Cinnamon Free Pomegranate & Mint Olive Tapenade
This tapenade is a showstopper on any spread — briny, bright, and just a little unexpected thanks to the burst of pomegranate arils folded in at the end. The combination of Kalamata and green olives gives it real depth, while fresh mint and lemon zest keep everything lively and clean-tasting. Capers and garlic round out the savory backbone, and a touch of cumin adds just enough warmth without leaning into any spice blends that might sneak in unwanted ingredients. The technique here matters: pulsing rather than blending keeps the texture satisfyingly chunky, and stirring in the pomegranate and herbs by hand means the arils stay jewel-like and whole instead of turning the whole thing pink. After a short rest in the fridge, the flavors meld into something that tastes like it took far more effort than it did. Serve it with crusty bread, crackers, or alongside roasted vegetables and watch it disappear fast.
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!