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This Mediterranean olive tapenade without anchovies is a 5 minute dip with just three ingredients! My favorite way to eat black olive tapenade is with homemade fried za'atar pita chips.
![Easy Mediterranean Olive Tapenade (Vegan - No Anchovies) (1) Easy Mediterranean Olive Tapenade (Vegan - No Anchovies) (1)](https://i0.wp.com/thematbakh.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/black-olive-tapenade.jpg)
My friend, Farida, was kind enough to share with me this easy black olive tapenade recipe after I ate the whole bowl at her home. Mediterranean cuisine is no stranger to olives (and olive oil).
What You'll Love
Make this easy olive tapenade recipe with THREE ingredients: olives, olive oil, and garlic cloves. The beauty of this simple appetizer is how quick it is to make.
This easy appetizer is great for family gatherings, holidays, or weekend entertaining. Serve with crusty bread, sun-dried tomatoes, feta cheese, fresh herbs, and white wine.
What is Tapenade?
Tapenades originated in the south of France but can be found all along the Mediterranean. Tapenade is a thick paste made traditionally from black olives, however more contemporary tapenade recipes use green olives instead. A tapenade is salty and can be made with a variety of ingredients, including anchovies, anchovy paste, or capers.
![Easy Mediterranean Olive Tapenade (Vegan - No Anchovies) (2) Easy Mediterranean Olive Tapenade (Vegan - No Anchovies) (2)](https://i0.wp.com/thematbakh.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/Black-Olive-Tapenade-01.jpg)
We've compiled a complete guide to black and green olives if you want to know a little more about the different types of olives and olive origins.
Ingredient Notes
- Black sliced olives: The easiest way to prepare this homemade olive tapenade is by using pre-pitted olives. I found a jar of sliced and pitted black olives, so I'm using that. The sliced olives look similar to pizza black olives, so you can't miss them at the grocery store. I've also made black olive tapenade using canned whole pitted black olives, which turned out equally great.
- Garlic: Use one clove of fresh garlic.
- Some EVOO: You need just a little bit of high-quality extra virgin olive oil.
- Salt: Just a pinch of salt to tie everything together.
![Easy Mediterranean Olive Tapenade (Vegan - No Anchovies) (3) Easy Mediterranean Olive Tapenade (Vegan - No Anchovies) (3)](https://i0.wp.com/thematbakh.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/Black-Olive-Tapenade-05.jpg)
How To Make Mediterranean Olive Tapenade
Rinse the olives after you drain them from the can/jar. Chop the fresh garlic a little bit prior to adding it to the food processor (to reduce the chances of a single chunk of garlic landing in your mouth).
![Easy Mediterranean Olive Tapenade (Vegan - No Anchovies) (4) Easy Mediterranean Olive Tapenade (Vegan - No Anchovies) (4)](https://i0.wp.com/thematbakh.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/Black-Olive-Tapenade-09.jpg)
Add the olives, chopped garlic, and olive oil to the food processor.
![Easy Mediterranean Olive Tapenade (Vegan - No Anchovies) (5) Easy Mediterranean Olive Tapenade (Vegan - No Anchovies) (5)](https://i0.wp.com/thematbakh.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/Black-Olive-Tapenade-08.jpg)
Blend, then stop and scrape the sides of the food processor a few times (to ensure you get everything pulsed evenly).
![Easy Mediterranean Olive Tapenade (Vegan - No Anchovies) (6) Easy Mediterranean Olive Tapenade (Vegan - No Anchovies) (6)](https://i0.wp.com/thematbakh.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/black-olive-tapenade-3.jpg)
Do not add any liquid or water to the tapenade. The food processor should give an olive tapenade consistency like the above. Serve with fresh bread.
Tips and Tricks
- If your black olives are not salted, add salt to taste after pulsing the olive tapenade.
- Use pitted olives to save time and sanity!
- If using whole pitted olives in lieu of sliced olives, measure about 25% more into the food processor. So if using 2 cups of sliced olives, use 2.5 cups of whole pitted olives.
Variations
Change the olives. Make kalamata olive tapenade using kalamata olives. Try castelvetrano olives or nicoise olives. Use any pitted olive you have available.
Some traditional olive tapenades use some form of anchovy (either paste or whole anchovies). The anchovies add a complex flavor to the tapenade. I prefer no anchovies, but it's up to you!
What To Serve With Olive Tapenade
Serve olive tapenade as a dip. Here are some options to eat it with:
- Chips: fried pita chips, baked pita chips, or tortilla chips
- Crackers
- Bread: Homemade french bread, whole wheat toast, toasted croissants, pita bread, Algerian Kesra flatbread, the list is endless
- As part of a mezze platter: serve this Mediterranean spread alongside eggplant dip, a charcuterie board, baguette slices, roasted garlic, fresh vegetables, and fresh tomatoes.
![Easy Mediterranean Olive Tapenade (Vegan - No Anchovies) (7) Easy Mediterranean Olive Tapenade (Vegan - No Anchovies) (7)](https://i0.wp.com/thematbakh.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/Black-Olive-Tapenade-06.jpg)
Storage
Store the black olive spread tapenade in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days. I do not recommend storing tapenade in the freezer or leaving it at room temperature.
More Dip Recipes
- Homemade Labneh Dip From Milk
- Roasted Red Pepper Hummus
- Baba Ganoush Without Tahini
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📋 Recipe
Easy Mediterranean Olive Tapenade (Vegan - No Anchovies)
Author: Lily
Course: Dip
Cuisine: Algerian
Prep: 5 minutes mins
Total: 5 minutes mins
3.34 from 6 votes
Print Pin Rate
Servings 8
This easy Mediterranean black olive tapenade spread is made without anchovies and only uses 3 ingredients: black olives, olive oil, and garlic. It is the perfect vegan party dip and can be made in 5 minutes.
IngredientsUS Customary - Metric
US Customary - Metric
- 2 cups sliced black olives or 2½ cups of whole pitted olives**
- 1 garlic clove
- 2 tablespoon olive oil
- ½ teaspoon salt or to taste
Instructions
Drain sliced black olives. Rinse with water using a strainer.
Peel and chop the garlic.
Add the chopped garlic, sliced black olives, olive oil, and salt to a food processor. Blend on high.
Stop the blender and scrape the sides. Blend on high.
Store the black olive spread tapenade in an airtight container or enjoy right away!
Notes
- The olive spread can be stored in the fridge for up to 5 days.
- I purchase 2 cans of whole pitted black olives (about 6 ounces in size). The olives were the perfect amount for this recipe.
Nutrition
Serving: 8g | Calories: 130kcal | Carbohydrates: 4g | Protein: 0g | Fat: 13g | Saturated Fat: 0g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 13g | Trans Fat: 0g | Cholesterol: 0mg | Sodium: 500mg | Fiber: 0g | Sugar: 0g
More Homemade Dips and Sauces
- Mediterranean Grilled Eggplant Dip
- Garlic Guacamole With Tomatoes
- Homemade Garlic Butter Sauce
- Meat Lasagna Tomato Sauce (From Scratch!)
About Lily
Howdy! My name Lilian, but my friends call me Lily. I'm the founder and one of the recipe authors here at The Matbakh. I enjoy sunsets, long walks to the fridge, meaningful relationships, and anything related to food. I'm so happy you are here!
Reader Interactions
Comments
Phil Reynolds
It is, of course, technically not a tapenade at all since it includes no capers (Provençal for “capers” is “tapenas”) but it sounds interesting enough to try.
Reply
Lily
Thanks for the comment!
Reply
Janelle
I have a jar of different coloured olives, do you think it would matter too much I use different coloured olives for this recipe?
Reply
Lily
Hi Janelle, that's a great question. You can sub colored olives for black olives if you prefer!
Reply
Jess
This was a hit at my friend's celebration over the weekend. Everyone loved it.Reply
Lily
Great to hear that!
Reply