UK | Following the success of the first Ottolenghi product range in Waitrose, Yotam Ottolenghi and the Ottolenghi Test Kitchen team are back with five new flavour-packed jars.
This latest product line includes three marinades: a tomato pesto with Calabrian chilli and a Hawaij paste, all designed to deliver the kind of bold, generous flavours Ottolenghi is known for, but without the lengthy shopping lists or the time spent toasting spices.
The original Ottolenghi range, launched in 2024, was born from a simple idea: how do you capture restaurant-style cooking in something you can spoon straight from a jar?
Products like Rose & Lemon Harissa, Shawarma Marinade, and Miso Pesto became instant favourites because they solved a real problem - they delivered proper depth of flavour for people who love good food but don't always have the time to build it from scratch.
The new Ottolenghi Pantry launches include:
Calabrian Chilli & Tomato Pesto - Tomato pesto with Calabrian chillies - not traditional, but made with the same generous spirit. Hickory-smoked tomatoes provide the base, while the chillies add their distinctive warmth. Toss through pasta, dollop onto soup, spread on toast, or spoon over eggs.
Hawaij Paste - Hawaij (pronounced ha-WAY-ij) is a Yemeni spice blend that combines ginger, cardamom, and turmeric with warming cinnamon and cloves. Ottolenghi has blended it into a ready-to-use paste, saving the time and effort of grinding and mixing. Stir a spoonful into soups for instant depth, rub onto meat before roasting, or mix it with oil for a quick vegetable marinade.
Black Garlic & Scotch Bonnet Marinade - A friendship of opposites – black garlic and scotch bonnet. The fermented garlic softens the chilli's kick, creating a gentle sweetness and some spicy warmth. Brush it over aubergines before grilling. Coat chicken thighs before roasting. Stir through the vegetables as they cook.
Smokey Honey Marinade - A take on a hot honey marinade – with caraway, chipotle chilli and smoked paprika. It caramelises beautifully when cooked, bringing depth to roast chicken and root vegetables, and works very well brushed onto halloumi before grilling.
Preserved Lemon Marinade - Preserved lemons offer more than just brightness – they bring a distinctive balance of salty, sour, and sweet flavours. Ottolenghi have softened their intensity with herbs and olive oil to create something that elevates without overwhelming. Lovely with fish and chicken, but equally good with roasted cauliflower or drizzled over a simple salad.
“I’m really excited about these new pantry additions, launching in both the UK and Australia. These are the jars I reach for in my own kitchen when I want depth and flavour without spending hours at the stove. The marinades, the pesto, the spice blend - they all started as practical solutions in our test kitchen,” said Yotam Ottolenghi.
“Hawaij is a particular favourite of mine - I've been using it for years in everything from roasted vegetables to evening stews. I'm super curious to see what people do with them.”
Adrian Gash, Table Sauce Buyer at Waitrose, was delighted to introduce exciting new additions to the Ottolenghi range. He said these delicious pantry staples offer an accessible gateway to discovering new and emerging cuisines, bringing artisanal-quality ingredients to customers’ kitchens.
“Whether you're a seasoned cook or simply love great food, these additions provide an accessible way for food lovers to experiment with global flavours, explore emerging cuisines, and elevate their meals.”
