This Olive Tapenade & Goat Cheese Sandwich is the kind of simple yet sophisticated meal that feels like something you’d order at a charming café. It’s packed with bold flavors from briny olives, creamy goat cheese, and fresh herbs, all layered on crusty bread for the perfect bite.
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If you’re looking for a quick lunch that doesn’t skimp on taste, this one’s a game-changer. It’s savory, tangy, and satisfying—trust me, once you try it, you’ll be hooked!
Why You’ll Love Olive Tapenade & Goat Cheese Sandwich
Big Flavor, Minimal Effort: This sandwich comes together in minutes but tastes like a gourmet creation.
Perfectly Balanced: The creamy, tangy goat cheese mellows out the salty, briny olive tapenade for a perfect bite every time.
Great for Meal Prep: Make a batch of tapenade in advance, and you’ll have a delicious sandwich spread ready to go all week.
Customizable: You can tweak the ingredients to suit your taste—add roasted veggies, swap the bread, or throw in some protein.
Picnic-Ready: Pack it up and take it on the go for an easy and elegant lunch.
Ingredients in Olive Tapenade & Goat Cheese Sandwich
This sandwich is built on simple, high-quality ingredients that bring bold Mediterranean flavors to every bite.
Crusty Bread: A baguette, ciabatta, or sourdough works best for that perfect crispy yet chewy texture.
Olive Tapenade: A rich blend of black and green olives, capers, garlic, lemon juice, and olive oil. It’s the heart of this sandwich, adding deep, briny goodness.
Goat Cheese: Soft and creamy, it spreads beautifully and complements the salty tapenade with its tangy richness.
Fresh Arugula: A peppery bite that adds freshness and a slight crunch.
Sun-Dried Tomatoes: A pop of sweetness and depth that balances the salty olives.
Extra Virgin Olive Oil: A drizzle enhances all the flavors and adds a silky finish.
How to Make Olive Tapenade & Goat Cheese Sandwich
Make the Tapenade: In a food processor, blend black and green olives, capers, garlic, lemon juice, and olive oil until finely chopped but still slightly chunky. Set aside.
Prepare the Bread: Slice your bread and lightly toast it for a crispier bite.
Spread the Goat Cheese: Slather a generous layer of goat cheese on one side of the bread.
Layer the Ingredients: Add a spoonful of olive tapenade, followed by sun-dried tomatoes and fresh arugula.
Assemble & Serve: Place the second slice of bread on top, press gently, and enjoy!
How to Serve Olive Tapenade & Goat Cheese Sandwich
With a Side Salad: A light Mediterranean salad with cucumbers, cherry tomatoes, and a lemon vinaigrette pairs beautifully.
Alongside a Soup: A bowl of roasted tomato or creamy vegetable soup makes this a comforting meal.
Cut into Small Bites: Perfect for serving as an appetizer at gatherings or picnics.
Drizzled with Honey: For a sweet-savory contrast, add a light drizzle of honey before serving.
Additional Tips
Make the Tapenade Ahead: It stores well in the fridge for up to a week, so you can enjoy it anytime.
Try Different Breads: Swap out the crusty bread for a wrap or whole grain bread for a different texture.
Add Some Protein: A slice of grilled chicken or turkey can turn this into a heartier meal.
Storage Tips: Keep assembled sandwiches in an airtight container for up to a day, but for the freshest taste, store the tapenade separately.
FAQ Section
Q1: Can I use store-bought tapenade?
A1: Absolutely! While homemade has the freshest taste, store-bought works great in a pinch.
Q2: Can I use a different cheese?
A2: Yes! Feta, cream cheese, or even brie would be delicious alternatives.
Q3: How do I store leftover tapenade?
A3: Keep it in an airtight container in the fridge for up to a week.
Q4: Can I make this sandwich ahead of time?
A4: It’s best fresh, but you can prep the ingredients separately and assemble just before eating.
Q5: What kind of olives work best for tapenade?
A5: A mix of black and green olives gives the best balance of flavors.
Final Thoughts
This Olive Tapenade & Goat Cheese Sandwich is simple, bold, and incredibly satisfying. Whether you’re making it for lunch, a picnic, or an appetizer spread, it’s bound to be a hit. So go ahead grab some good bread, whip up a batch of tapenade, and enjoy every bite!
Print
Olive Tapenade & Goat Cheese Sandwich
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
- Yield: 8 servings
- Category: Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Roasting
- Cuisine: Mediterranean
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
This Slab Sandwich combines roasted red peppers, briny olive tapenade, and creamy whipped honey goat cheese on fresh focaccia for a gourmet-style meal. Perfect for sharing, this easy sandwich recipe is ideal for picnics, gatherings, or a satisfying lunch!
Ingredients
Instructions
1️⃣ Roast the Peppers:
- Preheat the oven to 425ºF.
- Line a baking sheet with parchment paper (or lightly oil it).
- Place peppers cut-side down and roast for 30-40 minutes, until the skin is blistered and charred.
- Transfer peppers to a bowl, cover with a damp towel or plastic wrap, and let sit for 20 minutes to 4 hours.
- Once cooled, peel off and discard the skins.
2️⃣ Make the Whipped Goat Cheese:
- In a food processor, blend goat cheese, honey, and milk until smooth.
- Add more milk as needed to achieve a creamy, spreadable texture.
3️⃣ Assemble the Sandwich:
- Slice focaccia in half horizontally using a serrated knife.
- Spread olive tapenade on the bottom half of the bread.
- Spread whipped goat cheese on the top half.
- Layer with roasted red peppers, then add mixed greens or arugula.
- Close the sandwich and slice into portions before serving.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 sandwich
- Calories: 310 kcal
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 520mg
- Fat: 14g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 34
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 10g
- Cholesterol: 20mg