Sesame Free Pomegranate & Mint Olive Tapenade
This tapenade is a showstopper — 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 you a deep, savory base, while fresh mint and lemon zest keep everything feeling lively and fresh. Capers and a touch of cumin add just enough complexity to make people ask what's in it. Store-bought tapenades and Mediterranean dips can be sneaky about hidden ingredients, but this one is built entirely from whole, recognizable components with no sesame paste, tahini, or anything close to it. The technique matters here — pulsing rather than blending keeps the texture chunky and satisfying, and folding in the pomegranate by hand means every bite has a little jewel-like pop of sweetness. A quick rest in the fridge lets the flavors come together beautifully before you serve it. Spread it on crusty bread, spoon it over grilled chicken, or set it out as a party dip — it disappears fast either way.
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!