Kalamata Olive Tapenade

This Kalamata Olive Tapenade is a healthy gluten free appetizer recipe that's bursting with Mediterranean flavors. Perfect on crostini!

This Mediterranean Olive Tapenade is totally made for parties - It's ready in minutes, FULL of flavor, and best served on bite-size crostini.

Who else is ready for winter to be over? Normally I enjoy winter and encourage others to do the same but this past winter I was basically a giant whiny baby.

It might have something to do with the fact that we traveled to Texas in January and that little taste of warm weather kind of tricked my mind into believing that winter was almost over. The winter months that followed our return home have felt extra long and cold and bitter.

OK, I'll stop complaining. It's now springtime and summer is on the way. Summer is a VERY social time for Minnesotans. This is because we have a tendency to hibernate throughout the winter and many of our social gatherings get crammed into the summer months.

On any given summer weekend you can find some kind of town festival, county fair, family reunion, or grill-out to attend. Social gatherings often require attendees to bring a dish to share. This Kalamata Olive Tapenade is perfect.

Jump to:

• What Are Kalamata Olives?
• Are Kalamata Olives Gluten Free?
• Ingredients For Olive Tapenade
• How To Get The Best Texture For Olive Tapenade
• How To Make Crostini For Tapenade
• What To Serve With Kalamata Olive Tapenade
• What Else Goes With Kalamata Tapenade?
• Kalamata Olive Tapenade

What Are Kalamata Olives?

A Kalamata Olive differs in color and flavor from the more common black or green olives that we consume in the United States. They grow on trees in southern Greece and are full of nutrients.

They are brined in red wine vinegar and salt which helps to give them their distinct flavor.

You can find Kalamata Olives at most grocery stores these days - They are an excellent addition to pasta, pizza, or anything else you want to give a bump of flavor.

I love to use them when making tapenade. A tapenade is a spread or dip usually made with olives, capers, and anchovies. It's great with bread or anything that's sort of cracker-y.

I made a grilled mushroom tapenade last summer (it's a great vegan alternative to this version)! Both versions make for awesome party fare.

Are Kalamata Olives Gluten Free?

Kalamata olives are almost always naturally gluten free, but it's best to check labels just to be certain.

Make sure that the Kalamata olives used to make this tapenade are pitted, or you can remove the pits yourself. The pits are inedible and can be a choking hazard if they end up in the tapenade.

1. For this recipe all you need is 1 6 oz. jar of pitted Kalamata olives.
2. Simply pour them into a colander and drain the liquid before adding them to the food processor.

Ingredients For Olive Tapenade

One trademark ingredient that gives tapenade its distinct flavor is anchovy paste. You might be wrinkling your nose at the words 'anchovy paste' and I don't entirely blame you.

BUT, anchovies have SO much flavor and don't taste 'fishy' (as long as you don't add too much). To quote Bobby Flay - "Anchovies are the bacon of the sea."

Anchovy paste comes in a tube, you can use only as much or as little as you need, and then you can save the rest for another recipe (just be sure to store it in the fridge). It can be found at most grocery stores in the canned seafood aisle.

1. Pour the drained Kalamata Olives into a food processor.
2. Add 1 Tbsp. of the anchovy paste, 1-2 cloves of garlic, the zest of 1 lemon, 1 Tbsp. lemon juice, a pinch of salt and pepper, and ¼ cup of minced chives.

How To Get The Best Texture For Olive Tapenade

One step I recommend while adding the ingredients to the food processor is to grate the garlic with a Microplane or small grater.

1. This will ensure that the garlic breaks down and you aren't left with big chunks of raw garlic. You can also use garlic paste if you want to simplify this step!
2. Once all the ingredients are in the food processor tighten the cover and pulse JUST until combined. 8-10 short pulses should be enough to break all of the ingredients down into the right consistency.

If pulsed too much the tapenade with become mushy and unappetizing. This is another reason I prefer to grate my garlic - If it's already broken down it won't require tons of extra pulsing.

How To Make Crostini For Tapenade

The best way to serve this Kalamata Olive tapenade is on some toasted crostini or crackers of some kind.

1. To make the crostini simply heat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
2. Cut a baguette into small slices and place them on a baking sheet.
3. Drizzle the pieces of bread with a Tbsp. or so of olive oil and pop the baking sheet into the oven for 5-6 minutes.
4. Once the bread is lightly toasted remove the pan from the oven and place the pieces on a serving tray.

The tapenade itself is gluten free and to keep the whole recipe gluten free simply use gluten free bread (I love a gluten free baguette).

Otherwise, ANY type of gluten free cracker will work. And if you're not gluten free then feel free to use your favorite bread or cracker!

What To Serve With Kalamata Olive Tapenade

Place the tapenade in a small serving bowl and serve immediately or place in the fridge for a few hours.

Sprinkle more of the minced chives on top of the tapenade for a little extra flavor and a pop of color. This dish is delicious but it's not the most attractive thing in the world - Kalamata olive tapenade won't be scoring any modeling contracts.

You can use ANY type of herb you like! Parsley, tarragon, or dill would all be great options.

The point of the herbs is just to add freshness and color so go with whichever one feels right to you.

Looking for more party appetizers? Don't miss these recipes!

• Crockpot BBQ Turkey Meatballs
• Spiced Roasted Nuts
• Air Fryer Breaded Mushrooms
• Teriyaki Turkey Meatballs
• Chipotle Rice Balls
• Lemon Rosemary Toasted Almonds
• Prosciutto Feta Stuffed Dates

What Else Goes With Kalamata Tapenade?

This tapenade would also make a great spread for muffaletta sandwiches or as a flatbread or pizza topping.

It can be served with any type of bread or crackers. Olive tapenade is also great with a crudite platter served with vegetables like carrots, bell peppers, or tomatoes.

Tapenade pairs well with artisan cheeses and cured meats like salami, prosciutto, or capocollo and makes the perfect addition to a charcuterie board or cheese board.

It can be added to a pasta sauce, mixed in with homemade salad dressing, or drizzled on roasted meats.

Love appetizer dips? Check out these recipes!

• Baba Ghanoush Eggplant Dip
• Roasted Mushroom Tapenade
• Butternut Squash Parmesan Dip
• Lemony Spinach Artichoke Dip
• Mediterranean White Bean Dip

For appetizer bites, try these recipes!

• Spinach Artichoke Stuffed Mushrooms
• Smoked Salmon Dill Crostini
• Mushroom Gruyere Tartlets
• Prosciutto Wrapped Roasted Asparagus
• Gruyere Prosciutto Tartlets

Looking For More Mediterranean Appetizers? Don't Miss These!

Mediterranean Baked Feta Dip

Polenta Fries

Hummus without Tahini