Cast Iron Keto
menu icon
subscribe
search icon
×

Classic Olive Tapenade (Keto-friendly!)

Published: · Updated: by · Leave a Comment

Jump to Recipe Jump to Video Print Recipe

Say hello to our Classic Keto Olive Tapenade spread, the flavor bomb sure to win your taste buds! It's made of this divine mix of black and green olives, capers, and herbs. Instant flavor heaven, right? And the cherry on top? It's a cinch to whip up and super versatile. Slap it on your sandwich, jazz up your appetizers, or top your grilled chicken or fish for a taste sensation.

Tapenade recipe.
Jump to:

Preparation and cooking overview

To make this easy spread, put all of your ingredients in the food processor and process till you get a chunky mix. Within just 20 minutes, you'll have a fresh, homemade keto olive spread to enjoy with your favorite cornbread or keto dinner rolls. 

Chef's note

This tasty appetizer is low-carb, vegan, and grain free. If you love savory food and tangy olive flavors, this will be your new favorite dip! The fun thing about this recipe is that you can carry it in a small container and enjoy it with your lunch and share it with friends. Found your sub or takeaway boring? Just add your tapenade and enjoy the flavor burst.

  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Total Time: 10 Minutes
  • Difficulty Level: Easy
  • Recipe Makes 4 Servings

Ingredients for this classic olive tapenade recipe

Ingredients like pitted green olives, pitted black olives, capers, garlic clove, lemon juice, olive oil, black pepper, fresh thyme, basil placed on top of kitchen table.
  • 3 oz pitted green olives
  • 3 oz pitted black olives
  • 2 oz capers
  • 1 garlic clove
  • 1 tablespoon lemon juice, freshly squeezed
  • Zest of 1 lemon
  • 2 ½ tablespoon olive oil
  • ¼ teaspoon black pepper
  • 4-5 leaves of basil
  • 4-5 sprigs of fresh thyme

Ingredient substitutions

  • Green olives: Kalamata olives can be used as a flavorful alternative.
  • Black olives: You can substitute with Gaeta olives if black olives are not available.
  • Capers: If you don't have capers, you can use an equal quantity of caper berries or a small amount of chopped green olives or pickles to mimic the briny flavor.
  • Garlic clove: You can use ⅛ teaspoon of garlic powder if you don't have fresh garlic.
  • Lemon zest: If you don't have fresh lemons, you can always use orange or lime zest as a replacement.
  • Fresh basil and thyme: If you don't have fresh herbs use a dry alternative. 1 teaspoon of dried basil and dried thyme works fine.

Additional ingredients

You can always experiment with additional ingredients or toppings. For example, you can add the following:

  • Anchovies: Add anchovies for extra omega-3 and an umami flavor.
  • Sun-dried tomatoes: Use them in small quantities for an extra flavorful tapenade.
  • Red pepper flakes: Add them if you want a bit of heat to this dipping mix.
  • Parsley: Add this for a dash of fresh flavor to the tapenade.
  • Balsamic vinegar or red wine vinegar: Add a splash to introduce some acidity to the sauce.
Keto Olive Tapenade served on kitchen bowl with some veggies.

Cooking tools required

To make this Keto-friendly Classic Olive Tapenade recipe, you need the following tools:

  • Food processor
  • Glass jar
  • Spoon

Tool substitutes list

  • Food processor: If you don't have a food processor, you can use a blender. If you use a blender, blend in short pulses and check the texture frequently.
  • Glass jar: If you don't have a glass jar, you can use any storage container with a tight lid.
Classic Olive Tapenade served on a plate along with some olives, capers, sliced radish, sliced cucumbers and lemon.

How to make Classic Olive Tapenade: step-by-step guide

Cooking methods

  • Blending

Preparation steps

  1. Gather all the required ingredients for the recipe.
  2. Measure the ingredients and prepare for blending.
  3. Set up your processor or blender.

Cooking instructions

  1. Combine the green olives, black olives, capers, garlic, thyme, basil leaves, lemon juice, olive oil, and black pepper in a food processor until the mixture is slightly chunky and easy to spread. Be careful not to overprocess.
  2. Season to taste with additional black pepper and salt if desired.
  3. Serve immediately or transfer to an airtight container and store in the refrigerator until ready to use.
Adding olives to mixture,
Preparation process of Keto Tapenade Recipe.
Adding olive oil to the mixture of ingredients to make Classic Olive Tapenade.
Using mixture to mix and grind the ingredients.

Chef's pro tip

When whipping up your tapenade, keep an eye on the texture. Don't go overboard and blend it into a smooth puree—aim for a bit of chunkiness that'll add some texture to every bite. Also, be sure to give it a taste test and tweak the flavors as you go. This will help you dodge a too-salty or oily end result. So, gear up to strike that perfect balance of flavor and texture for a homemade tapenade that'll keep everyone coming back for more.

What to serve with this classic olive tapenade?

A dip can only be labeled "best" if you can enjoy it both as a dip and a spread to enjoy with other keto snacks, meat, and salads. Luckily, our Keto-Friendly Classic Olive Tapenade recipe checks all the boxes. You can savor it in so many forms and with so many other dishes. For example:

  • Low-carb crackers or bread: Enjoy your low-carb, grain-free crackers, cornbread, or dinner rolls with this sauce.
  • Fresh veggies: If you love raw veggies like bell pepper strips, cucumber slices, celery sticks, and cherry tomatoes, you can dip them in this sauce and enjoy.
  • Cheese: Enjoy a slice of hard cheese like cheddar or gouda with tapenade.
  • Grilled or baked meat: You can use the tapenade as a topping or a side for grilled chicken, steak, or fish.
  • Salads: You can also use this tapenade as a salad topper. It pairs well with fresh greens and adds a burst of flavor.
  • Eggs: Try this spread with scrambled eggs or frittata.
  • Avocado: Spread some tapenade over a halved, ripe avocado for a healthy, delicious snack or meal.
  • Stuffed mushrooms: Add tapenade as a stuffing for mushrooms and bake them in the oven.
Classic Olive Tapenade ready on a serving bowl.

Time-saving tips

  • Buy pitted olives.
  • Make garlic cubes and use them when necessary. We'll explain how!

How to make garlic cubes?

Here's the process of making garlic cubes and using them in cooking:

  1. Peel and mince the garlic cloves: Start by peeling the garlic cloves and mincing them into small pieces. You can use a knife or a garlic press for this step.
  2.  Place the minced garlic in an ice cube tray: Take an ice cube tray and distribute the minced garlic evenly into each compartment. Fill them up to about ¾ full, leaving a bit of space for expansion when freezing.
  3.  Add oil or water (optional): If desired, you can add a small amount of oil (such as olive oil) or water to each garlic cube compartment. This helps to preserve the garlic and prevents it from drying out.
  4.  Freeze the garlic cubes: Place the ice cube tray in the freezer and let the garlic cubes freeze until solid. This usually takes a few hours.
  5.  Transfer the frozen garlic cubes to a freezer bag or container: Wait until the garlic cubes are completely frozen, remove them from the tray, and move to a freezer bag or container. Label it with the date for easy reference.
  6.  Use the garlic cubes in cooking: When you need garlic for a recipe, simply take out the desired number of garlic cubes from the freezer and add them directly to your dish. The frozen garlic cubes will melt and release their flavor while cooking.

Note: Garlic cubes can be used in various recipes, including soups, stews, sauces, stir-fries, and more. Adjust the number of garlic cubes according to your taste preference.

By making and freezing garlic cubes, you can conveniently have minced garlic readily available for your cooking needs, saving time and effort in the kitchen.

Classic Keto Olive Tapenade along with some sliced carrots and cucumbers on a kitchen table.

What can I prepare ahead of time?

  • If you have unpitted olives at home, make sure to pit them.
  • Prepare the lemon zest and juice in advance, and store them separately in the refrigerator.

Storage instructions

Transfer your tapenade to an airtight container and store it in the refrigerator for a week. For optimal freshness and flavor, consuming it within the first couple of days is best.

Recipe wrap-up and conclusion

Tapenade—it's a classic French gem that's beloved in Mediterranean and French cuisines. We made this keto version and made sure it's got all that rich, French charm and Mediterranean zing but stays totally low-carb. Think of it as a spread or dip packed with a hearty mix of olives, capers, and aromatic herbs, ready to take your snack game to a whole new level.

So, how about giving it a whirl? We're super pumped for you to try this recipe and fall head over heels just like we did. And hey, don't forget to spread the love—share this nutritious and colorful chunky sauce with your friends and fam and tag us on social!

Frequently asked questions

No, you can use any black or green olives in this recipe. However, we highly recommend using Nicoise and Kalamata olives for their exceptional taste.

This is likely due to the olives and capers, which are typically packed in brine and can be quite salty. So, always rinse them well before using, and taste before adding any extra salt. Don't add salt when you process the ingredients. Wait until everything is blended, then decide if it needs more salt.

This could be due to over-processing the ingredients or adding too much oil. To prevent this, pulse until you get a chunky consistency, and be cautious with your oil; add it slowly. Adding the oil all at once will give you no control over the consistency, so add the oil gradually and keep an eye on the consistency.

You can freeze this easy keto olive spread in an airtight container for up to 3 months. Before serving, thaw it in the refrigerator.

📖 Recipe

Keto friendly Classic Olive Tapenade made ready to be eaten.

Classic Olive Tapenade

Indulge in the rich flavors of our Classic Keto Olive Tapenade, a versatile and easy-to-make spread bursting with the goodness of olives, capers, and herbs.
No ratings yet
Print Rate Pin Recipe
Course: Dip, Salsa
Cuisine: French, Mediterranean
Keyword: classic olive tapenade, olive spread
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 10 minutes
Servings: 4
Calories: 146kcal

Ingredients

  • 3 oz pitted green olives
  • 3 oz pitted black olives
  • 2 oz capers
  • 1 garlic clove
  • 1 tablespoon lemon juice freshly squeezed
  • Zest of 1 lemon
  • 2 ½ tablespoon olive oil
  • ¼ teaspoon black pepper
  • 4-5 leaves of basil
  • 4-5 sprigs of fresh thyme

Instructions

  • Combine the green olives, black olives, capers, garlic, oregano, basil leaves, lemon juice, olive oil, and black pepper in a food processor until the mixture is slightly chunky and easy to spread. Be careful not to overprocess.
  • Taste it, and add black pepper if you think it needs an additional kick. If you're using unsalted olives, you can add more salt at this stage.
  • The tapenade is ready to serve immediately! But you can pour it to the glass jar and keep it in the fridge.

Video

Nutrition

Nutrition Facts
Classic Olive Tapenade
Amount Per Serving
Calories 146 Calories from Fat 135
% Daily Value*
Fat 15g23%
Saturated Fat 2g13%
Polyunsaturated Fat 2g
Monounsaturated Fat 11g
Sodium 1056mg46%
Potassium 40mg1%
Carbohydrates 3g1%
Fiber 2g8%
Sugar 0.4g0%
Protein 1g2%
Vitamin A 262IU5%
Vitamin C 4mg5%
Calcium 35mg4%
Iron 1mg6%
*

Nutritional values are estimates only and do not include carbs from sugar alcohols.

# Hashtag with us!Don't forget to mention @castiron_keto or tag #castironketo on Instagram with your creations! We love seeing what you're making.
«
»

Reader Interactions

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating