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If you’ve ever wondered what to do with a jar of briny, buttery green olives, you’re in for a treat. This green olive paste recipe is a game-changer for plant-based kitchens. In this article, you’ll learn how to make a bold, tangy spread from scratch, explore its many uses, and find creative ways to incorporate it into everyday meals. Whether you’re dressing up toast or jazzing up pasta, this green olive paste brings a Mediterranean twist to your table. Packed with flavor and totally dairy-free, it’s a staple worth mastering.
Green Olive Paste Recipe Origin & My Story
My Sicilian-Inspired Discovery
I first tasted green olive paste during a backpacking trip through Sicily in my late twenties. I had just transitioned to a plant-based lifestyle and was hunting for something savory to fill the void cheese left behind. One night in Palermo, a local family served me crusty bread with a vibrant green paste that instantly reminded me of the robust simplicity of green olives. Briny, garlicky, and fresh—it was unforgettable.
Once home in Portland, I started experimenting. Eventually, I crafted my own green olive paste recipe that hits all the right notes. It’s a staple in my kitchen now—perfect for sandwiches, pasta, and even roasted veggies. I’ve even swirled it into this green olive soup recipe for a bold, briny twist.
What Makes This Paste Special
What sets this paste apart from classic tapenade is its silky texture and clean, plant-forward flavor. While traditional tapenade includes anchovies and capers, my version keeps it vegan and focused solely on green olives, lemon, and a few pantry staples. It’s smoother than hummus, more flavorful than pesto, and incredibly versatile.
Nutritionally, green olives are full of antioxidants and healthy fats, making this recipe not only flavorful but nourishing. You can use it as a dip, spread it over toast, or stir it into warm grains or pasta.
Want to make a full meal? Layer it on flatbread before baking, like in this green olive pizza recipe for a flavor-packed appetizer or light dinner.
How to Make This Green Olive Paste Recipe
Ingredients You’ll Need
You only need a few simple ingredients to make this green olive paste recipe shine. The flavor depends entirely on the quality of your olives, so choose them wisely. Look for firm, pitted green olives in brine—not the canned kind swimming in preservatives.
Here’s what you’ll need:
- 1 cup pitted green olives (like Castelvetrano)
- 1 garlic clove
- 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon lemon zest
- ¼ teaspoon crushed red pepper (optional)
- Fresh parsley or basil for garnish (optional)
You can also experiment by adding a handful of walnuts or blanched almonds if you want a creamier texture. But trust me, even in its pure form, this recipe delivers.
Need to prep your olives first? These cracked green olives are perfect for this, and prepping them at home brings out incredible depth of flavor.
Quick Steps to Blend It Perfectly
Place all ingredients in a food processor or high-speed blender. Pulse until you get a smooth, spreadable consistency. You can leave it slightly chunky if you like more texture—just don’t overblend. Taste and adjust lemon juice or oil as needed.
This green olive paste keeps well in the fridge for up to a week in a sealed jar. Just top it with a little olive oil to keep it fresh. You can also freeze it in silicone cubes and defrost as needed.
One of my favorite ways to serve it? Spread it over toasted sourdough with fresh tomatoes. It’s an easy upgrade from your usual dip. For a hearty meal, add it to this Spanish rice with green olives for a bold flavor kick.
Creative Ways to Use Green Olive Paste
From Toasts to Bowls: Versatile and Delicious
The best part of this green olive paste recipe? Its endless flexibility. It’s more than a dip—this paste brings bold Mediterranean energy to every dish it touches. Whether you’re building a brunch board or planning a light dinner, there’s a delicious way to use it.
Spread it on toasted sourdough, fold it into warm couscous, or even swirl it into vegan cream cheese for a quick sandwich spread. If you’re making mezze, serve it alongside hummus, baba ganoush, and a bowl of green olive tapenade for a flavor-packed platter that’s totally plant-based.
Serving Ideas That Go Beyond the Basics
Here’s a quick table of tasty ideas to inspire your next olive-powered meal:
| How to Use | Pair With |
|---|---|
| Spread on sourdough toast | Fresh tomatoes, radish, or vegan feta |
| Stir into warm pasta | Zucchini ribbons and basil |
| Add to grain bowls | Roasted chickpeas, tahini sauce |
| Top a warm flatbread | Roasted red pepper, arugula |
| Serve with a mezze board | Hummus, [rabbit with green olives](https://plantpoweredrecipe.com/olives-mediterranean/rabbit-with-green-olives-recipe/), dolmas |
Want something a little fancy? Dollop it onto baked potatoes or tuck it inside a wrap with greens and roasted cauliflower. This is a recipe that just keeps giving.
And if you’re prepping ahead, remember: it freezes beautifully. Just portion into silicone ice trays and pop a cube into your next green olive dinner creation.
How to Store and Meal Prep Green Olive Paste
Keep It Fresh for Days
You’ve whipped up a batch of this luscious green olive paste recipe—now what? Storing it correctly is key to keeping that bold flavor intact. Transfer it to a clean glass jar, then top it with a thin layer of olive oil to prevent air exposure. Store it in the fridge and use within 5 to 7 days.
For longer storage, freeze it in silicone trays or small containers. Once they’re fully frozen, transfer the cubes to a freezer-safe bag for easy storage. They’ll keep for up to 3 months and defrost quickly when needed.
Busy weekday ahead? Toss a cube into warm pasta or stir it into grain bowls for a no-fuss flavor boost. It’s also a brilliant spread for sandwiches or a savory layer in veggie wraps. Want to take it further? Swirl it into this Spanish rice with green olives or layer it on top of this cracked green olive dish for a flavor-packed twist.
Batch Cooking & Pantry Planning
This green olive paste is a meal prep champion. I often batch it on Sundays, freezing portions for the week ahead. It adds punch to everything from soups to salads, and makes even simple steamed veggies exciting.
If you’re building a Mediterranean-inspired pantry, this is a great item to keep on hand. For a broader view, this Mediterranean diet staples list by Oldways is a wonderful resource. It aligns beautifully with plant-based eating and offers smart pantry swaps and foundational guidance to support your cooking goals.
Want more Mediterranean recipes with green olives? Start with our green olives collection—it’s full of flavor-forward dishes designed to nourish and impress.
FAQ: Green Olive Paste Recipe
What do you do with green olive paste?
Green olive paste is incredibly versatile. You can spread it on toast, stir it into warm pasta, add it to grain bowls, or use it as a base for wraps and sandwiches. It also works beautifully as part of a Mediterranean mezze board alongside hummus and green olive tapenade.
How do you make olive paste?
Making olive paste is simple. Simply blend pitted green olives with extra virgin olive oil, a squeeze of fresh lemon juice, a bit of lemon zest, and a clove of garlic. Optional add-ins include crushed red pepper or herbs. Pulse until smooth, adjust seasoning, and it’s ready to use.
What to make with lots of green olives?
Green olives are perfect for batch recipes like this paste. But you can also use them in Spanish rice with green olives, soups, pizzas, and salads. Try marinating them, roasting them with garlic, or tossing them into grain bowls.
Is olive paste the same as olive tapenade?
Not exactly. While both are made from olives, traditional tapenade includes anchovies and capers, giving it a saltier, more intense flavor. This green olive paste recipe is smoother, vegan-friendly, and allows the olive’s natural brightness to shine.
Conclusion: A Green Olive Paste Recipe That Deserves a Spot in Your Fridge
If you’ve made it this far, you’re already halfway to a jar of something bold, simple, and seriously delicious. This green olive paste recipe isn’t just another dip—it’s a flavor tool. It transforms toast, wakes up pasta, and adds Mediterranean depth to anything it touches.
The best part? You can make it in five minutes with pantry ingredients, no cooking required. Whether you’re planning a party board, prepping lunches, or just craving something different, this recipe is a keeper.
Keep a batch in your fridge or freeze it in cubes for instant flavor all week long. And if you’re still wondering what to do with green olives—well, now you know.
Hungry for more ideas? Dive into our green olives collection and turn these briny beauties into your new pantry favorite.
Print
Green Olive Paste Recipe
- Total Time: 5 minutes
- Yield: 1 cup 1x
- Diet: Vegan
Description
A creamy, vibrant green olive paste that’s perfect as a dip, spread, or sauce base. Packed with Mediterranean flavor and ready in under 10 minutes.
Ingredients
1 cup pitted green olives (Castelvetrano or similar)
1 garlic clove
2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
1 tbsp fresh lemon juice
1 tsp lemon zest
1/4 tsp crushed red pepper (optional)
Fresh parsley or basil (for garnish)
Instructions
1. Place all ingredients in a food processor.
2. Pulse until smooth, scraping down the sides.
3. Taste and adjust lemon or oil if needed.
4. Scoop into a jar and top with olive oil to preserve.
5. Store in the fridge or freeze in small portions.
Notes
Use cracked green olives for extra flavor.
This recipe can be doubled for meal prep.
Pairs well with roasted veggies, pasta, or grain bowls.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Category: Dips, Spreads
- Method: Blended
- Cuisine: Mediterranean
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 2 tbsp
- Calories: 70
- Sugar: 0g
- Sodium: 340mg
- Fat: 7g
- Saturated Fat: 1g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 1g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 0g
- Cholesterol: 0mg
Keywords: green olive paste recipe, vegan olive dip, olive spread