Jamie Oliver’s caponata recipe is a delicious and vibrant vegetable dish that originates from Sicily, Italy. This flavorful dish is made with eggplant, celery, onions, tomatoes, capers, olives, and a sweet and sour sauce that’s made with vinegar and sugar. The dish is typically served as a side dish or appetizer and can be enjoyed warm or cold. With its bold flavors and colorful presentation, caponata is sure to impress your friends and family.
More Recipes From us:
💓 Why You’ll Love This Jamie Oliver Caponata Recipe
You’ll love Jamie Oliver’s caponata recipe for several reasons:
- It’s packed with flavor: With a variety of vegetables, capers, and olives, this dish is bursting with flavor. The sweet and sour sauce adds an extra layer of complexity to the dish, making it a taste sensation.
- It’s versatile: Caponata can be served as a side dish, appetizer, or even a main course with the addition of some protein, such as grilled chicken or fish.
- It’s healthy: Caponata is a vegetarian dish that’s packed with nutrients and fiber, making it a healthy addition to your diet.
- It’s easy to make: Jamie Oliver’s caponata recipe is straightforward and easy to follow, making it accessible to home cooks of all skill levels.
- It’s a crowd-pleaser: The vibrant colors and bold flavors of caponata make it an impressive dish to serve to guests. It’s sure to be a hit at your next dinner party or potluck.
What Is Jamie Oliver Caponata Recipe?
Jamie Oliver’s Caponata recipe is a traditional Sicilian dish that features eggplant as the star ingredient. This flavorful dish is made by cooking diced eggplant until it’s golden brown and tender, then combining it with celery, onions, tomatoes, capers, and olives. The vegetables are then cooked together until they are soft and flavorful, and a sweet and sour sauce made with vinegar and sugar is added to the mix. The caponata is typically served at room temperature as a side dish or appetizer, but can also be used as a topping for crostini or served alongside grilled meats. Jamie Oliver’s recipe includes a few unique touches, such as the addition of pine nuts and raisins for a bit of crunch and sweetness.

🍝 Ingredients
- 2 large eggplants, diced
- 2 celery stalks, diced
- 1 onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tbsp tomato puree
- 2 tbsp capers, drained
- 1/2 cup pitted black olives, roughly chopped
- 1/4 cup pine nuts, toasted
- 1/4 cup raisins
- 1/2 cup red wine vinegar
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup water
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- Olive oil, for cooking

🔪How To Make Jamie Oliver Caponata
- Heat a large pan over medium-high heat and add 2-3 tablespoons of olive oil. Once hot, add the diced eggplant and cook until golden brown and tender, stirring occasionally.
- Remove the eggplant from the pan and set it aside. In the same pan, add a bit more olive oil if necessary, and add the diced celery and onion. Cook for a few minutes until they start to soften.
- Add the minced garlic and tomato puree and cook for another minute or two, stirring constantly.
- Add the capers, olives, pine nuts, and raisins to the pan and stir to combine.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together the red wine vinegar, sugar, water, salt, and pepper until the sugar has dissolved.
- Add the eggplant back to the pan and pour the vinegar mixture over the top. Stir everything together to combine.
- Reduce the heat to low and simmer for 30-40 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables are soft and the sauce has thickened. Allow the caponata to cool to room temperature before serving.
💭Recipe Tips
Here are some tips to help you make Jamie Oliver’s Caponata recipe:
- Use good-quality eggplant: The key to a delicious caponata is using fresh and flavorful eggplant. Look for eggplants that are firm and heavy for their size, with shiny skin and no blemishes.
- Salt the eggplant: Salting the eggplant before cooking can help to remove any bitterness and excess moisture. Simply sprinkle salt over the diced eggplant and let it sit for 30 minutes before rinsing and patting dry.
- Toast the pine nuts: Toasting the pine nuts in a dry pan for a few minutes before adding them to the caponata will bring out their nutty flavor and add an extra layer of crunch.
- Adjust the sweetness: The amount of sugar in the recipe can be adjusted to your liking. If you prefer a sweeter caponata, add a bit more sugar. If you prefer it less sweet, reduce the amount of sugar.
- Let it rest: Caponata is best when it’s allowed to rest for a few hours before serving, as this allows the flavors to meld together. It can also be made a day in advance and stored in the refrigerator until ready to serve.
- Serve at room temperature: Caponata is traditionally served at room temperature, so be sure to let it cool down before serving. This will also give the flavors a chance to develop and intensify.
By following these tips, you’ll be able to make a delicious and flavorful Jamie Oliver Caponata that’s sure to impress!

🍴 What To Serve With Caponata?
Caponata is a versatile dish that can be served in many different ways. Here are some ideas for what to serve with caponata:
Caponata is a versatile dish that can be served in many different ways. Experiment with different combinations to find your favorite way to enjoy this delicious and flavorful dish.
🥶 How To Store Leftovers
Here are some ways to store leftover caponata:
- In the refrigerator: Caponata can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to five days. Be sure to allow the caponata to cool to room temperature before storing it in the refrigerator.
- In the freezer: If you have leftover caponata that you won’t be able to eat within five days, it can be stored in the freezer for up to three months. Simply place the caponata in a freezer-safe container or zip-top bag and freeze.
- In individual portions: To make it easy to grab a quick meal or snack, you can divide the leftover caponata into individual portions and store them in separate containers in the refrigerator or freezer.
🌡️ How To Reheat Leftovers
Here are some ways to reheat leftover caponata:
Regardless of the method you choose, be sure to reheat the caponata gently over low heat to prevent the vegetables from becoming mushy. You can also add a bit of fresh herbs or a squeeze of lemon juice to brighten up the flavors before serving.
FAQ Section
What type of vinegar is used in Caponata?
Vinegar derived from red wine has been used for the traditional preparation of caponata; however, vinegar derived from white wine or vinegar prepared from apple cider are also suitable alternatives.
Can Caponata be made ahead of time?
The answer to your question is “yes,” caponata can be made ahead of time and stored in the refrigerator until it is time to serve it.
Can you add meat to Caponata?
Although caponata is often made without the use of meat, certain variations of the dish, such as those made with anchovies or tuna, may instead include fish or other types of seafood.
Can Caponata be used as a topping for pizza?
Yes, Caponata can be used as a topping for pizza. It is a great way to add a unique flavor to your pizza, and it pairs well with other ingredients such as cheese, olives, and peppers.
Is Caponata gluten free?
Yes, Caponata is typically gluten free. As long as you use gluten free ingredients, such as gluten free vinegar, then the dish will be gluten free.
Try More Recipes:
Jamie Oliver Caponata Nutrition Fact
- Calories: 110
- Total Fat: 6 g
- Cholesterol: 0 mg
- Sodium: 340 mg
- Total Carbohydrates: 14 g
- Dietary Fiber: 3 g
- Sugars: 6 g
- Protein: 2 g
- Vitamin A: 10 %
- Vitamin C: 30 %
- Calcium: 2 %
- Iron: 4 %