Gut Friendly Garlic-Herb Olive Tapenade
Rich, briny, and loaded with fresh herbs, this olive tapenade is the kind of condiment that makes everything it touches taste more interesting. Castelvetrano olives bring a buttery mildness that balances the deeper, more intense flavor of Kalamatas, while garlic, thyme, rosemary, parsley, and lemon zest layer in brightness and complexity. A splash of apple cider vinegar ties it all together with just enough tang to keep things lively. The food processor does the heavy lifting — a few quick pulses and you've got a rough, textured spread that's far more satisfying than anything smooth and uniform. Olives are naturally rich in beneficial fats and polyphenols, and keeping the preparation simple with whole, recognizable ingredients means nothing processed or gut-disrupting sneaks in. Spread it over rice crackers, stir it into roasted vegetables, or spoon it alongside grilled proteins for an easy flavor upgrade. A jar of this in the fridge is genuinely one of the most useful things you can have on hand.
About FigFig is a food discovery app that helps you find foods and recipes that fit your dietary needs. Whether you have food allergies, intolerances, or follow a specific diet, Fig makes it easy to eat with confidence.
Learn more →Ingredients
8 servings
- 1 cup pitted castelvetrano olives
- ½ cup pitted kalamata olives
- 2 cloves garlic, roughly chopped
- 3 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil
- 1 tsp apple cider vinegar
- 2 tbsp fresh flat-leaf parsley, roughly chopped
- 1 tbsp fresh thyme leaves
- 1 tbsp fresh rosemary, finely chopped
- 1 tsp fresh lemon zest
- ¼ tsp fine sea salt, or to taste
- 1 tbsp fresh basil leaves, torn (optional)
Instructions
- 1
Combine the Castelvetrano olives, Kalamata olives, garlic, parsley, thyme, rosemary, and lemon zest in the bowl of a food processor. Pulse 8–10 times, until the mixture is coarsely chopped and no whole olives remain.
- 2
Add the olive oil and apple cider vinegar, then pulse 4–6 more times until the tapenade reaches a rough, spreadable consistency — it should still have visible texture, not be a smooth paste.
Want the full recipe?
Create a Fig account for step-by-step instructions, access to our full recipe library, and more!