Hey! I'm Des!
Welcome to Life’s Ambrosia where Dinner is served and memories are made. Here you will find over 1000 tried and true recipes for every possible occasion. In the last 10 years, this blog has helped millions of families put dinner on the table and create food memories. Let me help you too.
Easy Artichoke Tapenade
Easy Artichoke Tapenade is the perfect spread for breads, to add to sandwiches and is a must for cheese boards. Make it for your next party!
Let’s be honest for a minute. Appetizers are the best. I know I know, lots of people are all “desserts are everything!” But 9 times out of 10 I will have an appetizer and skip dessert.
I am especially a sucker for cheese boards and all the loveliness that goes with them.
When making a cheese board, one of my favorite things is the spreads that go alongside the cheese and meats. This artichoke tapenade recipe made with artichoke hearts, garlic, capers, kalamata olives, lemon juice and olive oil is always a good choice. Spread on crackers or crostini and it’s the perfect bite for parties.
What is tapenade?
You have probably heard of an olive tapenade. It originated in France and is traditionally it is a puree of olives, capers, anchovies and olive oil. They are common as dips for bread or as spreads on sandwiches. I love adding tapenade to my Italian Pressed Sandwiches.
You can buy tapenades at just about any grocery store. They are sold canned in the condiment section or fresh made and served in the deli. But guess what, they are crazy easy to make. With just a few ingredients you can make your own in a flash.
Personally, I have always enjoyed tapenades. I love their tangy, salty, briny flavor. You will notice that there aren’t any other seasonings in this recipe, namely salt. That is intentional. Because all of the ingredients in tapenade (capers, olives, etc) tend to have a higher salt content so you will not need any additional salt this recipe.
As much as I like traditional olive tapenade, I decided to switch things up a bit when I made this Easy Artichoke Tapenade. Instead of using only olives, I added a can of artichoke hearts to the mix. Because I am a HUGE fan of them. I use them in my Creamy Artichoke Jalapeno Dip, Artichoke Tomato Bake and even made Spinach & Artichoke Stuffing.
For this recipe, you will want to use artichoke hearts that aren’t marinated. You can find them in the aisle next to the other canned vegetables. Marinated artichokes will give you a slightly different flavor because they are seasoned. They’ll work in a pinch if you can’t find others.
What do you serve tapenade with?
You can serve tapenade with many different things. You can spread it on crackers. Use it as a sandwich spread. Stir it into pasta. Or spoon it over some fish.
My personal favorite though? Keeping it simple and serving it on some bread. Alongside a glass of wine. Obviously.
Love artichokes? Looking for more artichoke recipes? Try these:
Instant Pot Artichoke with Dipping Sauce
Note: Recipe originally posted in 2010. This post was updated with new photos, nutrition information and a video in 2021. .
Easy Artichoke Tapenade
Ingredients
Ingredients:
- 1 14 ounce can artichoke hearts, drained
- 7 pitted kalamata olives
- 1 clove garlic chopped
- 1 tablespoon non-pareil capers
- 1 teaspoon lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
Instructions
- Place artichoke hearts, kalamata olives, garlic, capers and lemon juice in a food processor. Pulse until mixture is chopped fine.
- Remove lid add in olive oil. Pulse a couple more times until well combined.
- Transfer to a bowl and refrigerate for at least an hour or overnight.
- Serve with crackers or crusty french bread.
Notes
Nutrition
Hey! I'm Des!
Welcome to Life’s Ambrosia where Dinner is served and memories are made. Here you will find over 1000 tried and true recipes for every possible occasion. In the last 10 years, this blog has helped millions of families put dinner on the table and create food memories. Let me help you too.
Karen
February 7, 2024 at 6:16 amVery easy, tasty recipe, thank you.
Deseree
February 7, 2024 at 5:18 pmYou’re welcome, Karen! Glad you enjoyed it!
Ann
April 6, 2022 at 11:36 amQuick, easy, delicious, and the ingredients are all items I keep in my pantry! It’s something I’ll make frequently. Thank you!
Deseree
April 6, 2022 at 3:54 pmYou are welcome, Ann!! So happy to hear this! I LOVE making this for party snacks, it’s always a fave :)
Marlene
June 17, 2021 at 8:23 amDelicious. I did add fresh ground pepper to mine.
Deseree
June 19, 2021 at 9:14 amGlad you enjoyed it, Marlene!
Amanda Nel
May 6, 2021 at 10:58 amI’ve only had the olive tapenade before but this one grabbed my attention. What is a party or get together without food?
Liz
May 6, 2021 at 10:31 amSO easy!!! And I could skip dinner and just eat this tapenade! It’s delicious.
Jacqueline
April 23, 2021 at 7:33 pmOMG! Amazing! I forgot the last step: to let it sit for at least an hour. So delicious and low calorie too. This is a keeper! Great recipe! Can’t wait to have it again.
Salina
October 31, 2020 at 5:12 pmIt was amazing. I used sundries black olives in oil.
Rod
September 20, 2019 at 4:09 amI made this and it was so delicious. The only modification I made was I used a teaspoon of the capers brine from the capers jar instead of a using a teaspoon of lemon juice. Was absolutely wonderful…
Deseree
September 20, 2019 at 4:27 pmOoooh I am loving that idea! Going to try that next time, whenever I can get more caper flavor, I do!
Sam
October 29, 2018 at 10:49 amYum! I’ve been using this as a sandwich topping for my work lunches! So easy to make and incredibly delicious, thanks for sharing!
Deseree
October 29, 2018 at 4:19 pmYou are welcome! I am so happy to hear that, that is an excellent use for it! I need to try it :)
Kimberly
October 10, 2018 at 6:56 pmOooh, I love the sound of this, yummy!
Jamielyn
October 10, 2018 at 8:44 amLooks delicious and super addicting :)
Toni | Boulder Locavore
October 10, 2018 at 4:45 amThis is making me hungry! Looks so good!
Katerina @ diethood .com
October 10, 2018 at 3:58 amWOW!! This artichoke spread sounds absolutely amazing!! Perfect for any party!!
Catalina
October 9, 2018 at 11:27 pmThis artichoke spread looks so gread! The perfect appetizer for parties!
Melanie Bauer
October 9, 2018 at 9:18 pmThis recipe looks so insanely delicious! Need to try this immediately!
Paula
October 9, 2018 at 5:07 pmI love tapenades. Such a great item to have out on a charcuterie board.
Alex
June 3, 2012 at 5:45 amThanks for the idea, I made it last night and liked it so much I posted it on my own blog (giving you credit, of course). I like your blog as well, because you make things from scratch.
Kevin
February 13, 2010 at 9:12 amAn artichoke tapenade is a great idea!
Deseree
February 10, 2010 at 8:08 pmThanks everyone! Anu- Sorry for that misspelling- its nonpareil capers. Nonpareil capers are capers about the size of a pea. I prefer these to the bigger capote because nonpareil have a milder flavor and a wonderful aroma. Hope this helps!
Brooke
February 10, 2010 at 2:45 pmI ♥ artichokes – saving this recipe for later!
Anu
February 10, 2010 at 7:54 amwhat are “non-peril” capers? this looks yummy :)
Village Feast
February 9, 2010 at 9:15 pmYummo, this looks so simple and tasty. I will definitely be trying.
Sook @ My Fabulous Recipes
February 9, 2010 at 12:48 pmOh artichoke is one of my new favorites! This looks great! I want to try it.
Erin
February 9, 2010 at 12:26 pmYUM!
Carrie
February 9, 2010 at 9:56 amLovely dip! My husband and I always go all out with nice suppers, too. I’ll think I’ll make this our next nice dinner appetizer!
Maria
February 9, 2010 at 7:30 amGreat recipe. I will be making this very soon!