Olive trees are one of the oldest trees cultivated by humans. Their small pickled fruits called olives are a favorite part of many recipes around the globe. Olive oil is also very well-known for its variety of health benefits.
Well, this article is all about olives and their potential substitutes!
Olives make great salads and sandwiches. They are also found on your pizza toppings and in cocktails. Their salty taste makes them a part of various sauces and dips too.
But if you don’t like olives or are allergic to them, that doesn’t mean you’ve to give up on all these dishes. You can opt for its substitutes. If you are confused about what alternatives to use, this article will help.
We’ve put together a list of the best substitutes for green olives. Have a look!
What are olives?
Olives, as mentioned above, are the fruit of the olive tree. They are usually small, round, and available in green or black color. The color changes with their maturity. The black ones are fully ripe and milder as compared to the green ones.
Untreated olives have a bitter taste so when they are picked, they are either pressed to make olive oil or pickled to be eaten and used in recipes. Pickling involves preserving them in salt and brine so that their shelf life can be increased and the taste can be enhanced. Pickling imparts a salty-to-moderate-to-sweet taste making olives fit into your favorite dishes like anything!
Additionally, olives are rich in healthy fats, iron, copper, vitamin E, and calcium. Thus, they can offer you various health benefits. For instance, the antioxidant potential of olives is well-known as it ensures protection against heart issues and various other chronic diseases.
However, if you don’t like them, you can still acquire these benefits via the best substitutes that we’ve got you.
Substitutes for Green Olives
Here are some substitutes for green olives. You can look for them in your nearest markets and they’ll, most probably, be easily accessible.
#1 Capers
First of all, we have the closest substitute on our list i.e. capers.
Both capers and green olives, look remarkably the same and have the same briny taste. If you are wondering what is that, so it is a mix of a little sour, salty, lemony, and meaty flavor.
If not capers, you can also go for caperberries. They both come from the same plant and can work equally well in place of green olives. The only difference between the two is that the berries are usually fully ripe while the capers are still immature buds. However, they both are a good fit and can be used in a similar manner.
Since capers or caperberries are the closest in taste, texture, and flavor to green olives. Their briny flavors won’t make you miss the essence of green olives in your salads and martinis.
You might be interested: Top alternative to Olive oil
#2 Artichoke hearts
Artichokes, prepared for consumption, usually come in jars with an acidic and salty marinade. Thus, they taste similar to pickled or brined olives in flavor. Also, this veggie goes well with creamy, bubbly foods like artichoke parmesan dip.
Food experts often recommend adding some salt and vinegar to your dish when adding artichoke hearts. It may help balance the slightly bitter, hearty, earthy, and umami flavor of the vegetable. However, you might need to reduce the quantity by half because artichokes are bigger than olives.
Additionally, artichoke hearts are rich in fiber, vitamin C, and vitamin K so they don’t work for the taste only but are awesome for imparting nutrients to your food also.
#3 Anchovies
Anchovies are small forage fish commonly found in saltwater. They are usually used as human food and typically come cured with salt, filleted, or canned in oil.
Anchovies may seem like an unusual alternative to olives but have a similar briny flavor so can work well in the latter’s place. However, it must be noted that the untreated fish is very salty and fishy and can be overwhelming if not balanced well.
Anchovies work great for pizza toppings but even the tiniest amount can give you a strong olive-like effect. So, be careful with the quantity.
#4 Pickled peppers
If you don’t mind a little spice in your food, you can swap out the olives for pickled peppers!
When it comes to peppers, there are various options to choose from. Some of them are hotter while others are sweeter than others. Now it depends on your preferences if you choose milder or hotter ones.
Pickled peppers perform well on cheese crackers, sandwiches, salads, pizza, and other dishes. They taste similarly savory, salty, and sour, but with a fiery bite. These are also tasty as finger snacks or appetizers.
Naturally, they are rich in fiber, vitamins A, C, and folic acid. Thus, besides a spicy kick, they can be a healthy addition to your diet as well.
#5 Pickled onions
Looking for a little extra heat to go with the salt and sourness? Try pickled onions, and you will be surprised. They have a sharp, emotive impact, especially when pickled.
Eat them with some crusty French bread and cheese of your choice, and pesto! It is the ideal appetizer for your unique celebration.
You can also add pickled onions to stir-fried foods for more taste. However, they are best enjoyed on their own and are very tasty when used in salads and burgers. They are another excellent pickled vegetable substitute for olives and are quite simple to prepare at home.
Pickled onions have a strong flavor and a touch of fire. And surely shouldn’t be missed.
If you are interested we covered: Best Alternative For Onions.
#6 Pickled tomatoes
Another simple substitute for green olives is pickled tomatoes. They work great for the black ones too.
Just when you think the tomatoes in your fridge are going bad, pickle them to preserve them. It will not only protect the tomatoes but also modify them to add flavor to a variety of dishes.
The vinegar and spices, when infused with the tomatoes, make them a tasty addition to your salads, sandwiches, etc. Grape or cherry tomatoes are the best to serve the purpose.
However, the flavor might be a little different like a mix of sweet and tart when you substitute tomatoes for olives. So, consider using them when you expect a tangy bright flavor in your recipe.
#7 Dill pickles
Dill pickles, of course, complete the pickled food group. And whether homemade or purchased, they are a fantastic alternative to olives.
Dill pickles are nothing but pickled cucumbers where the vegetable is immersed in vinegar, brine, or other solution and allowed to ferment.
They complement cheese beautifully. Additionally, they work well for charcuterie boards and sandwiches.
See also: Best Substitute for Avocado
#8 Mushrooms
If you are not fond of briny or pickled vegetables, mushrooms can be a perfect olive alternative for you!
Mushrooms are much similar to olives having a buttery and juicy texture. However, they have a milder flavor and a warmer aroma. So, you might like them more as compared to olives!
For an even better taste, you can dress up your mushroom toppings with vinegar or lemon juice. They work great for pizzas and pastas. For salads, we recommend using pickled mushrooms because they taste better than the untreated ones
Additionally, mushrooms offer one of the lowest-calorie sources of protein and antioxidants. Thus, they help to alleviate the risk of various chronic diseases.
#9 Green Peppercorns
Peppercorns, especially green ones, can also be used as an alternative for green olives. They are usually harvested before the black peppercorns and thus have a much less intense flavor.
Green peppercorns look much similar to green olives and work great for garnishing fish. If you don’t like the salty olive flavor, use green peppercorns. They will provide you with a milder flavor without disrupting the balance of your recipe.
Green peppercorns are usually rich in vitamins like C and K, which are potent antioxidants and can help lower the concentration of free radicals and lessen the risks of free-radical damage.
#10 Blue cheese
Last but not the least, blue cheese is one of the most potent alternatives for olives. All thanks to its meaty, savory, and salty taste that make it a great fit for pizzas, salads, and sandwiches.
It must be noted that as the blue cheese ages, it develops an unexpected degree of pungency which might alter its taste. So, be careful before using an older product.
Even though the flavor and taste of blue cheese are much similar to olives, they still have a different texture. But blue cheese replaces the latter well in many dishes without compromising on taste and nutrition!