Herb Roasted Olives with Burrata Recipe

If you love those moments when a warm, fragrant dish appears at the table and everyone lights up, Herb Roasted Olives with Burrata is about to become your new signature appetizer. This easy Mediterranean-inspired recipe brings together briny, roasted olives, silky burrata, and a swirl of aromatic herbs and citrus, all ready for a shower of fresh herbs and toasted bread for scooping. It’s glorious in its simplicity and yet so full of flavor – it will steal the show at any gathering, whether you’re planning a festive dinner or an impromptu happy hour with friends.

Ingredients You’ll Need

The beauty of Herb Roasted Olives with Burrata is its reliance on just a handful of incredible ingredients. Each element plays a distinct role: olives give briny depth, burrata brings irresistible creaminess, and a mix of aromatics and herbs elevates every bite with color and perfume. Here’s what you’ll need to make this dish sing.

• Mixed Olives (2 cups): Use a blend of green and black, pitted for easy eating and a pop of color.
• Garlic (4 cloves, peeled and smashed): Adds a sweet, mellow richness to the oil as it roasts.
• Yellow Onion (1 small, thinly sliced): Caramelizes in the oil, lending a subtle sweetness to the dish.
• Fresh Rosemary (1 sprig): Gives woodsy aroma and flavor that infuse the olives beautifully.
• Fresh Thyme (3 sprigs): Brings a bright, herbal note that complements the olives.
• Lemon Peels (from 1 lemon): Adds lively citrus fragrance and flavor – peel them thin for best results.
• Red Pepper Flakes (½ teaspoon): For a gentle kick; adjust to your heat preference.
• Extra Virgin Olive Oil (⅔ cup): The golden base that ties it all together and becomes utterly delicious when roasted.
• Burrata Cheese (2-3 balls, room temperature): The creamy star—let it come to room temp for the best ooze factor.
• Fresh Dill and Basil (to garnish): Don’t skip these—they bring brightness and a fresh finish.
• Bakery Bread (focaccia, ciabatta, or baguette, sliced and toasted): Essential for scooping and savoring every last drop of infused oil and cheese.

How to Make Herb Roasted Olives with Burrata

Step 1: Preheat and Prepare the Burrata

Start by preheating your oven to 450°F so it’s blazing hot and ready to work magic. Remove the burrata from its liquid, gently pat it dry with a paper towel, and set it aside – letting it come to room temperature means ultimate creaminess when it’s married with the warm olives.

Step 2: Prep the Olives

Drain your mixed olives well, whether they came packed in oil or brine. For texture and visual appeal, slice or roughly chop half of them while leaving the rest whole. This mix of shapes and sizes makes the final dish more interesting and scoopable.

Step 3: Assemble the Roasting Pan

In your oven-safe baking dish, combine the prepared olives, smashed garlic cloves, sliced onion, sprigs of rosemary and thyme, strips of lemon peel, and red pepper flakes. Pour the extra virgin olive oil over everything, ensuring the oil pools at least halfway up the olives—a little extra oil is totally welcome if needed.

Step 4: Roast Until Sizzling and Fragrant

Slide your dish into the oven and roast for about 30 minutes. About halfway through (at the 15-minute mark), give everything a gentle stir to ensure even roasting. You’re looking for golden garlic, sizzling oil, and irresistible fragrance filling your kitchen.

Step 5: Add the Burrata and Finish

Once the olives are roasted to perfection, carefully nestle the burrata balls into the hot olive mixture. Use a spoon to gently break open the burrata so the luscious interior spills out—just be careful of the hot oil at this stage.

Step 6: Garnish and Serve

Top everything with torn or chopped fresh dill and basil for a blast of color and flavor. Spoon the beautiful Herb Roasted Olives with Burrata onto toasted slices of focaccia, ciabatta, or baguette and get ready for pure perfection in every bite.

How to Serve Herb Roasted Olives with Burrata

Garnishes

Herb Roasted Olives with Burrata shines brightest with a flutter of fresh herbs. A scatter of dill and basil over the top doesn’t just add color; it wakes up the entire dish with freshness and a hint of floral, herbal sparkle. You could also add thin shavings of lemon zest or an extra pinch of red pepper flakes for a dramatic finish.

Side Dishes

This appetizer is at home with any Mediterranean-inspired spread. Pair it with marinated vegetables, crisp salads, or a platter of cured meats for a full antipasti vibe. Even a simple tomato salad or a dish of roasted nuts makes an easygoing complement.

Creative Ways to Present

Take Herb Roasted Olives with Burrata beyond the expected—serve it in a rustic cast-iron skillet straight from the oven for a dramatic, crowd-pleasing look. For smaller gatherings, try individual ramekins, or swirl it onto a platter with plenty of bread slices trailing around the edge. You can even spoon everything over grilled flatbread for a more substantial appetizer.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

If you’re lucky enough to have leftovers, simply cover and refrigerate the olives (burrata and all) in an airtight container for up to a week. The flavors mingle and deepen, making each spoonful even more delicious the next day.

Freezing

While the olives and herbed oil can technically be frozen, you’ll want to enjoy the burrata fresh for the best texture. If needed, freeze the roasted olive mixture by itself, then thaw gently in the fridge and add fresh burrata before serving.

Reheating

To revive Herb Roasted Olives with Burrata, pop the olives (without the burrata) into a 450°F oven until the oil is bubbling and the aromas return—usually about 10 minutes. Add the fresh burrata and garnishes after reheating for that signature creamy finish.

FAQs

Can I use a different cheese if I can’t find burrata?

Absolutely! While burrata is unbeatable for creaminess, you could use fresh mozzarella, stracciatella, or even a dollop of whipped ricotta in a pinch. Just make sure to serve it at room temperature for the best melting texture alongside the warm herb roasted olives.

What kind of olives work best for this recipe?

Any high-quality pitted olive will work, so go for a colorful mix—think Castelvetrano, Kalamata, Sicilian, or even buttery green olives. The blend brings depth and makes the dish both visually mouthwatering and full of different flavors.

Can I make Herb Roasted Olives with Burrata on the grill?

Yes! If you have a heatproof dish (like cast-iron), you can absolutely roast your olives and aromatics right on the grill for a smokier twist. Just cover loosely with foil and check often—the oil will soak up some delicious, subtle grilled flavor.

Is this recipe vegetarian and gluten-free?

Herb Roasted Olives with Burrata is naturally vegetarian. To make it gluten-free, simply serve with gluten-free bread or crisp vegetables for dipping—the rest of the recipe is already gluten-free.

What’s the best way to pit olives if I buy them whole?

If you only have whole olives, gently smash each with the flat side of a chef’s knife, then pry out the pit. It’s a little messy but totally worth it for that fresh, vibrant olive flavor in every bite.

Final Thoughts

There’s nothing like sharing Herb Roasted Olives with Burrata around a table of friends or family. It’s rustic, impressive, and totally irresistible—trust me, people will be asking you for the recipe before they’ve even finished their first bite. Give it a try and watch it disappear!

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