Olive Tapenade: A salty, garlicky, lemony snack, spread or appetizer. This olive tapenade recipe takes ten minutes to whip up and is make ahead easy! vegan + gluten free
Why this Recipe Works:
You know those recipes that you make over and over again and can rely on each and every time? This easy Olive Tapenade Recipe is it! From the pickiest of eaters to the vast array of friends and family with varying diets, just about everyone can agree on this recipe. It uses 10 fresh ingredients and takes only 10 minutes to make.
My taste for briny/salty flavors is no secret. Olives tend to sooth my salty cravings but add capers to the mix and I’m like a piggy in slop. And did I mention it’s soooo easy? Scroll down to see my video on making this Olive Tapenade!
Stock up on Olives:
Olives are a pantry staple in our home. They make a quick snack and add a good bit of briny/salty flavor, especially in Italian recipes and salads like this Italian Pressed Sandwich, Spinach Pecan Brown Rice Salad and Farro Kale and Olive Salad.
I’ve also included them in this Olive Artichoke Crostini recipe.
How to Make Olive Tapenade:
This recipe is so versatile. You can make it as a spread or as a relish with less time in the processor.
- First: add olives, capers, tomatoes, garlic, oregano, parsley, basil, lemon juice, olive oil and black pepper to a food processor.
- Second: pulse until you get your desired consistency
- Last: share with crackers or a baguette. Garnish with parsley leaves and drizzle with olive oil.
Store in a covered container in the refrigerator for up two weeks.
A Few Recipe Notes:
- Although I prefer Olive Tapenade served simply with crackers, a baguette, pita or veggies such as cucumber, or celery, it can also be used as a spread or relish on sandwiches, or toast. It’s fabulous too as bruschetta or crostini.
- The main difference in consistency between a spread or relish is how long it spends being processed in the food processor. For a relish, pulse only a few times. For a spread, process until almost a paste forms.
- Anyway, you share it, Olive Tapenade pairs well with a good red wine.
- Olive Tapenade makes a perfect picnic companion alone or slathered on this sandwich, with that red wine or if you prefer, a martini.
I made a video to share just how simple this recipe is to pull together!
Did you make and love this recipe? Give it your review below! And share your creations by tagging me on Instagram!
Olive Tapenade
Olive Tapenade makes a delicious accompaniment to your appetizer table. Serve it too as a relish or spread. Versatile. Salty. Garlicky. vegan + gluten-free
Ingredients
- 2 1/2 C Mixed Pitted Olives such as Black Kalamata, Green, drained, 345g
- 2 Tbs Capers drained
- 2 Tbs Marinated Sun Dried Tomatoes drained
- 1 Tbs Garlic chopped
- 1 tsp Oregano dried
- 4 Tbs Fresh Parsley Leaves chopped, or 1 Tbs dried
- 1 Tbs Fresh Basil Leaves chopped, or 1 tsp dried
- 1 Tbs Lemon Juice about 1/2 a lemon
- 1/4 C Extra Virgin Olive Oil 50g
- A few grinds of black pepper
Instructions
- In the bowl of a food processor, add the olives, capers, tomatoes, garlic, oregano, parsley, basil, lemon juice, olive oil, and black pepper.
- For a relish, pulse a few times, then scrape down the bowl. Pulse a few more times, and the relish will be ready.
- For a chunky spread (pictured here), pulse up to 15-17 times, stopping to scrape down the bowl a few times.
- For a spreadable tapenade, process until a paste is formed, stopping to scrape down the bowl a few times.
Garnish with parsley leaves and olive oil for drizzling. Store in a covered container in the refrigerator for up two weeks.
Recipe Notes
- Serve with crackers, a baguette, pita or veggies such as cucumber, or celery, it can also be used as a spread or relish on sandwiches, or toast. It's fabulous too as bruschetta or crostini.
- For a relish, pulse only a few times. For a spread, process until almost a paste forms.
- It pairs well with a good red wine.
- Olive Tapenade makes a perfect picnic companion alone or slathered on this sandwich, with that red wine or if you prefer, a martini.
Thank you for reading! If you make this recipe, be sure to post it to Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter notify me @vanillaandbean and tag #vanillaandbean! I’d love to see what you’ve made! Follow me on Pinterest, too, for even more deliciousness!
Amy says
April 8, 2019 at 1:41 pmThis tampenade is delicious! I buy some of the ingredients from my grocer’s olive bar. When done making, I add desired spoonfuls to bowl and combine with 2 (6oz) cans albacore tuna, drained and crumbled feta cheese for a mayo free tuna salad. Tastes great stuffed in pita bread for lunch.
Traci says
April 8, 2019 at 2:12 pmHi Amy! Thank you so much for coming back, leaving a note and your tips! I love how versatile this spread/dip/relish is too!
Marilyn says
June 14, 2018 at 2:40 pmOlive tapenade is great with hummus. Good, healthy snack
Traci says
June 14, 2018 at 3:15 pmMmmmm… agreed! Thank you for your note, Marilyn!
sue kluver says
May 5, 2018 at 6:32 amI want to make this up ahead of time for a family trip….will it keep in the fridge, covered for up to three weeks, I mean, generally, olives keep for several months in the fridge so why wouldn’t this keep as well?
Traci says
May 5, 2018 at 6:40 amHi Sue, thank you for your note… since I wrote this recipe I’ve stored it in the fridge for, I think, up to a month! It lasts and lasts. I wouldn’t hesitate making it in advance for your family trip! Y’all have fun!
sue kluver says
May 5, 2018 at 12:32 pmThank you SO much for responding!! I am experimenting a bit here…I plan to make the tapenade to enjoy as it is and also to add some to cream cheese for a nice alternate cracker spread. I’m excited to give it a try! Thanks again!
Angelica says
November 9, 2017 at 5:47 pmI had my husband make this for a family gathering over the summer. It was such a great hit. Thanks.
Traci says
November 9, 2017 at 6:22 pmSo happy to hear, Angelica! Thank you for your note! :D
Claudia says
August 11, 2017 at 3:01 pmThis is a great tapenade. I am bringing it to a community theatre event to spread on mini toast. Hope others are as excited about it as I am.
Wendy says
August 5, 2017 at 1:11 pmCan you can this recipe?
Traci says
August 7, 2017 at 8:16 amHi Wendy… I’ve not tried canning the recipe. I did find a forum on the subject here: http://forums.finecooking.com/cookstalk/archives/canning-experts-tapenade I hope this helps.
Karen says
March 11, 2017 at 5:13 amThis was my first time making this. Delish and was a hit. I served it with thinly sliced baguette and goat cheese. Will make this again for sure.
Jess says
December 16, 2016 at 5:14 amI’ve made this twice now in the last month for friend’s birthdays and each time is been devoured within an hour. Absolutely brilliant recipe!
Rouu says
November 30, 2016 at 10:45 pmI really loved this recipe :) thanks dear
greetings from Egypt
hanna says
January 29, 2016 at 6:55 amTanks a lot for this recipes! its so goog! we loved it!
hanna
Traci says
January 29, 2016 at 11:26 amHooray Hanna! Thank you for sharing! Day made!
Denise says
December 29, 2015 at 3:33 pmHello Traci, I was looking for an appetizer to start a theme for cocktail time on New Year’s Eve this year. Your tapenade is what inspired me the most. The ingredients are so mouth watering. I just made it this afternoon and just had to treat myself a bit. WOW! Delicious! My guests will love it, I’m sure. Thanks for sharing this tapenade!
Traci says
December 30, 2015 at 11:06 amHooray Denise! So happy you love it and thank you for sharing your success! :D This is a snack I have on hand pretty regularly. It’s just so darn good and easy to whip up! I find I often have to make a double batch because it goes so fast! Have a fabulous new year my dear!
Anjali @ Vegetarian Gastronomy says
December 18, 2015 at 10:47 pmI just made this tapenade for our holiday party tomorrow to serve on crackers! Easy, simple, and a great addition to the rest of our menu! Thanks!
Traci says
December 21, 2015 at 4:41 amHooray! You’re welcome, Anjali. :D Thank you for sharing!
Lisa @ Healthy Nibbles & Bits says
October 5, 2015 at 11:39 amTraci, I think you may have read my mind when you decided to create a tapenade recipe! I just bought a whole big tub of kalamata olives for a tapenade! Gorgeous, Traci! I just signed up for IFBC in Sacramento next year! I felt that I had to go because it’ll be practically right next door to me. Will you attend next year, Traci?
Traci says
October 5, 2015 at 1:15 pmThank you, Lisa! Hooray for a big tub of kalamata! I think it’s my favorite olive for it’s sharp flavor. Oh that’s great about IFBC and it being just around the corner from you. I don’t plan on attending… although it might be fun. IDK yet.. :D
Lisa @ Healthy Nibbles & Bits says
October 6, 2015 at 3:11 pmAww, shucks. Well, if you ever decide to come down to the Sacramento area, let me know!
Traci says
October 7, 2015 at 9:45 amWill do, Lisa! :D
Amy @ Thoroughly Nourished Life says
September 30, 2015 at 8:53 pmI love olives! I cannot believe I’ve never made my own tapenade before! But I’m so glad because now your recipe has come into my life and I won’t have to settle for searching for the perfect one because you’ve already created it!
I love that you’ve used a mix of olives here! And capers too! I can never decide which olives I love the most (Equal Opportunity Olive Consumer) so the mix is just perfection!
This is going to feature very heavily in all of our summer and holiday entertaining!
Traci says
October 1, 2015 at 7:45 amOh Amy… It’s TIME!! You’d love it for sure! There are SO many good olives and I recently learned that they apparently taste better if the pit is left in. Who knew? Enjoy, Amy! :D
Alison @Food by Mars says
September 30, 2015 at 7:12 pmI LOVE OLIVES! Traci, this looks so amazing… I can taste the salty earthiness just looking at your lovely photos :) The conference sounds like fun! Hope you enjoyed :)
Traci says
October 1, 2015 at 7:44 amHooray for Olives, Alison! Thank you my dear! :D
Katie @HonestlyNourished says
September 30, 2015 at 9:15 amYum, Traci! I love olives, too! They are the perfect snack and this olive tapenade looks fantastic. I have never tried making my own before but now I”m totally inspired. I, too, stock all sorts of olives in our pantry/fridge. I especially adore cipollini green olives and any marinated in red pepper flakes…kalamata obviously…I could go on and on! Thank you for sharing this simple recipe! XX Katie
Traci says
September 30, 2015 at 12:01 pmOh Katie, you must give it a go. You already have most of the ingredients on hand! It’s super quick to whip up.. and add a pinch of red pepper flakes.. I’ve done that too and It’s fabulous! :D
Mira says
September 30, 2015 at 9:05 amThis olive tapenade looks awesome Traci! I was way too lazy and just bough a jar yesterday :) But once we finish it, I’ll give your recipe a try! Pinning
Traci says
September 30, 2015 at 12:00 pmHeyyy Mira! Thank you my dear and for your pin! I hope you’ll give this a go… you’ll love it! :D
Donna Castellano says
September 30, 2015 at 6:19 amI thought about going to the IFBC! I wish I would have! Next year we should all arrange to meet and go for drinks and dinner! : ) Love this tapenade, especially with the sun-dried tomatoes! They add such a special, rich flavor. Keeping this appetizer in mind for the holidays (oh, I can’t believe I just said the “H” word haha!)
Traci says
September 30, 2015 at 11:58 amYeah, if it were going to be in Seattle, I’d consider it, but it’s in N.Cal next year, so I won’t be going. Thank you, Donna! We love this one with sun-dried tomatoes… and those briny capers! I know, right??? You said it, H——!! YIKES!! :D
Sarah @ Making Thyme for Health says
September 29, 2015 at 9:55 pmThat last shot is crazy beautiful, Traci! My husband goes nuts over olives so I know he’d love this. And I can see myself enjoying it with a nice glass of red wine. Mmm,,,
IFBC sounds like it was so much fun too! I haven’t been to a conference yet but I’m hoping too soon. I’m excited to hear more about your time there!
Traci says
September 30, 2015 at 11:56 amThank you Sarah! :D Oh, yes! Make this, Sarah! He’ll love it for sure… with Red wine of course! IFBC was good… It’s in N. Cal next year, so I probably wont be going, but there are so many bloggers who can benefit from it in that area!
Kathleen | Hapa Nom Nom says
September 29, 2015 at 8:19 pmOoo… martinis? Olives? Sounds like my kind of event! I am an olive fiend! Seriously – my parents still tell the story of when I ruined my Grandmothers cocktail party because I ate all of the olives. Obviously my family takes their martinis very seriously :P
I would devour this tapenade! I wish I could just reach through the monitor and grab a crusty slice of baguette piled high with tapenade!
Traci says
September 30, 2015 at 11:54 amHAaahaa! Kathleen! You ARE an olive connoisseur for sure, and you started at such a young age! A crusty baguette is a must! :D
Chelsea @ Chelsea's Healthy Kitchen says
September 29, 2015 at 2:47 pmYesssss I love olives! And tapenade! Growing up whenever there was a party, my mom would make these bite-sized appetizers with tapenade, feta, and tomatoes in puff pastry. I’ve loved tapenade eer since! I’ve always bought mine premade, but I love this homemade recipe. Definitely pinning it to try!
Traci says
September 30, 2015 at 8:01 amOh now, the addition of Feta is a good one.. but then theres that puff pastry and tomatoes!? Whaaa? Your Mom knows where its at! Fabulous appetizer idea! No wonder why you love it so much. Chelsea, make your own! It’s so much more economical… and I know you like to know what’s in your stuff! Enjoy my dear!
Emilie @ The Clever Carrot says
September 29, 2015 at 2:37 pmHa! I’m the exact same way about capers! Show me some salty briny olives, and I’m all over that too! So funny… Love the idea of tapenade by the way, although I haven’t had it in ages. I need to make this recipe, grab a bottle of Rose, and pretend I’m in Provence (baguette included). Just beautiful! xx
Traci says
September 30, 2015 at 7:49 amOh I know! Capers are amazing and so flavorful. I need to buy them in bulk because those little jars hardly last anytime around here! No doubt, an easy and quick recipe to whip up. I”ll pretend too, were in Provence together, with wine and plenty of baguettes… oh and an accordion is a must! hehe! xx https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ebv9VeW1u74
Natalie @ Tastes Lovely says
September 29, 2015 at 10:07 amSo jealous you got to go to IFBC! I really wanted to go to that, but we have had a wedding every single weekend since mid august. Sigh. Maybe next time. This looks like the best little appetizer. My husband freaks over his love of olives : )
Traci says
September 29, 2015 at 2:10 pmCheck it out next year, Natalie… they’re coming to your area! Maybe you’ll have a break by then? My goodness! How do you do it all!?! LOL – Olive Freak! :D
Geraldine | Green Valley Kitchen says
September 29, 2015 at 8:23 amAll I can say is YUM. I love olives, Traci – I put them in almost all my salads – so I just love this tapenade – the more olives the better! I’m envious that you went to the Blogger conference – did you learn a lot? All the food, seminars and wine tasting must have been amazing. Beautiful pictures as always – I just want to slather some on french bread!
Traci says
September 29, 2015 at 2:09 pmYes, in your salads! I’ve seen them and I love em’ every time! You know your olives! Yes, I learned, but found too, that there were things I already knew too, which was nice because last year I was clueless! They’re having it in California next year, so in your neck of the woods. Thank you, Geraldine! :D
Mary Ann | The Beach House Kitchen says
September 29, 2015 at 7:59 amTraci, this olive tapenade sounds absolutely right up my alley! I totally love olives and serve them at parties with cheese, crackers and marcona almonds all the time! I will definitely be trying this for my next get together. I love the addition of the sun dried tomatoes. I’ll be enjoying it with a nice glass of red! Cheers! Thanks for sharing!
Traci says
September 29, 2015 at 2:07 pmOh, I hope you’ll give this a go Mary Ann.. it’s just perfect for sharing, and that wine, well, you know I’m in! :D
[email protected] says
September 29, 2015 at 7:42 amSo now I really want to go on a picnic this weekend…red wine and all. I love olive tapenade – hubby and I shared an amazing one while in Italy and we paired it with a pistachio liqueur that was out of this world. I haven’t found it in the states but I’m determined to get back there just for that magnificent pairing! haha! Thanks for sharing, my dear! I’m a briny kinda girl, too!
Traci says
September 29, 2015 at 2:06 pmI know, right? It’s still so nice out too. Perfect picnic weather for sure. I’ve not heard of pistachio liqueur.. oh my! I can only imagine how it tastes! Let me know when you find it so I can get some! Thank you my briny friend! :D
Medha says
September 29, 2015 at 6:50 amSTUNNING. I have no words. So delicate and delicious- love that briny, salty, olive flavor :) Pinning!
Traci says
September 29, 2015 at 2:05 pmThank you so much Medha and for your pin! :D
Beeta @ Mon Petit Four says
September 28, 2015 at 11:54 pmI absolutely adore olives, Traci! They are some of my favorite things to snack on or serve with cheese and crackers. And I love eating them as I sip on a nice glass of cabernet! :) Your tapenade looks divine – I wish I could snatch one of those crackers right now and dig right in. I’ve always wanted to make a great tapenade at home, so I’m excited you’ve shared your recipe with us! Beautiful job, love!
Traci says
September 29, 2015 at 2:05 pmYeah, and they’re so convenient too, eh? Olives. I think my favorite are green, and I hear they taste better with the pit! I hope you enjoy the recipe Beeta! Thank you my dear! :D