Olives are rarely the star of a meal, but they ought to be—especially Castelvetrano olives, which are my favorite. Buttery and tender with a nice bite, I love them as a flavor-maker for Tapenade, Greek Sheet Pan Chicken, and Italian Potato Salad, just to name a few. But what if we gave them their chance to shine, dressing them whole with a few beloved Mediterranean pantry staples, like spicy Urfa biber and sweet-tangy Pomegranate molasses? The result is a totally unexpected, elegant salad that takes about 5 minutes to make. And while olive salad may have you thinking of Muffaletta sandwiches, you’ll want to eat this one all on its own: briny, lemony, bold but not too overpowering, and completely addictive.
Olive Salad Ingredients and Substitutions
I wanted to give this olive salad a very strong Mediterranean flavor, so I used many go-to ingredients from my Mediterranean pantry that might not be essentials to you (yet!). Happily, there are easy substitutions if necessary. You’ll need:
For the Salad
Olives: I love Castelvetrano olives, which are nicely firm, buttery, and not too assertive. I would not recommend your standard canned black olives here, but another high-quality variety like Taggiasca could work, or use a mixture of different types of olives. Shallots are nicely mild and sweet, which goes well with the briny olives without overpowering. If you need to substitute, go for another mild allium variety like red onions or scallions. One small clove of finely grated garlic could also work. Tomato adds a welcome freshness. Go for a variety that’s rather firm when ripe, like Roma. Bell pepper adds a nice crunch and bright summery flavor. Yellow or orange work best, as they’re in between earthy and sweet. Parsley and mint add a refreshing quality not to be missed! I would not substitute with dried herbs, but other tender herbs would work, like basil, cilantro, or dill. Walnuts add a lovely crunch, and complement the similar buttery flavor of the olives. Any nut you like works here, like pine nuts, almonds, or pistachios.
For the Dressing
Pomegranate molasses and fresh lemon juice add a good hit of acidity and sweet-tart flavor. Extra virgin olive oil ties everything together. A high quality extra virgin variety is essential for a pleasant flavor. I love our smooth Italian Nocellara for a milder option, or our peppery Spanish Hojiblanca for a more robust approach. Urfa Biber adds an earthy, mildly sweet and spicy kick. READ MORE: Urfa Biber: The Turkish Chili Pepper You Want In Your Spice Drawer TRY IT: Stock up at our shop. BEST SUBSTITUTE: Aleppo pepper or standard red chili flakes. Sweet Spanish paprika adds a mild, sweet pepper flavor. Cumin adds a warming, earthy, and aromatic quality. You can stock up on both at our spice shop.
Ingredient Spotlight
Pomegranate molasses is a sweet-tart syrup made by concentrating pomegranate juice. It’s a key ingredient in the dressing, as it adds body and a subtle sweetness that is balanced by the briny olives and citrus from the lemon juice. It’s what makes this olive salad so special.
READ MORE: Our guide to Pomegranate Molasses, including how to make it from scratch and our favorite ways to use it. TRY IT: If making it from scratch isn’t your thing, we offer 100% natural Pomegranate Molasses from O-Florale in our shop. Use it in this olive salad recipe or to make Fesenjan, a Persian walnut chicken dish. BEST SUBSTITUTE: This is not always the case, but Balsamic Glaze would be a good substitute in this recipe.
How to Make Olive Salad
There are only three steps to make this olive salad recipe. Feel free to taste as you go and play with the amounts for each of the flavor-makers.
Make the dressing. In a large mixing bowl, combine 3 tablespoons of pomegranate molasses, the juice of 1 lemon, 1 teaspoon Urfa biber, 1/2 teaspoon paprika, and 1/2 teaspoon cumin. Whisk as you drizzle in enough oil to make a nicely emulsified dressing, about 1/4 cup. Make the salad. In the same bowl with the dressing, add 2 cups pitted Castelvetrano olives, 2 chopped shallots, 1 chopped tomato, 1 chopped bell pepper, and 1/2 cup each chopped parsley, mint, and walnuts. Mix well with a spoon. Enjoy! Transfer to a platter and serve immediately, or cover and refrigerate for up to 3 days.
What to Serve with Olive Salad
Castelvetrano olives go particularly well with fish. For a light, summery meal that packs a flavor punch, serve with Greek-Style Roasted Branzino or Baked Trout with Lemon, Garlic, and Fresh Herbs. For a vegetarian feast, salty-creamy-tangy feta cheese is a great match for the olives. Serve with Whole Roasted Cauliflower with Lemony Whipped Feta and plenty of Pita Bread to go around. Browse All Mediterranean Recipes
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