For those who’re a fan of daring Mediterranean flavors, you are going to love this Olive Tapenade! Made with briny olives, capers, garlic, and contemporary herbs, this unfold is vibrant, punchy, and irresistibly savory. Whether or not you serve it on crostini, alongside grilled meats, or as a part of a cheese board, this tapenade delivers massive taste with little or no effort.

Why You will Love This Spectacular Unfold
- Quick. Prepared in simply 10 minutes with the assistance of your meals processor.
- Simple. Toss the substances in, pulse a number of occasions, and executed!
- Versatile. Works as a dip, condiment, or sandwich unfold.
- Daring. Full of umami-rich taste that elevates each chunk.
Tapenade brings a bit of style of the Mediterranean to your kitchen. It’s excellent for entertaining, meal prep, or just jazzing up your weekday lunch. No cooking required, simply mix and revel in.
What Is Olive Tapenade?
Olive tapenade is a standard Provençal unfold produced from olives, capers, and anchovies, typically enhanced with garlic, lemon, and herbs. Whereas it originated within the south of France, variations of olive spreads exist all throughout the Mediterranean.
It’s mostly served as a dip or unfold with bread or crackers, but it surely’s additionally unbelievable as a sandwich unfold, pasta topping, or paired with grilled rooster or fish.
Is It Wholesome?
Olive tapenade is a flavorful, nutrient-rich condiment that helps a heart-healthy weight-reduction plan. Simply be conscious of sodium and revel in affordable parts.
Unfold it on entire grain toast, use it as a dip for veggies, or spoon it over grilled fish or rooster for a scrumptious and health-conscious enhance.
Substances You will Want
- Olives– The star of the tapenade, olives kind the bottom of the unfold. Utilizing each black (like Kalamata) and inexperienced olives creates a stability of daring, earthy taste and sharper, barely bitter notes. Pitting them ensures a clean mixing course of and a uniform texture.
- Capers– Small however mighty, capers add a briny, tangy punch that cuts by the richness of the olives. They assist brighten the flavour and provides the tapenade a zesty, Mediterranean kick.
- Garlic– Only one clove is sufficient to infuse the tapenade with a pointy, savory depth. It enhances the general aroma and rounds out the robust olive and caper flavors.
- Recent Parsley– This herb brings a pop of shade and a clear, barely peppery freshness. It helps stability the depth of the olives and garlic.
- Lemon Juice– Freshly squeezed lemon juice provides acidity, which lifts and balances the salty and oily elements. It makes the entire unfold really feel brighter and extra vibrant.
- Olive Oil– Additional virgin olive oil offers the tapenade a clean, luxurious texture whereas deepening its taste. It binds all of the substances collectively right into a cohesive, spreadable consistency.
- Anchovy Fillets– These present an umami-rich enhance and further depth with out making the tapenade style “fishy.” A single fillet can dramatically improve the savory complexity.
- Purple Pepper Flakes– Only a pinch provides delicate warmth that balances the briny and tangy parts. It’s excellent if you’d like a bit of spicy edge.
How To Make Olive Tapenade
- Prep Your Substances. Pit the olives if wanted, rinse the capers, peel the garlic, and chop the parsley.
- Mix the Tapenade. In a meals processor, mix olives, capers, garlic, parsley, lemon juice, and anchovy (if utilizing). Pulse a number of occasions to start out breaking it down.
- Add the Olive Oil. With the processor working, drizzle within the olive oil. Pulse till the combination reaches your required consistency. Strive it chunky or clean, it’s as much as you!
- Style and Alter. Add extra lemon juice, pepper flakes, or olive oil as wanted. Some olives are saltier than others, so style earlier than including further salt.
- Serve or Retailer. Switch to a serving bowl and garnish with further parsley or a drizzle of oil. Retailer leftovers in an hermetic container within the fridge for as much as 1 week.

Suggestions And Methods
Making olive tapenade at house is splendidly easy, however a number of sensible suggestions and tips may help you are taking this briny, savory unfold from good to gourmand. Right here’s tips on how to get the perfect taste and texture each time:
- Use high-quality olives. Your tapenade is simply nearly as good as your olives. Go for briny, flavorful varieties like Kalamata or Castelvetrano, and ensure they’re pitted earlier than mixing.
- Don’t overprocess. Pulse the substances as an alternative of pureeing them. Tapenade ought to have some texture, not be a clean paste. Intention for a rough, spreadable consistency.
- Style earlier than seasoning. As a result of the substances are naturally salty, maintain off on including any further salt till you’ve tasted the completed mix.
Variations
Whereas the basic olive tapenade is scrumptious by itself, there are many enjoyable and flavorful variations you may attempt to tailor it to your tastes or make use of what you’ve available. Listed here are some inventive methods to modify it up:
- Solar-Dried Tomato– Add a handful of oil-packed sun-dried tomatoes to the combination for a candy, tangy twist and lovely crimson hue.
- Roasted Purple Pepper– Mix in a number of roasted crimson peppers for a barely smoky, sweeter taste that balances the briny olives.
- Nutty– Strive including toasted pine nuts, almonds, or walnuts for a richer texture and a gentle, buttery taste.
- Spicy– Crank up the warmth with a splash of crimson pepper flakes, a spoonful of harissa, or a chopped sizzling chili pepper.
What To Eat With Olive Tapenade
Olive tapenade is a real multitasker within the kitchen. Listed here are a few of our favourite methods to make use of it:
- Appetizer Board– Serve it with crostini, crackers, or pita chips. Add it to charcuterie or mezze platters.
- Sandwich Unfold– Smear it on focaccia, wraps, or panini for an prompt taste enhance.
- Pasta Sauce– Toss it with heat pasta and a splash of pasta water for a fast, savory dish.
- Grilled Meats or Fish– Spoon tapenade over grilled rooster, steak, or salmon.
- Eggs– Use it as a topping for scrambled eggs, omelets, or avocado toast.
How Lengthy Does It Final?
Tapenade retains properly within the fridge for as much as 1 week. Retailer it in an hermetic container and prime it with a skinny layer of olive oil to protect freshness.
Can You Freeze It?
Sure! You possibly can freeze olive tapenade for as much as 2 months. Use freezer-safe containers or silicone ice dice trays to portion it out. Thaw within the fridge and stir earlier than serving.
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Servings: 8 servings
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Directions
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Prep Your Substances. Pit the olives if wanted, rinse the capers, peel the garlic, and chop the parsley.
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Mix the Tapenade. In a meals processor, mix olives, capers, garlic, parsley, lemon juice, and anchovy (if utilizing). Pulse a number of occasions to start out breaking it down.
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Add the Olive Oil. With the processor working, drizzle within the olive oil. Pulse till the combination reaches your required consistency. Strive it chunky or clean, it’s as much as you!
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Style and Alter. Add extra lemon juice, pepper flakes, or olive oil as wanted. Some olives are saltier than others, so style earlier than including further salt.
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Serve or Retailer. Switch to a serving bowl and garnish with further parsley or a drizzle of oil. Retailer leftovers in an hermetic container within the fridge for as much as 1 week.