Mediterranean Olive and Sun-Dried Tomato Tapenade
A rich, bold tapenade combining briny olives and sweet sun-dried tomatoes, perfect for spreading on crusty bread or as a flavorful topping. This mediterranean-inspired snacks (vegan) ready in about 10 minutes turns pitted Kalamata olives, drained capers, minced fresh garlic into a satisfying snack for between meals, packed lunches, or game-day spreads — minimal active time and easy to scale up for a crowd. Each serving lands at about 120 calories and feeds 6, so it fits into lunchboxes, road trips, or an afternoon-energy gap without derailing the day. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 1 cup pitted Kalamata olives
- 1/2 cup, drained sun-dried tomatoes packed in oil
- 2 tbsp, drained capers
- 1 clove, minced fresh garlic
- 3 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
- 1 tbsp fresh lemon juice
- 2 tbsp, chopped fresh parsley
- 1/4 tsp, freshly ground black pepper
Instructions
- Step 1: In a food processor, combine 1 cup pitted Kalamata olives, 1/2 cup drained sun-dried tomatoes, 2 tbsp drained capers, and 1 minced garlic clove. Pulse until coarsely chopped.
- Step 2: With the processor running, slowly drizzle in 3 tbsp extra virgin olive oil and 1 tbsp fresh lemon juice until the mixture forms a chunky paste.
- Step 3: Transfer the tapenade to a bowl and stir in 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley and 1/4 tsp freshly ground black pepper. Adjust seasoning if needed.
- Step 4: Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to let flavors meld before serving with toasted baguette slices or as a condiment.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Mediterranean Olive and Sun-Dried Tomato Tapenade take to make?
Total time is about 10 minutes (10 min prep + 0 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.
How do I store leftover Mediterranean Olive and Sun-Dried Tomato Tapenade?
Store in an airtight container at room temperature for crisp items, or in the fridge for anything dairy- or produce-based, for up to 3–5 days. Re-crisp baked snacks in a 300°F oven for 5 minutes if they soften.
Can I substitute ingredients in Mediterranean Olive and Sun-Dried Tomato Tapenade?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Mediterranean Olive and Sun-Dried Tomato Tapenade for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 6 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 6). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
Is Mediterranean Olive and Sun-Dried Tomato Tapenade vegan?
Yes — this recipe is tagged vegan based on its ingredient list. Always cross-check labels for packaged ingredients (sauces, broths, condiments) since formulations vary by brand.
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