Aperol-Marinated Olives with Lemon and Herbs
A vibrant Italian appetizer featuring olives steeped in Aperol, brightened with lemon and fresh herbs for a perfect aperitivo bite. This mediterranean-inspired salads ready in about 10 minutes pairs mixed olives, Aperol, extra-virgin olive oil into a side that holds its own next to almost any main — bright, balanced, and quick enough to slot into a weeknight plate. Each serving lands at about 98 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly next to roasted proteins, grain bowls, or weeknight mains. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 1 cup mixed olives
- 1/4 cup Aperol
- 2 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil
- 1 tbsp fresh rosemary
- 1 garlic cloves
- 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes
- 1/4 cup lemon juice
Instructions
- Step 1: Finely chop 1 tbsp fresh rosemary and mince 1 garlic clove. In a small bowl, whisk together 1/4 cup Aperol, 2 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil, chopped rosemary, minced garlic, and 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes.
- Step 2: Add 1 cup mixed olives to the bowl and toss gently until fully coated. Cover and let marinate at room temperature for 60 minutes.
- Step 3: Stir in 1/4 cup lemon juice and let sit for 15 minutes to meld flavors. Transfer to a serving bowl and serve chilled as an appetizer.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Aperol-Marinated Olives with Lemon and Herbs take to make?
Total time is about 10 minutes (10 min prep + 0 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.
How do I store leftover Aperol-Marinated Olives with Lemon and Herbs?
Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep mixed olives from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Aperol-Marinated Olives with Lemon and Herbs?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Aperol-Marinated Olives with Lemon and Herbs for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
What goes well with Aperol-Marinated Olives with Lemon and Herbs?
Mediterranean salads like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.
What others are saying
- ★★★★★
Doubled the garlic (as one does) and it was amazing.
- ★★★★☆
Really good but took about 10 minutes longer than stated.
- ★★★★☆
My family liked it. I personally would prefer more depth of flavor.
