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Bright, zesty, buttery Green Olive Tapenade is not just for piling onto crusty bread and crispy crostini (though you should do that too). It’s that magic finishing touch for everything from fish and chicken to sandwiches and pasta.

Green Olive Tapenade photographed from above served in a white bowl with crostini around.
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Tapenade is the fastest and easiest way to add a quintessential Mediterranean element to any meal. And when I say quick and easy, I mean it – making tapenade takes less than 10 minutes with a food processor.

Ingredients You Need to Make Green Olive Tapenade

Green Olive Tapenade Ingredients on a white marble board.
  • Castelvetrano Olives: or other pitted green olive
  • Capers: non-pareil capers for the best texture and flavor
  • Olive Oil: good, extra-virgin olive oil
  • Lemon: juice and zest
  • Fresh Parsley: flat leaf parsley (Italian parsley)
  • Garlic: fresh garlic
  • Anchovy Fillet: one or more good quality anchovy fillets, ideally packed in olive oil
  • Black Pepper: freshly ground black pepper

What is Tapenade?

Tapenade is a classic French/Italian appetizer and the very essence of Mediterranean flavors, a savory, earthy olive spread with tangy and herbaceous hints. It’s an olive-based mixture of finely chopped olives and capers, olive oil, fresh garlic, lemon juice and zest with anchovy fillets for a hint of umami. 

Green olives deliver a brighter, more vibrant flavor than the traditional black olives. I use Castelvetrano olives, but use your favorite!

Green Olive Tapenade served in a white bowl with crostini around.

FAQ

What is Tapenade used for?

Tapenade can do it all. It’s a dip, a spread and a seasoning. Use it to make a tangy and complexly flavored vinaigrette, swirl it into a soup, toss it with pasta, or spoon it over seared or grilled fish or chicken or even over a thick steak. It’s that ‘something’ that can take a dish from ordinary to exceptional.

What is the difference between Tapenade and Bruschetta?

The only thing tapenade and bruschetta have in common is that they’re both delicious. Bruschetta is a slice of toasted bread rubbed with garlic, and seasoned with olive oil and salt then topped with endless variations of vegetables, beans, cheeses and cured meats. Sometimes the topping is tapenade, but the most common topping is diced fresh tomatoes and basil.

Is tapenade French or Italian?

The short answer is that tapenade has roots in both nations. Tapenade is a French term (from the Provençal word for capers, tapenas), and the spread is typically found in the Provence region in the south of France. Still, olives and capers are common in the Mediterranean basin, and a recipe for something similar to tapenade can be found in a Roman cookbook by Cato the Elder written thousands of years ago. And today you can find Italian versions of tapenade all around the country’s southern regions. 

How long will homemade olive tapenade last in the refrigerator?

You can enjoy tapenade immediately after making it, but refrigerating it for an hour or more before serving allows the flavors to meld. Keep it refrigerated and enjoy it for up to a week.

Serve With

More Amazing Mediterranean Appetizers

How to Make Green Olive Tapenade

Combine all of the tapenade ingredients (except for black pepper) in the bowl of a food processor. Pulse to finely chop all ingredients. Season to taste with pepper and refrigerate or serve immediately.

Green Olive Tapenade

5 from 3 votes
Prep: 10 minutes
Total: 10 minutes
Course: Appetizer
Cuisine: Mediterranean
Calories: 82
Servings: 8 people
A versatile and vibrant olive tapenade that everyone will love!

Ingredients  

  • 2 cups 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
  • 1/2 teaspoon minced garlic
  • 1 anchovy fillet finely chopped, or more
  • freshly ground black pepper to taste

Instructions 

  • Combine olives, capers, olive oil, fresh lemon juice and zest, parsley, garlic and anchovy fillet 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 pepper. Transfer to bowl and serve or refrigerate. Enjoy for up to 1 week.

Nutrition

Calories: 82kcal | Carbohydrates: 2g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 9g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 6g | Cholesterol: 1mg | Sodium: 582mg | Potassium: 26mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 220IU | Vitamin C: 3mg | Calcium: 21mg | Iron: 1mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

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10 Comments

  1. Ari says:

    Looks delish. What food processor do you recommend?

  2. Mary Ann | The Beach House Kitchen says:

    5 stars
    I’m a huge olive fan Marissa and I happen to have all the ingredients! Can’t wait to make this!

    1. Marissa Stevens says:

      I love to hear that, Mary Ann!

  3. David @ Spiced says:

    5 stars
    Ah, this really would up the flavor on any Mediterranean dish! I love olives, and I’m thinking this tapenade spread over grilled chicken would be a fun little twist. I can’t wait to try it!

    1. Marissa Stevens says:

      Thanks, David! It would be great over grilled chicken.

  4. Ben | Havocinthekitchen says:

    5 stars
    I love Tapenade for its fresh, zesty, and piquant notes, and this variation looks and sounds great! I would definitely love this with my pasta or simply with rustic bread.

    1. Marissa Stevens says:

      Thank you, Ben! Perfect pairings.

  5. angiesrecipes says:

    I adore tapenade and all different sorts of olives. Can’t wait to try your recipe!

    1. Marissa Stevens says:

      I love to hear that, Angie!