• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
Pinch and Swirl
  • Home
  • Recipes
  • Collections
  • About
  • Free Recipe EBook
  • My Saved Recipes
menu icon
go to homepage
subscribe
search icon
Homepage link
  • Home
  • Recipes
  • Collections
  • About
  • Free Recipe EBook
  • My Saved Recipes
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • YouTube
  • ×

    Recipes » Appetizers » Mediterranean Appetizers

    Artichoke Tapenade

    Published: Dec 26, 2022 by Marissa Stevens · 3 Comments

    Gluten FreeMediterranean

    This post may contain affiliate links.

    Jump to Recipe

    Tangy, bright and earthy Artichoke Tapenade is not just an elegant Mediterranean appetizer, but a spread, a topping and a stir-in that transforms the routine into something special. Made with 8 everyday ingredients in just 10 minutes with your food processor, it's a recipe you'll turn to often.

    Artichoke Tapenade served in a white bowl surrounded by round toasts.

    Ideal for holiday parties and celebrations you can serve this quick and easy, robustly flavored spread with slices of baguette or crispy crostini to guests and watch it disappear. But you should also think of it as a secret ingredient to elevate all kinds of savory dishes: on grilled meats, fish, poultry, cooked vegetables, pizza and salads; as a dip with crudités, as a sandwich spread, or swirled into salad dressings. 

    Jump to:
    • Ingredients You Need to Make Artichoke Tapenade
    • What is Tapenade?
    • Recipe Options
    • How to Serve
    • How to Make Artichoke Tapenade
    • Artichoke Tapenade
    • 💬 Comments

    Ingredients You Need to Make Artichoke Tapenade

    Artichoke Tapenade Ingredients on a white marble board
    • Artichoke Hearts: canned artichoke hearts in water
    • Castelvetrano Olives: pitted or other pitted green olive (Note that the flavor of the olives will strongly affect the tapenade flavor. Castelvetrano olives are mild and buttery, where other green olives can be quite tangy and astringent, so choose carefully.)
    • Capers: ideally non-pareil capers
    • Olive Oil: good quality, extra-virgin olive oil
    • Lemon: fresh lemon juice and zest
    • Fresh Parsley: ideally flat leaf parsley also called Italian parsley
    • Garlic: fresh garlic cloves
    • Salt and Freshly Ground Black Pepper

    When shopping for this recipe, be sure to choose quality ingredients that you'd happily enjoy on their own. With so few, there is nowhere for mediocre or overpowering ingredients to hide.

    Artichoke Tapenade served in a white bowl surrounded by round toasts photographed from above.

    What is Tapenade?

    Traditional tapenade is a Mediterranean condiment consisting of finely chopped or pureed olives, anchovies, capers, garlic, olive oil, lemon juice, and black pepper. The name comes from the Provençal word "tapenas," meaning capers. 

    This version embellishes the original with tender artichoke hearts and uses buttery green olives instead of the traditional briny black olives. It also omits anchovy, but you're welcome to add those too! 

    Recipe Options

    • Swap in kalamata olives for some or all of the Castelvetrano olives to add briny flavor and a "peppered" appearance to the tapenade.
    • Add a handful of fresh basil leaves for an herbaceous twist.
    • Toss in chopped, raw sweet bell peppers for flavor depth and crunch.
    • Add an anchovy fillet or two for a touch of umami.

    How to Serve

    • Spoon onto crisp Crostini, crackers or bread slices for an easy appetizer.
    • Spread on top of or serve alongside fish like Grilled Swordfish, Slow Roasted Salmon or Parmesan Baked Cod.
    • Serve with raw vegetables for dipping.
    • Toss into pasta for a simple pasta dish.

    Also try this reader favorite Green Olive Tapenade.

    How to Make Artichoke Tapenade

    Add all tapenade ingredients to the bowl of a food processor and pulse until the olives are finely chopped. Transfer to a bowl and serve at room temperature, or refrigerate for up to a week.

    Artichoke Tapenade ingredients in food processor bowl.
    Artichoke Tapenade in food processor ready to serve.
    Artichoke Tapenade served in a white bowl surrounded by round toasts.
    Artichoke Tapenade served in a white bowl surrounded by round toasts.

    Artichoke Tapenade

    Marissa Stevens
    Made with simple ingredients in just 10 minutes, this is a delicious and versatile Mediterranean condiment that you can always have on hand.
    Save Recipe Saved! Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 10 mins
    Total Time 10 mins
    Course Appetizer
    Cuisine Mediterranean
    Servings 8 people
    Calories 68 kcal

    Ingredients
      

    • 14 ounce can artichoke hearts canned in water, drained and quatered
    • 1 cup pitted castelvetrano olives or other pitted green olives
    • 2 tablespoons capers drained
    • 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
    • 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
    • 1 teaspoon lemon zest
    • 2 tablespoons finely chopped fresh parsley
    • ½ teaspoon minced garlic
    • salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste

    Instructions
     

    • Combine artichoke hearts, olives, capers, olive oil, fresh lemon juice and zest, parsley and garlic in the bowl of a food processor; pulse just until the olives are finely chopped, scraping down the sides as necessary. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Transfer to bowl and serve or refrigerate.

    Notes

    • Store refrigerated for up to 1 week.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 68kcalCarbohydrates: 3gProtein: 1gFat: 6gSaturated Fat: 1gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 4gSodium: 503mgPotassium: 17mgFiber: 1gSugar: 1gVitamin A: 154IUVitamin C: 3mgCalcium: 12mgIron: 0.2mg
    Keyword baby shower, dinner party, healthy snack
    Tried this recipe?I'd love to see it! Tag me on Instagram at @pinchandswirl or leave me a comment and rating below.

    More Mediterranean Appetizers

    • White Bean Hummus
    • Green Olive Tapenade
    • Spanish Meatballs
    • Baba Ganoush

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

      Leave a Comment Cancel reply

      Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

      Recipe Rating




    1. Valentina says

      December 29, 2022 at 3:05 pm

      What a great idea, Marissa. I love this as a lighter, and equally as delicious, alternative to artichoke dips made with cheese. Fun! 🙂 ~Valentina

      Reply
    2. angiesrecipes says

      December 26, 2022 at 11:14 am

      Such a great appetizer! I have only made tapenade with black olives, and I love the idea of mixing artichokes into this classic dip.

      Reply
      • Marissa Stevens says

        December 28, 2022 at 5:11 pm

        Thank you, Angie! I hope you'll give it a try.

        Reply

    Primary Sidebar

    The best food happens at home. I love delicious food prepared simply with fresh ingredients and that’s just what you’ll find here! You can count on me for well tested, mouthwatering recipes designed for home cooks. Learn more →

    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • YouTube
    • Facebook
    12 Recipes to Know by Heart Book Cover
    Subscribe for Free E-Cookbook

    Reader Favorites

    • Oven Roasted Crispy Pork Belly
    • Lemon Garlic Pasta
    • Bacon Wrapped Scallops
    • Homemade Ramen Noodles
    • Homemade Tonic Water
    • Shrimp Tacos
    • Mashed Red Potatoes
    • Gyro Meat Recipe
    • Pork Belly Ramen
    • Grilled Lamb Chops

    Footer

    ↑ back to top

    About

    • Privacy Policy
    • Terms & Conditions

    Newsletter

    • Sign Up!

    Contact

    • Meet Marissa
    • Contact

    Copyright © 2022 PinchandSwirl

    • Facebook
    • Pinterest
    • Email