Briny, bold, and deeply savory, olives instantly bring a dish to life — and a bite of the Mediterranean to your plate. Whether you’re tossing them in a salad, blending them into a dip, or stirring them into cocktails (yes, really), there’s no shortage of ways to celebrate this pantry staple, so we’re sharing 15 black olive recipes to add to your cooking bucket list.
Here at Salt & Wind Travel, we’re all about recipes that evoke travel, and black olives do just that. These recipes are inspired by Italy, France, Spain, the Middle East, and our travels right here in our home state of California.
As a professional recipe developer, I have crafted most of these recipes. And, over the years, I’ve served them for cocktail parties, backyard potlucks, or brunches. Each recipe calls for the type of olives we think work best, but we promise they’ll still shine with your favorite olives, be it canned California ripe olives, jarred green olives, or black olives like Kalamata, Mission, or Niçoise.
The Best Black Olive Recipes For Olive Lovers
Ready to get inspired? These are our favorite black olive recipes for cooking and dreaming of sun-drenched coastlines.
Best Herby Garlicky Olive Dip Recipe
Gluten-Free, Nut-Free, Vegetarian
If it’s a black olive dip recipe you’re after, look no more. This no-fuss, flavor-packed olive dip is our go-to for impromptu entertaining or snacking. Made with basic ingredients like olive oil, fresh herbs, Parmesan cheese, and briny olives, it’s tangy and totally addictive.
While most olive dip recipes use cream cheese and are creamy dips, this is lighter and can be made with any type of olive. It tastes like garlic bread turned into a dip, so you’ll want to add it to your list of easy dips. Sub in black olives for a deeper flavor that pairs beautifully with crisp crackers, pita chips, crostini, or fresh veggies.
Smashed Green Olive Bruschetta With Burrata
Vegetarian
To be honest, the smashed olive relish for this recipe is so popular that we sometimes serve it on its own as part of an appetizer spread. Even people who claim they aren’t olive people love the fresh combination of roasted pistachios, orange and lemon zest, mint, and olives.
While the original calls for green olives, castelvetrano olives, or even canned California ripe olives, black olives like Kalamata or oil-cured varieties work wonderfully here. The olive relish gets layered over toasted bread and topped with burrata (but you could also use mozzarella cheese) for a next-level salty-creamy combo. Perfect as a starter for a Mediterranean-inspired dinner party.
California Greek Olive Salad
Vegetarian, Gluten-Free, Nut-Free
Think Greek salad, but make it California style. We warm up olives in a pan with olive oil, orange peel or lemon peel, black pepper, and fresh oregano. The result is a warm olive situation that could totally stand on its own as a quick appetizer. But we use it (along with marinating the tomatoes) to amp up the flavor of the classic Greek salad. With chunks of red onions, cucumbers, and feta, the result is crunchy, fresh, and just the kind of thing you want to eat on a sunny patio.
Classic Caprese Salad
Gluten-Free, Nut-Free, Vegetarian
Ever since we had a deconstructed Caprese with fresh basil and olives when we were on the Amalfi Coast, this easy recipe is the only way we make our Caprese salad. We know, Caprese isn’t always made with olives, but we like to bend the rules. Add a handful of whole, pitted, or chopped black olives to the mix and take this classic salad to savory new heights. It’s summer on a plate, with a salty twist.
Classic Tapenade
Dairy-Free, Gluten-Free, Nut-Free
If there’s one black olive recipe to master, you’ll find this black olive paste known as tapenade all over Southern France. Our traditional tapenade blends olives, capers, garlic, anchovies, fresh lemon juice, a splash of Cognac or Armagnac, and olive oil into a bold black olive spread that’s fabulous on toast, sandwiches, or even tossed with pasta. Bonus: This black olive tapenade recipe comes together in the food processor in minutes and keeps well when stored in an airtight container in the fridge
Dirty Bloody Mary
Gluten-Free, Nut-Free, Vegan, Vegetarian
This is not your average brunch cocktail. The “dirty” twist comes from smashing up some olives and adding a splash of black olive juice, which gives a savory umami note that plays off the tomato juice, horseradish, and vodka. Have your party guests learn to make their own to appreciate how much more flavorful (and less watery!) a “rock and roll” style Bloody Mary is than one that’s shaken. Garnish with black olives (with or without olive pits) for a full-on Mediterranean vibe.
Fennel And Orange Salad With Olive Relish
Dairy-Free, Gluten-Free, Nut-Free, Vegan, Vegetarian
We love classic Italian recipes for their simplicity, and this Fennel and Orange Salad is no different. You see versions of this across Sicily, and ours has an olive relish that takes seconds to make but adds loads of flavor. This salad is all about contrasts — sweet citrus, crisp fennel, and a salty olive relish. Though it’s made with green olives, black olives add depth and richness, which is just as delicious. It’s refreshing, elegant, and always a hit at winter gatherings.
Gougères Tea Sandwiches With Spiced Carrots, Tapenade, And Ricotta
Vegetarian
If you like getting fancy, make this lovely appetizer for your next brunch or tea party. Here, savory choux pastry puffs filled with creamy ricotta, sweet carrots, and a generous swipe of tapenade are a major upgrade to your average tea sandwich. Sub in a black olive tapenade for extra umami. They’re fancy enough for a party but simple enough for a brunch.
Gluten-Free Olive Pasta Salad
Gluten-Free, Nut-Free, Vegetarian
Too many pasta salads are loaded with bottled dressing and feel like a carb fest. This pasta salad is light and packed with summery flavors like charred corn, crisp bacon, smashed olives, and fresh dill (though you could use fresh parsley, blue cheese, and a homemade zesty Italian dressing, making it the ultimate picnic dish. It’s easy to prep ahead and endlessly customizable. Use black olives for a more robust, earthy profile that balances beautifully with fresh tomatoes and feta. Serve it chilled or at room temperature as a light dinner or as part of a potluck spread.
Pan Bagnat Sandwich
Dairy-Free, Nut-Free, Pescatarian
A Niçoise-style sandwich straight from the French Riviera — need we say more? Black olives are essential to this Provençal classic, adding briny depth to every bite. It’s the perfect travel lunch: packable, hearty, and flavorful.
Niçoise-Style Salad With Smashed Potatoes
Gluten-Free, Nut-Free, Pescatarian
A modern take on the traditional salade Niçoise, this version uses crisp capers, soft-boiled eggs (though you could use hard-boiled eggs) smashed potatoes, and herbs for a modern take. Black niçoise olives are a must for authenticity and flavor. It’s a full meal in a bowl — hearty, healthy, and full of texture.
Phyllo Galette With Labneh, Caramelized Cherry Tomatoes, And Olives
Vegetarian
Mediterranean dreams are made of flaky phyllo crust, tangy labneh, sweet roasted tomatoes, and briny olives. The original uses Kalamata olives, but any black olive will do. Serve it as a starter, a light lunch, or part of a brunch spread.
Zucchini And Ricotta Salata Bruschetta
Vegetarian
This summery bruschetta is the perfect appetizer. Crisp toasts are topped with ripe avocado, chopped zucchini, and olives and served with salty Ricotta Salata cheese. Green or black olives shine here, so feel free to swap in your favorite. It’s quick, elegant, and perfect with a glass of crisp white wine like an Albariño or a Grüner Veltliner.
Savory Provençal Palmiers
Nut-Free
These flaky, cheesy pastries — studded with olives, sundried tomatoes, and prosciutto — are the savory cousin to the classic French cookie. Use black olives for a bolder flavor that contrasts beautifully with buttery puff pastry. They’re ideal for happy hour, an aperitif snack, and a great addition to cheese and charcuterie boards.
Vermouth And Soda Cocktail
Dairy-Free, Gluten-Free, Nut-Free, Vegetarian
Light, refreshing, and effortlessly chic, this cocktail gets a briny boost from an olive garnish. Choose black olives to complement the slightly sweet vermouth. It’s the drink we reach for when aperitivo hour calls.
Frequently Asked Questions About Black Olive Recipes
Black Olive Tapenade: A quick and easy spread made with black olives, capers, anchovies, and olive oil, perfect for spreading on crostini or crackers.
Mediterranean Olive Bruschetta: Top sliced baguette with a mixture of chopped black olives, tomatoes, basil, and feta cheese for a quick appetizer.
Stuffed Black Olives: Fill large black olives with soft cheeses like goat cheese or cream cheese and herbs for a simple yet elegant appetizer.
Olive and Herb Quinoa: Mix cooked quinoa with chopped black olives, fresh herbs, lemon zest, and a squeeze of lemon juice for a refreshing side.
Roasted Vegetables with Black Olives: Toss seasonal vegetables with black olives and roast in the oven until caramelized.
Greek Olive Salad: Combine black olives with cucumber, tomatoes, red onion, feta cheese, and a Greek dressing for a quick and healthy side salad.
Mediterranean Omelette with Black Olives: Add black olives to omelettes along with tomatoes, spinach, and feta cheese.
Black Olive and Tomato Frittata: A simple egg dish enhanced with black olives, cherry tomatoes, and herbs, perfect for a brunch gathering.
Olive and Cheese Muffins: Bake savory muffins with chopped black olives and sharp cheddar or parmesan for a tasty breakfast option.
10 More Black Olive Recipe Ideas
These recipes don’t have olives in the ingredients list but they’d be a delicious addition!
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