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Ultimate Olive Tapenade Recipe

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star 4.7 from 72 reviews
  • Author: Lauren
  • Prep Time: 5 minutes
  • Cook Time: 0 minutes
  • Total Time: 5 minutes
  • Yield: 4 servings
  • Category: Appetizer
  • Method: Blending
  • Cuisine: Mediterranean
  • Diet: Vegetarian

Description

This easy and flavorful Olive Tapenade combines briny kalamata and green olives with sun-dried tomatoes, capers, garlic, and fresh herbs to create a vibrant, chunky spread perfect for appetizers. Ready in just 5 minutes using a food processor, it pairs beautifully with crackers, baguette slices, or as a topping for grilled meats and vegetables.


Ingredients

Scale

Olives and Tomatoes

  • 1½ cups pitted olives (mix of kalamata and green olives)
  • 4 oil-packed sun-dried tomatoes

Other Ingredients

  • 3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
  • 1 tablespoon capers
  • ½ tablespoon fresh lemon juice
  • 1 garlic clove
  • ⅓ cup fresh basil or parsley


Instructions

  1. Prepare Ingredients: Gather all ingredients including pitted olives, oil-packed sun-dried tomatoes, extra-virgin olive oil, capers, fresh lemon juice, garlic clove, and fresh basil or parsley to have everything ready for quick processing.
  2. Combine Ingredients: Add the olives, sun-dried tomatoes, olive oil, capers, lemon juice, and garlic into a small food processor. This forms the base of your tapenade with robust flavors from the olives and savory additions.
  3. Pulse Mixture: Pulse the food processor a few times just until the ingredients are combined but still chunky. Avoid over-processing for a better texture.
  4. Add Herbs and Finish: Add the fresh basil or parsley to the mixture, then pulse again briefly to integrate the herbs without fully pureeing, preserving a fresh burst of flavor and texture.

Notes

  • This olive tapenade is a quick and flavorful appetizer that’s perfect for entertaining.
  • Serve with crackers, toasted baguette slices, or as a condiment for grilled meats and vegetables.
  • Customize by adding a pinch of red pepper flakes for a spicy kick or anchovies for added umami.

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 2 tablespoons
  • Calories: 90
  • Sugar: 1g
  • Sodium: 250mg
  • Fat: 8g
  • Saturated Fat: 1g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 7g
  • Trans Fat: 0g
  • Carbohydrates: 3g
  • Fiber: 1g
  • Protein: 1g
  • Cholesterol: 0mg