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Home / Recipes
5 minutes
4.75 from 27 votes
26 Comments

Olive Tapenade

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  • 383
by: Joanna Cismaru

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This Olive Tapenade is a simple and savory spread made with olives and sun dried tomatoes. All made from scratch and perfect to be served on crostini, as a dip or a condiment!

olive tapenade in a small bowl surrounded by crostini

I really love olives. Probably because of how salty they are. I’m a sucker for anything salty. So as you can imagine, this olive tapenade is right up my alley. I would probably take this kind of dip over a creamy cheesy dip. I know, weird!

But I love all sort of olives. There’s a vendor at the market we usually go to on Thursdays, and all she sells are olives. I’ve never seen so many different types of olives in my life. And we’ve tried most of them. She also sells all sort of tapenades. However, I prefer to make my own.

What Is Tapenade

Tapenade is a Provencal name for a spread or dip consisting of pureed or finely-chopped olives, capers, and olive oil. There are many versions of tapenade, but the main ingredients is usually olives.

process shots for making olive tapenade

Ingredients in Tapenade

While ingredients in Tapenade can vary from region to region, my version here is a pretty basic recipe with one exception; the addition of sun-dried tomatoes. Here’s the list of ingredients needed:

  • Kalamata Olives
  • Sun Dried Tomatoes
  • Parsley
  • Garlic
  • Capers
  • Sun Dried Tomato Oil
  • Lemon juice
  • Pepper

How to Make Olive Tapenade

I love making my own tapenade, because it only takes about 5 minutes to make a great tapenade, and it’s fresh and I know all the ingredients that go in it. I love the addition of sun dried tomatoes to this olive tapenade, and also instead of using just plain olive oil, I decided to go ahead and use the oil from the sun dried tomatoes, and take advantage of all that flavor.

Simply place all the ingredients in a food processor and pulse until a course puree or desired texture.

a hand holding an olive tapenade crostini

How to Serve Olive Tapenade

I love to serve this tapenade over crostini, as a dip with some good tortilla chips, or even on lamb chops. YES! Totally a must try!

There are many variations of tapenade, some even with anchovies which I’m yet to try. This tapenade is quite impressive and delicious, so I hope you give it a try!

spreading olive tapenade over crostini

How to Store Leftover Tapenade

Tapenade can be stored in an airtight container or a jar in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Make sure to bring it back to room temperature before serving. If you seal the jars or place the tapenade in freezer containers, you can freeze for up to 3 months.

overhead shot of olive tapenade in a bowl

Try These Delicious Dips:

  • Homemade Salsa
  • Baja Spinach Dip
  • Baba Ganoush
  • Crockpot Queso Blanco Dip
  • Bacon Corn Dip

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overhead shot of a bowl of olive tapenade surrounded by toasted baguette slices

Olive Tapenade

4.75 from 27 votes
Prep: 5 mins
Total: 5 mins
Author: Joanna Cismaru
Serves: 8
Print Pin Rate
This Olive Tapenade is a simple and savory spread made with olives and sun dried tomatoes. All made from scratch and perfect to be served on crostini, as a dip or a condiment!

Ingredients

  • 1 cup Kalamata olives pitted
  • 1/4 cup sun dried tomatoes (in oil) reserve oil
  • 1/4 cup chopped parsley
  • 5 cloves garlic
  • 1 tablespoon capers
  • 2 tablespoon sun dried tomato oil
  • 2 tablespoon lemon juice freshly squeezed
  • 1/2 teaspoon pepper or to taste
US Customary – Metric

Instructions

  • Place all the ingredients in a food processor and pulse until a course puree or desired texture.
  • Serve over crostini, as a dip or condiment.

Video

Recipe Notes

  1. Tapenade can be stored in an airtight container or a jar in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Make sure to bring it back to room temperature before serving. If you seal the jars or place the tapenade in freezer containers, you can freeze for up to 3 months.
  2. Please keep in mind that nutritional information is a rough estimate and can vary greatly based on products used.
 

Nutrition Information:

Calories: 46kcal (2%)Carbohydrates: 4g (1%)Protein: 1g (2%)Fat: 3g (5%)Sodium: 312mg (14%)Potassium: 200mg (6%)Fiber: 1g (4%)Sugar: 1g (1%)Vitamin A: 300IU (6%)Vitamin C: 9.7mg (12%)Calcium: 20mg (2%)Iron: 0.6mg (3%)
Course:Appetizer, Snack
Cuisine:American, French
Keyword:appetizer, game day, snack
Tried this recipe? Rate it belowtag @jocooks on instagram and hashtag it #jocooks!

Recipe originally published August 2011. Updated with new photos and video.

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Meet Joanna Cismaru

I’m Joanna (Jo for short) and this is my blog where I share with you my culinary adventures. Here you will find a variety of recipes using simple everyday ingredients and creating wonderful, delicious and comforting meals, including some decadent desserts.

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Comments

  1. Rosie Blaser says

    July 19, 2020 at 10:26 pm

    5 stars
    Delicious!! I love the addition of the sun dried tomatoes. It gives it a slightly different flavour. I made it for a party and everyone loved it!

    Reply
  2. Marina says

    June 17, 2020 at 9:51 am

    I love this recipe

    Reply
  3. Ken Wanstall says

    July 5, 2019 at 12:35 am

    5 stars
    The only problem with this tapenade is that its so good. Shop bought, and other recipes, are bland in comparison. The extra garlic makes the difference.

    Reply
    • Joanna Cismaru says

      July 6, 2019 at 3:59 pm

      So glad you enjoyed it!!

      Reply
Older Comments

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I'm Joanna (Jo for short) and this is my blog where I share with you my culinary adventures. Here you will find a variety of recipes using simple everyday ingredients and creating wonderful, delicious and comforting meals, including some decadent desserts.

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