Fig and Olive Tapenade Recipe on Food52 (2024)

Make Ahead

by: Kayb

January14,2011

4.5

6 Ratings

  • Serves 8 as a party snack

Jump to Recipe

Author Notes

I love figs. I love olives. I always have a good supply of both on hand. I wanted a spread to go with crostini for an impromptu gathering one evening, and I went searching to see what I had in my pantry. I came out with a jar of Kalamata olives, a jar of big, green, pimiento-stuffed martini olives, and a box of dried Mission figs. Fifteen minutes later, I had this tapenade, and I still have people asking for the recipe. —Kayb

Test Kitchen Notes

This is our new throw-together-10-minutes-before-the-guests-show-up appetizer. The figs and olives strike a lovely balance of savory and sweet, with the balsamic vinegar adding twang and the rosemary anchoring the spread with its woodsy scent. We made ours in a food processor and loved the fine texture, but chop it all rustic-like if you prefer. Crackers or crostini are a must, but serve it with fresh goat cheese (or parmesan, or blue) for even more party karma. - A&M —The Editors

  • Test Kitchen-Approved

What You'll Need

Ingredients
  • 4 ouncesdried figs
  • 1/2 cupKalamata olives
  • 1/2 cuppimiento-stuffed green olives
  • 2 tablespoonsextra-virgin olive oil, plus more as needed
  • 1 teaspoonminced fresh rosemary
  • 1 tablespoonbalsamic vinegar
Directions
  1. Mince figs and olives finely (or, if you prefer a finer texture, pulse a few times in the food processor).
  2. Add rosemary, balsamic vinegar, and olive oil and mix (or process). You may need to add a little more olive oil to get to the texture and consistency you want.
  3. Serve as a dip or spread with crostini and crackers. I like to serve it alongside goat cheese.

Tags:

  • Italian
  • Vinegar
  • Fig
  • Olive
  • Fruit
  • Make Ahead
  • Serves a Crowd
  • Vegan
  • Vegetarian
  • Gluten-Free
  • Appetizer
  • Snack
Contest Entries
  • Your Best Dip

See what other Food52ers are saying.

  • Kandy Kappler

  • meeshybells

  • Kaite

  • Jaxmccaff

  • Kate

I'm a business professional who learned to cook early on, and have expanded my tastes and my skills as I've traveled and been exposed to new cuisines and new dishes. I love fresh vegetables, any kind of protein on the grill, and breakfasts that involve fried eggs with runny yolks. My recipes tend toward the simple and the Southern, with bits of Asia or the Mediterranean or Mexico thrown in here and there. And a peanut butter and jelly sandwich on a float in the lake, as pictured, is a pretty fine lunch!

Popular on Food52

54 Reviews

Kandy K. August 19, 2022

Could this be made with fresh figs?

fuhsi August 31, 2022

Did anyone answer your question, because I would like to know, too - and would the amount of fresh be equivalent to dry?

marjorie L. December 25, 2021

Great flavor. Must use a sweet, expensive balsamic.. My guests loved it.

Lydia W. November 10, 2018

Great recipe. This is in regular rotation in our house and so easy to make! The goat cheese pairing knocks it out of the park.

Alicia January 2, 2017

I've had this recipe saved for some time but never made it. Then, my dad served it as an appetizer when a family friend came over for dinner. It was so delicious that my husband and I made it ourselves immediately for a New Year's Eve gathering. Everyone has been skeptical about the olive/fig combo, but they have all been won over by this delicious (and incredibly easy to make) dish! Goat cheese and crostini paired with this for the win!

meeshybells December 19, 2015

Hi. I added @2 tbsps of pomegranate molasses, 1/4 c fresh parsley, and 1/4 cup walnuts. I'm going to try it with a clove of fresh garlic as well. Great recipe to be creative with. Thanks for posting. This would work just as well with just the green olives.

Tereza September 9, 2015

yum!

http://lifeandcity.tumblr.com

Ann July 28, 2015

My "tapenade" had a very strong fig taste. I used Mission figs--all the market had that day--and thought I measured the figs carefully. Anyway, I liked the recipe but was disappointed that I simply could not taste the olives at all. I'd like to make the recipe again, just not sure whether to add fewer figs or more olives!!!!

Kayb July 29, 2015

Odd. Maybe it was the kind of olives? I'd certainly add more olives -- quantities in this recipe are something of an estimation, anyway!

Kaite June 9, 2015

I made this yesterday and was quite disappointed as I kept getting a really strong bitter taste towards the end. I suspected it was from the kalamata olives. I let it sit in the fridge for a few hours and the bitterness mellowed out. I can't say I'm in love with this but it is a quick and tasty recipe. Perhaps I'll try it tonight to see how it tastes.

Instead of serving mine with the goat cheese everyone mentions, I bought a young manchego. The young manchego worked really well with the flavors of the tapenade due to its very mellow taste.

Kayb June 10, 2015

H'mm. Curious about the bitter, as well. I've never gotten that; I guess it's conceivable you could get that with olives, but I never have. I often leave it out on the counter for a few hours to mellow and let the flavors blend. And I can see it being excellent with a young manchego; I also love it with any Brie-ish cheese.

Jaxmccaff January 25, 2015

Love this recipe! So easy and such a big hit. I served it with crackers and goat cheese which really does pair beautifully with the 'tapenade'. This will be my go to appetizer for the winter!

Donna G. February 17, 2014

I make a very similar recipe, but without the green olives. i include anchovy and caper - it is absolutely fabulous. the key is to play with proportions so that the anchovy and caper do not dominate.

Kate December 27, 2013

Has anyone tried adding the traditional anchovies and capers to this?

Kayb December 28, 2013

I haven't, but if you do, please let us know how it is!

Aly W. November 26, 2013

I just made this ahead of time and so the flavors can marry. Amazing and tasty!

Nikki P. March 19, 2013

I have just made this and it is truly delicious but can someone tell me if I can freeze it, or if not, how long will it last in the fridge? Thanks!

Kayb March 19, 2013

I'm not sure how well it'd freeze, but it lasts a LONG time in the fridge. Longer than I've ever had occasion to keep it, the longest being a couple of weeks before it was gone.

Nikki P. April 1, 2013

In reply to my own question, I decided to freeze it in small tubs and defrosted overnight for a dinner party on Easter Sunday. It was PERFECT AND TASTED DELICIOUS on tiny crackers with a shaving of goats cheese on top. We served as canapés with a glass of champagne before the main event...it went down very well!!

Kayb April 2, 2013

Excellent! Good to know.

Gracia E. March 4, 2013

We have a fig tree in our backyard, do you think this recipe would work with fresh figs? It looks delicious! I'll have to wait until late summer to try it.

Kayb March 4, 2013

It would seem to me that it should. Might be a bit more moist. I do envy you your fig tree1

rachaelmr December 3, 2012

I was very skeptical: but this was a HIT! at a gathering I recently went to. And I have to say it was all these great reviews that sold me - and I do love it, too. I paired my "appetizer contribution" with my goat cheese dip (which is just that big 365 goat log w/ a sexy olive oil, whipped until it is greenish w/ cracked pepper) - Ooh, La, La!

Kayb March 19, 2013

Glad you enjoyed! I actually paired it with fromage d'affinois the other night, and it was SO rich and marvelous!

gingerroot August 31, 2012

Hi Kayb, I've been meaning to tell you that I hosted an afternoon tea a few weeks ago for 60 people and I used this plus cream cheese and Italian parsley as one of the fillings. The sandwiches disappeared! Thanks for a great recipe.

Emilia R. March 6, 2013

gingerroot, what a wonderful idea!!!! I've been looking for a nice sandwich recipe--for parties--and your idea of this Tapenade + cream cheese + Italian parsley fits the bill!

Kayb March 19, 2013

Yum....that WOULD be good! Jotting that note....Thanks!

Ellen M. April 3, 2012

I may be the only person in the world who dislikes rosemary. Any suggestions for an alternative herb?

pierino April 3, 2012

I love rosemary but I wouldn't use it in an authentic tapenade. Now, thyme works very well.

Kayb March 19, 2013

I think you could use thyme or sage fairly easily. I just like rosemary.

pierino March 11, 2012

The missing ingredients are, most importantly capers as well as anchovies. The name itself, tapenade, comes from the provencale word for caper. I'm sorry but I'm a stickler on this stuff. It's not tapenade if it doesn't include olives, capers and anchovy. After that you can mess with it all you like. Or else call it something else.

jules October 1, 2020

You're an idiot...

BocaCindi December 30, 2011

I have to admit that I was a little hesitant to make this. It didn't seem like the flavors were going to meld. I tasted it right after I made it and still wasn't sure. I put it in the refrigerator for about a half an hour. Put goat's cheese on a cracker and a spoon of this on top. Very delicious. Intriguing flavor. And, best of all, the ingredients are all available either in the refrigerator or pantry. That is wonderful. Had to buy the rosemary. Cannot grow a rosemary plant, have a green thumb with every other plant. Enough about me. Try this, you'll really like it.

pamelalee November 27, 2011

I served this on Thanksgiving with crackers, stilton, and pears. My family loved it! I used calimyrna figs since I noticed the figs in your photo were light brown. Have you ever made this with missions figs? Thanks!

Kayb November 27, 2011

I usually use Mission figs, as that's the most common kind you find dried around here. Most any kind would work, I think. Glad you enjoyed!

Fig and Olive Tapenade Recipe on Food52 (2024)

FAQs

Do figs and olives go together? ›

A good mixture of figs and olives can help prevent many diseases because it contains antioxidants, protecting the body from tissue damage and the risk of chronic diseases.

What do you eat with Trader Joe's olive tapenade? ›

Notes
  1. Mix the tapenade with hummus and place on pita bread topped with some arugula.
  2. Spread on crackers, pita chips, crackers, or bread.
  3. Stuff portobello mushrooms with the tapenade.
  4. Mix it in with some sauce with pasta, polenta, or gnocchi.
  5. Enjoy with some fresh veggies- carrots, celery, etc.
Sep 1, 2019

When should you eat tapenade? ›

My favorite way to serve tapenade is as an appetizer. Set it out with crackers or baguette, or serve it as part of a part of a snack board with components such as these: Creamy dips. You can't go wrong with hummus or white bean dip.

What do 1 fig and 7 olives do? ›

The benefits of eating 7 olives and 1 fig:

Rich in minerals and calcium, it is beneficial for those with bone problems; – It is a source of iron, copper and zinc, so it removes anemia and promotes good absorption of minerals into the blood; – It is an excellent tool for those who want to lose weight.

What cheese goes well with fig and olive? ›

But there's just something about a good chevre or even low-brow cream cheese that balances out the flavors just right and tempers the über-crunchiness to a tolerable level. The box also recommends brie, cheddar, or manchego cheese, as well as sliced olives and figs.

Can olive tapenade go bad? ›

Refrigerate Opened Jars For Continued Freshness

The low temperatures effectively slow down any activity of microorganisms that could otherwise spoil your spread. Any opened jar of store-bought tapenade in the refrigerator should be consumed within two weeks for the best quality.

Is tapenade good for you? ›

A Symphony of Health Benefits

Olive tapenade is a melody of ingredients that sing with health benefits. The star of the show, olives, are renowned for their high content of heart-healthy monounsaturated fats, particularly oleic acid, which can help lower bad cholesterol levels and improve cardiovascular health.

How long does opened tapenade last in the fridge? ›

Keep it stored in a covered container in the fridge and it will stay fresh for up to 2 weeks. It would be a miracle if you managed to keep it that long though! It's way too delicious.

Why are Castelvetrano olives so good? ›

As mentioned before, its unique curing process paves the way for a remarkable flavor profile. Unlike other table olives, which often offer tart and pungent flavors, the Castelvetrano olive is characterized by a natural buttery and creamy flavor, complemented by a mild brininess.

Is it OK to eat olives everyday? ›

Moderation is key

Although olives have a low calorie density and may aid weight loss in several ways, it's best to enjoy them in moderation due to their high salt content, as well as their overall fat content.

Are black or green olives healthier? ›

Black olives are ripe when harvested, while green olives are unripe. In terms of nutrition: Green olives tend to have more sodium, calories, fat, and vitamin E than black olives.

How long does olive tapenade last in the fridge? ›

Any opened jar of store-bought tapenade in the refrigerator should be consumed within two weeks for the best quality. Homemade versions might have a shorter lifespan, usually around seven days, due to the absence of commercial preservatives.

Can I eat olives on empty stomach? ›

By eating a few olives before a meal, you can take the edge off your appetite. This is because the monounsaturated fatty acids contained in healthy olives slow down the digestion process and stimulate the hormone cholecystokinin, which sends messages of fullness and satisfaction to the brain.

Should you eat olives at night? ›

One can eat olives at any time of the day. However, they are rich in healthy fats. Therefore one can eat them before bedtime if one wishes to have a healthy nighttime snack. In addition, they balance blood sugar, help you feel fuller, and aid in a good night's sleep.

What fruit goes well with olives? ›

In fact, olives themselves are categorized as fruit, and what goes better with fruit than more fruit? Consider making a fresh fruit salad with all of your favorites. Cherries, honeydew, pineapple, grapes, blueberries ...

What blends well with fig? ›

Woody accords: Fig pairs well with woody notes such as sandalwood, cedar or patchouli, adding warmth and depth to the fragrance. Floral accords: Delicate floral notes such as jasmine, rose or lily of the valley can complement fig's fruity sweetness, adding a subtle floral dimension.

What flavors go well with figs? ›

Incorporate figs into a symphony of tastes and textures with sticky honey-glazed halloumi, peppery rocket, salty prosciutto and toasted almonds. The sweet flavour of figs pairs well with creamy mozzarella and bitter salad leaves like chicory, so why not get inventive with your own assemblage?

What goes best with figs? ›

Flavors to partner with figs include nuts, vinegars including balsamic and sherry vinegars, honey, cured meats like prosciutto and ham, warm spices including cinnamon and cardamom, herbs like rosemary and thyme, and dairy, especially cheese. Because they are so high in sugar, fresh figs caramelize easily when roasted.

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