Capsaicin Free Pomegranate & Mint Olive Tapenade
This tapenade is a showstopper — briny, bright, and just a little bit unexpected thanks to the jewel-like pomegranate arils folded in at the end. The combination of Kalamata and green olives gives you a layered saltiness, while fresh mint and lemon zest lift the whole thing into something that feels genuinely special. Because the arils and herbs are stirred in by hand rather than blitzed in the food processor, they stay whole and vivid, adding little bursts of sweetness and color throughout. For anyone avoiding capsaicin, tapenade can be a tricky category — many versions sneak in red pepper flakes or spicy peppers — but every ingredient here is naturally heat-free, with black pepper and cumin doing the gentle flavor work instead. A short rest in the fridge lets everything meld together beautifully before it hits the table. Serve it spread over crusty bread, spooned alongside roasted vegetables, or as part of a cheese board where it will absolutely steal the show.
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
6 servings
- 1 ½ cups pitted kalamata olives
- ½ cup pitted green olives
- ½ cup pomegranate arils
- 3 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
- 2 tbsp capers, drained
- 1 tbsp fresh lemon juice
- 1 tsp lemon zest
- 1 small garlic clove, minced
- ¼ cup fresh mint leaves, loosely packed
- ¼ tsp black pepper
- ¼ tsp ground cumin
- 2 tbsp fresh flat-leaf parsley, roughly chopped (optional)
Instructions
- 1
Combine the Kalamata olives, green olives, capers, garlic, lemon juice, lemon zest, black pepper, and cumin in a food processor. Pulse 8–10 times until the mixture is coarsely chopped and no whole olives remain, but the texture is still chunky — not a smooth paste.
- 2
Add the extra virgin olive oil and pulse 3–4 more times until the oil is incorporated and the tapenade holds together loosely.
Want the full recipe?
Create a Fig account for step-by-step instructions, access to our full recipe library, and more!