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Ever opened a jar of olives or a little tin of capers and felt like your snack game just leveled up? You're not alone. Olives and capers are tiny flavor powerhouses — salty, tangy, sometimes briny, sometimes buttery — and they can pull together a simple weeknight meal or turn a cocktail tray into something restaurant-worthy. Whether you’re topping a pizza, stirring up a martini, making a tapenade, or jazzing up a salad, these small ingredients pack a big punch. Let’s walk through where to buy them, what to look for, and how to make the most of every jar and tin.
Not all grocery stores are created equal when it comes to olives and capers. Some offer huge selection and specialty imports; others are great for value and everyday picks. Below are reliable places to shop, including the retailer mentioned in the provided data and other popular US chains that cater to different budgets and needs.
Walmart is a go-to if you want reliable brands at affordable prices. You’ll find multi-pack snack olives, jarred Castelvetrano or Kalamata olives, and popular stuffed varieties like blue cheese or garlic. Walmart often carries small single-serve packs or multi-packs that are convenient for lunches and on-the-go snacking. If you’re watching the budget or stocking up for a party, Walmart’s selection covers both basics and some specialty items in 6 oz to 34 oz jars and multi-pack sizes.
Love quirky labels and great value? Trader Joe’s is famous for its private-label offerings, from castelvetrano beauties to tapenade-ready olive medleys. Their olives often come in generous jar sizes at a price that feels like a win. Trader Joe’s also rotates seasonal items — keep an eye out for limited-edition stuffed olives or special marinades.
If you’re after gourmet or organic olives and capers, Whole Foods is a solid bet. Expect more imported varieties, olive bars where you can scoop exactly what you want by weight, and higher-grade capers in jars or tins. Whole Foods is ideal when you want freshness, provenance, or unusual regional picks such as Spanish Manzanilla or Sicilian Castelvetranos.
Kroger, Fred Meyer, Ralphs and other affiliated stores blend value and variety. You’ll find mainstream brands, store-brand jars, and occasionally specialty lines. These stores are great if you want both affordable basics and a few premium options in the same trip, with jar sizes typically ranging from 3 oz tins to 24 oz jars.
Hosting a party? Costco’s bulk jars and multi-packs are cost-effective. You can score large 2 lb-plus containers of cured olives or multi-jar packs that keep the price per ounce low. Bulk purchases are excellent if you make tapenade often or entertain frequently, just remember to transfer opened olive jars to smaller airtight containers if you won’t finish them soon.
Target balances accessibility and trend-friendly items. Their supermarket aisles and online selection include familiar brands and sometimes exclusive flavors. Target is a handy option for quick restocks or picking up specialty stuffed olives without going to a big specialty grocer.
Regional chains like Publix in the Southeast or Safeway in parts of the West often carry well-curated selections tailored to local tastes. These stores are great if you want to support a regional grocer that likely stocks both everyday olives and a few local or imported specialties.
Online shopping is perfect when you want something specific, like a particular Sicilian olive or capers in sea salt rather than vinegar. Amazon, specialty importers, and culinary shops ship jars and tins nationwide. Look for clear product descriptions and jar sizes: 3.5 oz tins of capers and 10 oz to 34 oz olive jars are common online offerings.
Not all olives are created equal. Once you get familiar with a few types, you’ll instinctively reach for the right jar based on what you’re making.
Castelvetranos are bright green, buttery, and low in bitterness. They’re fantastic as a snack, in a salad, or tucked onto a cheese board. If you want olives that tempt picky eaters, these are your best bet.
Dark, meaty, and often packed in olive oil or vinegar, Kalamata olives bring pronounced flavor to Greek salads, pastas, and stews. They’re great chopped into sauces or eaten on their own when you crave intensity.
Manzanilla olives are firm and slightly bitter — great for martinis or tapas. Stuffed Manzanillas (pimiento, garlic, blue cheese) make for fun cocktail or snack garnishes.
Gaeta olives are small and tangy, often used in sauces and baking. Cerignola olives are large and mild, excellent for stuffing and serving whole on a charcuterie board.
Black-ripe olives are cured to be mild and tender; oil-cured olives are intensely savory and wrinkled. Use oil-cured olives sparingly for flavor depth, and black-ripe for pizza or sandwiches.
Capers are flower buds, cured and salted or packed in brine, and they add lemony, tangy notes that brighten dishes. They’re indispensable in puttanesca, chicken piccata, and many Mediterranean recipes. You’ll find them in small jars or tins, usually in 2 oz to 4 oz sizes — a little goes a long way.
Picking the right jar at the store makes a big difference. Here are practical things I check before tossing a jar into my cart.
Clear brine without heavy sediment is a good sign. If the brine is cloudy or the olives look excessively soft, the texture might disappoint. Also check if the olives are submerged fully — exposed olives can dry out and lose flavor.
Whole olives last longer and look great on platters. Pitted olives are convenient for cooking. Stuffed olives add instant character (cheese, garlic, or pimiento), but they’re not ideal if you need pitted fruit for recipes that require removing an additional fill.
Compare jar net weight in ounces — a 10 oz jar often contains less olive flesh than a label implies because of brine. For bulk needs, look at per-ounce pricing. For small households, single-serve or smaller 3 oz–8 oz jars avoid waste.
If provenance matters to you, look for origin labels like “Product of Spain” or “Packed in Italy.” Some jars use preservatives; if you prefer minimal additives, check the ingredient list for simple entries: olives, water, salt, citric acid, and olive oil.
Let’s get practical. Here are dishes and uses where olives and capers shine — from 5-minute hacks to party-worthy recipes.
Blend 4 oz of pitted Kalamata or mixed olives with 1 oz capers, a clove of garlic, 2 tbsp olive oil, and a squeeze of lemon. Spread on crostini or stir into pasta for an instant flavor boost.
Sear chicken breasts, then make a pan sauce with butter, 2 oz capers, lemon juice, and white wine. The capers cut through the richness and make the sauce sing.
Stuffed green olives on a skewer are the classic martini garnish. For a Bloody Mary, use a mix: an olive, a pickle, and a pepper for contrast. Single-serve olive packs are great for to-go cocktails.
Slice Castelvetranos into a Greek salad, scatter black olives on pizza, or toss chopped olives into a grain bowl. Little additions like a tablespoon or two can radically lift texture and flavor.
Storage is simpler than you might think, but a few habits keep your olives tasty for weeks.
Store unopened jars in a cool, dry pantry. Most commercially packed olives and capers have a shelf life measured in months to a couple years; always check the date stamped on the lid.
Once opened, keep olives submerged in their brine or oil and store in the refrigerator. Use within 2 to 4 weeks for best texture and flavor; stronger brine or extra virgin olive oil preserves them a bit longer. For bulk jars, transfer to smaller airtight containers to reduce air exposure.
Freezing is possible for cooked dishes with olives, but whole olives left in brine can become mushy when thawed. If you must freeze, plan to use them in cooked recipes where texture matters less.
Olives and capers aren’t just tasty; they bring nutritional perks. Olives are a source of healthy monounsaturated fats, and capers have antioxidant properties. A typical serving of olives (about 1 oz, roughly 6–8 small olives) contains around 40–50 calories and contributes heart-healthy fats and vitamin E. Capers are low in calories but high in flavor — use sparingly for maximum impact.
Deciding where to spend depends on how you use olives. If you’re making tapenade or want authentic imported flavor for a special dinner, splurge on a jar of artisanal Castelvetrano or hand-packed capers from a reputable importer. For daily snacking, sandwiches, or cocktails, budget-friendly jars from big retailers work perfectly. Stores like Walmart and Target offer excellent value, while Whole Foods, specialty shops, and online importers carry higher-end options and rarer varieties.
Before you head out, tuck this quick checklist in your pocket: check jar size in ounces, confirm whether olives are pitted or whole, look at the brine clarity, note the origin if provenance matters, and compare per-ounce price for the best value. That simple routine saves money and reduces unpleasant surprises when you open the jar at home.
Presentation can turn everyday olives into an elegant offering. Rinse capers briefly if they’re very salty, pat olives dry to reduce brine on the platter, and add a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil and a sprinkle of fresh herbs. Serve with pale crackers, soft cheeses, and a bowl of almonds for a balanced tasting ring that invites conversation and second helpings.
Olives and capers are tiny grocery items with huge culinary return on investment. With a bit of know-how about varieties, storage, and smart shopping, you can keep your pantry stocked for everything from quick weeknight dinners to impressive entertaining. Ready to give your next dish a briny kick?
Conclusion: Olives and capers transform the ordinary into the remarkable. Whether you pick up a budget-friendly jar at Walmart, explore Trader Joe’s interesting labels, or splurge on imported Castelvetranos at Whole Foods, a little goes a long way. Keep a few jars on hand, experiment with recipes, and soon you’ll reach for them as naturally as salt and pepper.
