Black olives can absolutely be cooked and incorporated into a variety of delicious recipes. Cooking black olives helps bring out their rich, complex flavor and makes them even more versatile in the kitchen. Here’s what you need to know about cooking with black olives.
Do black olives need to be cooked?
Most black olives that you find at the grocery store have already been cured and fermented, meaning they are edible and ready to eat right out of the can or jar. So technically, no additional cooking is required to eat black olives plain as a snack or incorporate them raw into recipes like salads, salsas, pizzas etc.
However, cooking black olives can intensify their flavor and allow them to blend more seamlessly into cooked preparations like pasta sauces, stews, casseroles and more. The heat helps soften the olives’ flesh and brings out their briny, robust taste.
What are some good ways to cook with black olives?
Here are some easy and delicious ways to cook with black olives:
- Sauté chopped or sliced black olives into pasta sauces, fajitas, stir fries etc.
- Add whole black olives to pizzas, flatbreads and paninis before baking.
- Simmer chopped black olives into hearty soups, chilis and stews.
- Skewer whole black olives and vegetables for easy grilled or roasted kebabs.
- Purée cooked black olives into dips, spreads and tapenades.
- Mix diced black olives into stuffings, polentas and risotto.
- Bake black olives into savory tarts, galettes and crostatas.
The possibilities are practically endless! Black olives pair especially well with Mediterranean and Middle Eastern inspired dishes.
How to cook black olives on the stovetop
It’s easy to cook black olives right on the stovetop to concentrate their flavor before adding to recipes:
- Rinse and drain the olives. Pat dry with paper towels.
- Heat a skillet over medium heat. Add a splash of olive oil.
- Add the olives and sauté for 2-3 minutes, until warmed through and slightly softened.
- Season with desired herbs and spices like garlic, red pepper flakes, oregano, thyme etc.
- Continue sautéing for another 1-2 minutes to toast the seasonings.
- Add the cooked olives to pizzas, pastas, stews and more!
How to roast black olives
Roasting is another easy hands-off way to cook black olives and condense their flavor. It also yields caramelized, crispy edges.
- Preheat oven to 400°F.
- Rinse and pat dry pitted black olives.
- Toss olives with a drizzle of olive oil, salt, pepper and any other desired seasonings.
- Spread seasoned olives on a parchment-lined baking sheet.
- Roast for 15-20 minutes, tossing halfway through, until juicy and caramelized.
- Allow to cool slightly before serving over salads, pizzas, pastas and more.
How long do cooked black olives last?
Cooked black olives will keep in the fridge for:
- Cooked black olive tapenade: 1 week
- Whole roasted or sautéed black olives: 5 days
For longer storage, cooked olives can be frozen for 2-3 months. Simply transfer to freezer bags or airtight containers after cooking.
Conclusion
Cooking black olives is a great way to maximize their bold, briny flavor. Sautéing, roasting and simmering all work well to concentrate their taste and make them more versatile in recipes. Store cooked olives in the fridge and enjoy them in pastas, pizzas, stews and more for up to a week.