15 Recipes for a Summer Cookout with California Ripe Olives

This round-up is brought to you in partnership with the California Olive Committee.

Dreaming up a menu for your next summer cookout? Look no further than one of our favorite pantry staples, olives.

The buttery, mild flavor of both California green and black ripe olives are a fantastic contrast to all of the smoky flavors coming off the grill this summer. You can chop them up into a quick tapenade to serve with chips, make a quick relish to spoon on top of burgers, or toss them with fresh summer vegetables in a pasta salad.

Here are fifteen recipes that put a can of olives to work, guaranteed to make your next cookout a memorable one!

1. California Red Potato and Olive Salad

Leave it to an actual California Ripe Olive grower to create a deliciously fresh spin on a cookout classic!

2. Cowboy Caviar

Again, California Ripe Olive growers know how to party—case in point, this Cowboy Caviar! This dip boasts a mix of tomatoes, green onions, black beans, and California Ripe Olives, and can be made in advance of your get-together.

3. California Ripe Olive and Meyer Lemon Tapenade

Ripe green olives team up with fresh Meyer lemons to make a dreamy grower-created dish.

4. Bacon Olive Appetizer

Cheese. Olives. Bacon. On a crunchy slice of toasted baguette. Do you really need any more convincing?!

5. California Salmon Burger

Tender grilled salmon burgers infused with olives are then topped with an easy arugula mixture.

6. Roasted Corn and Bean Salad

This would be the perfect side dish to serve with kebabs or steaks!

7. Avocado 'n' Olive Tostaditos

Can't go wrong with bite-sized nachos, right? Tortilla chips are topped with black olives, avocado, tomato, green onion, chilies, and (of course!) cheddar cheese.

8. Orzo with Black Olives and Feta

Put this one in your back-pocket for when extra guests show up and you need a super-fast and super-easy pasta salad to put on the picnic table.

9. San Francisco Grilled Sourdough Salad

Grilling the bread in this recipe would give the whole salad such an amazing smoky flavor.

10. Dijon Olive Coleslaw

Delicious pops of briny olives in every bite. This would be great with pulled pork.

11. Grilled Flank Steak with Avocado and Olive Salsa

The only thing that could possibly be better than grilled steak is grilled steak topped with a quick salsa of avocado and olives!

12. Mediterranean Tomato Bruschetta

This is such an easy and elegant appetizer. Make the tomato, olive, and feta topping ahead of time, then assemble the toasts just before guests arrive.

13. Grilled Summer Corn Salad

This salad has the best of summer all on one plate.

14. California Style Grilled Pizzetta

Simple and delicious. This would make a great appetizer for keeping guests happy while the burgers are cooking!

15. Black Olive, Red Pepper, and Cucumber Salad

This could be a refreshing side salad on its own or serve as a relish for grilled fish.