How to Make Smoked Olives?

Fruity olives, used in the kitchen in many forms, are also a beloved snack for many individuals. Some people also love having smoked olives, a special treat that makes your snack board extraordinary.

We agree that the joy of outdoor cooking and bringing finger-licking flavours to the table is a real passion. One of these joyful flavours is making smoked olives. If you enjoy experimenting with tastes and impressing guests with something different, learning to smoke olives is a fantastic skill to add to your cooking skills.

You are on the right track if you want to learn about this delightful snack for a quiet evening or introduce this tasty addition to your friends!

Selection of Smoker Type and Woods to Make Smoked Olives

Before you begin the smoking process, it is essential to have the right tools you will need to smoke your olives. Luckily, you might already own most of what you need if you enjoy outdoor cooking.

Your Smoker Type

The type of smoker you have will determine some of your steps, but all can be adapted for olives.

• Pellet Smokers: These are very popular and easy-to-use smokers. You fill them with wood pellets, set the temperature, and let the smoker do the rest.
  

• Electric Smoker: These are also quite simple to operate and offer reasonable temperature control. They use electric heat to produce smoke from wood chunks, making them a good choice for keeping a low, steady heat.
  

• Charcoal Smoker: These require more hands-on attention but can produce excellent smoky flavour. You can set up your charcoal around the edge for a standard grill, lighting only a few at one end. This allows the charcoal to burn slowly, giving you low, consistent heat for extended periods.
  

• Cold Smoke Generator: Cold smoking is ideal for olives to keep their texture firm. A cold smoke generator is a brilliant tool. It burns wood dust or pellets slowly and produces smoke without much heat. You can use it inside a larger grill or smoker to create a cold-smoke environment.

Your Choice of Smoking Wood

The type of wood you use will significantly influence the final flavour of your smoked olives. Different woods offer different smoke flavours. Although olives have a rich and fruity flavour, they get a perfect smoky flavour once paired with lighter, fruitier woods that will not overpower them.

You can always use apple or cherry tree wood, as they are sweeter, milder, and suitable for the smoky taste. You can also try oak or pecan wood for a medium smoky flavour that can add a nice depth without being too strong.

3 Steps to Make the Smoked Olives

The most fun part is getting your olives into the smoker. However, you must know the trick and the perfect technique to control the temperature carefully for the best results.

Step 1: Cold Smoking 

The cold-smoking method is generally preferred for smoked olives. Cold smoking means smoking at a very low temperature, ideally below 30°C. At this temperature, the olives do not cook; they only absorb the smoke flavour. This method helps the olives keep their original texture, which many individuals like.

Cold smoking typically requires a cold smoke generator that produces smoke without much heat. The smoking time for cold smoking can range from 1 to 3 hours, depending on how strong you want the smoky flavour to be.

Step 2: Setting Up Your Smoker

To prepare your smoker, load your chosen wooden chips, chunks, or pellets into it according to its instructions. Start your smoker and allow it to reach a stable, low temperature. This means ensuring only smoke is produced with minimal heat for cold smoking. Once the temperature is stable and the smoke is flowing, carefully place your rack of prepared olives inside the smoker.

Step 3: Smoking Time and Monitoring

For cold smoking, start with about one hour. After an hour, check the olives. They should have a slight change in colour and a gentle, smoky aroma. If you want a stronger flavour, continue smoking for another hour. But keep on checking in between. Most olives will be perfectly smoked after 1 to 3 hours of cold smoking.

However, if you want to opt for hot smoking, start with 30 minutes. After this time, check the olives. They will have a noticeable smoky scent. You might continue for another 15-30 minutes if you desire more smoke, but be very careful not to overcook them.

The trick is to look for a prominent colour change and to smell for a pleasant smoky aroma. Do not over-smoke them; too much smoke can make the olives taste bitter or like ash. A gentle smoke is usually best.

Finishing and Storing the Smoked Olives

Once your olives are beautifully smoked, there are a few steps to enhance their flavour and prepare them for storage.

Cooling

Remove the smoked olives from the smoker and let them cool completely on the wire rack at room temperature. This allows any remaining surface moisture to evaporate and helps the smoke's flavour settle completely.

Re-marinating for Perfect Flavour

Once your smoked olives have cooled, place them in a clean glass jar or an airtight container. Pour fresh, good-quality olive oil to cover them completely. Add fresh herbs, a few crushed garlic cloves, or a sprinkle of chilli flakes to this new olive oil marinade. This re-marination process infuses moisture into the olives and allows the smoke flavour to blend with the other tastes. You can also look for various spice collections at The Spice Trader to enhance the flavour of your smoked olives.

Storage and Resting Period

Seal the container tightly and store your smoked olives in the refrigerator. While they are ready to eat immediately, they taste even better after a 24 to 48-hour rest in the fridge. This allows the smoky flavour to settle within the olives. If you properly store them in olive oil in the refrigerator, they can last up to two weeks, sometimes longer.

Conclusion

Making smoked olives at home is a rewarding culinary experience that transforms a simple ingredient into something extraordinary. The process is quite approachable, whether you are an experienced chef or just starting your journey to try your hand at various dishes. You can create a flavourful, unique snack by carefully selecting your olives and wood, managing your smoker's temperature, and allowing for a brief rest.

These homemade smoked olives will enhance your taste buds with their deep, complex flavours and add a touch of gourmet flair to any occasion. So, gather the equipment you will use, choose your favourite olives from The Spice Trader, and prepare a delightful addition to your table!