Easy 10-Minute Olive Tapenade Appetizer Recipe
Are you an olive lover looking for a simple, mouthwatering appetizer that will impress your guests? Look no further than this quick and easy Olive Tapenade Appetizer Recipe. The best part? It takes just 10 minutes to prepare!
This is one of my favorite appetizers to serve at dinner parties. It can (and should) be served at room temperature and the Mediterranean flavors go great with a crisp glass of Sauvignon Blanc.
Simple, but elegant. And did I mention delicious?!
I always give instructions with step-by-step photos in my posts just in case some readers have questions. But if you are just here for the recipe, click the JUMP TO RECIPE tab under the title and it will take you straight there. You can also print the recipe card with full instructions or you can click one of the SHARE BUTTONS and save it for later!
What is Olive Tapenade?
Originating from Southern France, olive tapenade is a classic Mediterranean spread bursting with briny flavors and a rich, complex taste. This versatile olive spread combines different kinds of olives into a delectable appetizer that’s perfect for charcuterie boards, sandwich spreads, and party snacks.
Let’s gather up the tapenade ingredients
Organizing all of your ingredients ahead of time not only streamlines the cooking process but also ensures you have everything required to complete the dish successfully. You can find the exact amounts in the recipe card below.
- Olives– Use any combination of olives you enjoy. Just make sure they are pitted and have been cured in brine. Hit up the olive bars at your local grocery store and try something new. Some good choices would be Niçoise olives, Castelvetrano olives, Kalamata olives, or just Spanish green olives with pimentos.
- Capers– Whether you use the brine-packed or salt-packed variety, be sure to rinse them or the flavor could be a little overpowering.
- Anchovy fillets– Please don’t be afraid of the anchovies. They will not make your tapenade taste like fish. They just add a savory salty flavor. Use the leftovers to make a Simple Caesar Salad later in the week. If you don’t want to buy a tin of anchovies, you could also use anchovy paste instead.
- Fresh garlic– Sometimes I mix it up and use Roasted Garlic or a combination of the two.
- Red wine vinegar– The bright acidity cuts through the richness of the olives and oil. You could also substitute fresh lemon juice along with lemon zest or even balsamic vinegar.
- Fresh herbs– Use a combination of fresh herbs to add bright flavor and a pop of beautiful green color. Some great choices are fresh parsley, fresh basil, or fresh thyme.
- Seasonings– Worcestershire sauce (which is not traditional, but adds an extra bit of umami flavor that I enjoy), oregano, black pepper, and a pinch of red pepper flakes for a touch of heat. Use salt sparingly and only after the dish is complete. There are a lot of salty components in the tapenade so you may not need to add any salt at all.
- Olive oil– Use a good quality extra-virgin olive oil. I like California Ranch. It’s super flavorful and it won’t break the bank. This is the background of the tapenade so it needs to have a good flavor.
Now let’s get cooking
Place all of the ingredients in the bowl of a food processor.
Pulse until everything is combined (scraping the sides of the bowl if necessary) and the texture is how you want it.
If you want it to have a relish consistency, just pulse it a few times. If you want to use it as a spread, process it until it forms into a paste.
I told you it was simple!
How Long Does Olive Tapenade Last?
When stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator, homemade olive tapenade will last 7-10 days. Always keep it at room temperature for about 30 minutes before serving to enhance its flavors.
How to Eat Olive Tapenade
My favorite way to eat tapenade is piled on warm crostini or homemade pita chips, but its uses are endless:
- Try adding a dab onto pizza
- Topping for grilled or roasted meats
- Make a shortcut Pasta Puttanesca by mixing it into leftover Pizza Sauce and tossing it with warm pasta
- Part of a Mediterranean-inspired appetizer platter
- As a sandwich spread
What to Serve with Olive Tapenade
- Crusty baguette slices with goat cheese
- Pita chips
- Fresh vegetable crudités
- Garlic toasts
- On a charcuterie board
Tips for Success
- Use a mix of olive varieties for complex flavor
- Adjust saltiness by choosing your olive mix carefully
- Let the tapenade sit for 30 minutes before serving to let flavors meld
Holiday season tip: This recipe makes a delicious gift for all of the olive lovers in your life. Just pack it in cute jars and hand them out instead of cookies this year!
I hope you enjoy this simple, delicious Mediterranean appetizer. I’m sure it will be a hit at your next gathering!
More Appetizer recipes to try
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Easy 10-Minute Olive Tapenade Appetizer Recipe
Equipment
- 1 Food processor If you don't have a food processor, finely chop all of the ingredients with a sharp knife and mix them along with the oil and vinegar in a medium-sized bowl.
Ingredients
- 1 cup Pimento stuffed green olives
- 1 cup Kalamata olives
- 3 Fresh garlic cloves roasted if desired
- 2 Anchovies fillets can substitute anchovy paste
- 2 tablespoons Capers rinsed
- 2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
- 3 tablespoons Fresh parsley
- 1 tablespoon Red wine vinegar can substitute lemon juice
- ¼ cup Extra Virgin olive oil
- ¼ teaspoon Red pepper flakes
- 1 teaspoon Oregano
- Salt – to taste. There are a lot of salty ingredients in this recipe so wait until the end to add any salt. Taste it and if you feel like it needs a bit more you can add it then.
- Fresh cracked black pepper
Instructions
- Place all of the ingredients in the bowl of a food processor. Pulse until everything is combined (scraping the sides of the bowl if necessary) and the texture is how you want it. If you want it to have a relish consistency, just pulse it a few times. If you want to use it as a spread, process it until it forms into a paste.
- Taste for seasoning and make any necessary adjustments.
- Serve at room temperature.
This recipe is so easy to throw together and the flavors are amazing!
This Olive Tapenade recipe looks absolutely delicious and so easy to make! I love how it only takes 10 minutes to prepare, yet it packs so much flavor with the combination of olives, garlic, capers, and anchovies. The tips on pairing it with a glass of Sauvignon Blanc and serving it with crostini or pita chips make it perfect for any gathering. I also appreciate the option to adjust the saltiness and texture to your preference. Definitely bookmarking this for my next party!