When you’re in a hurry and realize you forgot to buy olives for your sandwich, what is a good substitute for olives?
I’m a big fan of cooking, but let’s face it. You won’t always have everything on hand, and sometimes you have to use creativity.
Olives are used in many recipes, but how exactly can you replace this delicious ingredient when you run out? Here are the tastiest and easiest alternatives to substitute for olives.
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What are olives
Olives are small, pickled fruits with a distinctively salty, sharp flavor.
They can be used as a garnish, eaten whole or chopped into pieces, and mixed into dishes such as salads, tapenade, pasta sauce, and more.
There are several varieties of olive, and they vary in color from bright red to greenish-black and everything in between.
Who doesn’t love olives? I think they are the perfect snacks to have on-hand whenever you’re looking for quick bites between meals.
They offer the perfect salty kick while being completely natural and nutrient-dense, making them an excellent option for anyone watching their waistline and overall nutrition.
But what if you ran out of olives?
These items you can substitute for olives when you’ve run out of them and don’t want to go to the grocery store.
Substitute for olives: What can you use instead of olives
Pickled tomatoes
Pickled tomatoes are a good alternative to olives as they can be used in similar ways. They have a great taste, and they can be added to your sandwiches, salads, or pizza.
Tomatoes are a great source of vitamins C, E, and A and minerals such as potassium, magnesium, and iron.
Capers
Capers are the unopened buds of a flowering shrub, Capparis spinosa, which grows in the Mediterranean.
They are most often sold pickled in brine or salt-packed.
Capers provide a salty bite valued in many dishes, particularly those of Mediterranean and Middle Eastern origin.
You can use capers as a substitute for olives. The flavor is similar, although the capers will be more pungent and salty.
Capers can substitute the olives in salads and pasta or add zing to roasted vegetables like cauliflower and potatoes.
Also, you can substitute 1/4 cup chopped capers for olives in homemade mayonnaise.
Marinated artichokes
Artichokes are packed with vitamins and minerals. Their high fiber content is good for your digestion.
There are various ways to use them, serve them as appetizers, add them to your sandwiches or salads.
They are available either in cans or jars and are a great addition to salads, pasta dishes, and pizzas.
Marinated artichoke hearts are packed with antioxidants, which can protect your cells from free radical damage, such as aging and cardiovascular disease.
They can also help reduce inflammation and pain associated with arthritis.
Artichokes contain vitamins A and C and minerals, but they’re also high in sodium, so enjoy them sparingly.
You can use artichoke hearts in a pesto as a substitute for olives.
Pickled peppers
If you are looking for a substitute for olives, pickled peppers are an excellent choice.
They are similar in appearance and have a similar taste, but pickled peppers tend to be less salty.
These peppers add a great flavor and texture to any dish. They can be used in salads and sandwiches or topping on pizza. Pickled peppers also make an excellent garnish.
Pickled peppers are a perfect substitute for people who do not like the taste of olives but want something similar.
These peppers come in many different varieties, and they can be used in so many different ways.
You can use pickled peppers in salads, sandwiches, and pasta dishes. They can also be chopped up and added to sauces for meats and vegetables.
Anchovies
Anchovies come in cans and get packed in oil.
They will add a salty flavor, so use sparingly! You can also chop anchovies to add to pasta sauces or pizza toppings in place of olives.
Anchovies can also add some of the olives’ texture, although they will never be quite as crisp.
If you plan to use anchovies as a substitute for olives, keep in mind that anchovies can be pretty intense and pungent.
Sun-dried tomatoes
Sun-dried tomatoes are dried tomatoes packed in oil and sold in jars. They are great to use as a topping on pizza, or they can be chopped up and added to salads, pasta, or sauces.
Sun-dried tomatoes have the same dark color, salty flavor, and chewy texture.
Pickled Onions
Olives are great, but they can be a little intense. If you’re looking for something slightly more mellow, try pickled onions.
Pickled onions are delicious on their own, but they also work well as a garnish on top of fish, steak, or anything else you want to make a little more interesting.
Mushrooms as a substitute for olives
If you like the mild tartness and salty flavor of olives but not their texture, mushrooms are a great substitute.
Mushrooms have a similar flavor profile, but they have a meaty texture, making them a popular meat substitute in vegetarian cooking.
If you’re making a sandwich with sliced black olives, try mushrooms instead of olives.
You can sautee them in extra virgin olive oil or use them as an appetizer.
Also, you can slice them to use on pizza toppings as a substitute for olives.
Blue Cheese
This cheese tends to be crumbly and robustly flavored, making it a good substitute for the strong flavor of olives in many dishes.
It is straightforward to use blue cheese. Add it to your dish or salad instead of the olives.
Overall, these are the best substitutes for olives.
The most significant takeaway here is that you don’t have to go without your favorite food if you don’t have an ingredient.
You can often find a great alternative that will help you enjoy your meal, even if you don’t have all the ingredients on hand.
