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Easy Greek Olive Tapenade

Easy Greek Olive Tapenade

Easy Greek Olive Tapenade is a quick and flavorful Mediterranean spread bursting with the rich taste of Kalamata olives, fresh herbs, garlic, capers, and a touch of tangy lemon juice. Ready in under 10 minutes, this vibrant and wholesome recipe is perfect for snacking, entertaining, or enhancing your favorite dishes with authentic Greek flavors.

Ingredients

Scale

Base Ingredients

  • 1 cup Greek olives (Kalamata or other dark olives), pitted
  • 2 garlic cloves, finely minced
  • 2 tablespoons capers, finely chopped
  • 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
  • 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
  • 2 tablespoons fresh herbs (oregano, thyme, or parsley), chopped
  • ¼ teaspoon black pepper

Instructions

  1. Prepare your ingredients: Pit the olives if necessary, and finely chop the garlic cloves and capers to ensure a smooth but slightly textured tapenade without large chunks.
  2. Combine ingredients in a bowl or food processor: Place the olives, garlic, capers, and fresh herbs into a mixing bowl or food processor. Add a generous drizzle of extra virgin olive oil to help blend the salty, savory ingredients uniformly.
  3. Add lemon juice and seasonings: Pour in the fresh lemon juice and sprinkle in black pepper. Pulse or stir the mixture until it reaches your preferred texture, whether chunky or spread-like.
  4. Taste and adjust: Sample the tapenade and adjust the seasoning as needed. Add more olive oil for silkiness or lemon juice for brightness to balance the flavors perfectly.
  5. Serve or refrigerate: Transfer the tapenade to a serving dish or airtight container. Chill for at least one hour to allow flavors to meld further, or serve immediately at room temperature for optimal taste.

Notes

  • Choose quality olives, such as Kalamata, for authentic flavor and meaty texture.
  • Pulse ingredients just enough to combine without pureeing into a paste, preserving texture.
  • Use freshly squeezed lemon juice for the brightest and freshest flavor.
  • Let the tapenade rest in the fridge for at least 30 minutes to deepen and meld the flavors.
  • Serve at room temperature by removing from the fridge about 15 minutes before serving.

Nutrition

Keywords: Greek olive tapenade, Mediterranean appetizer, vegan olive spread, quick olive dip, Kalamata olive tapenade