Fermented Muffuletta-Style Olive Spread Recipe

Tangy, briny, savoury, and packed with flavour, this Fermented Muffuletta-Style Spread is a delicious way to add bold flavour and gut-friendly fermented foods to everyday meals.

Inspired by classic muffuletta olive salad, this version is made with chopped olives, fermented giardiniera (mix of fermented cauliflower, celery, jalapeños, carrots, cucumbers, peppers) garlic, herbs, olive oil, apple cider vinegar, and a splash of fermented brine. It’s somewhere between an olive salad, relish, and spread — perfect for spooning onto sandwiches, bowls, charcuterie boards, crackers, grilled meats, eggs, and more.

Because this recipe uses fermented giardiniera, it brings extra tang, crunch, colour, gut-friendly benefits and depth to every bite. It’s also a great way to use fermented vegetables in a fresh, flavourful way while making the most of what’s already in your fridge.

Try our fermented giardiniera recipe here.

Fermented Muffuletta-Style Spread Recipe

Tools:

• 10 oz or 16 oz Mason jar
• Tough Top lid

Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup green olives, chopped
• 1/4 cup black olives or kalamata olives, chopped
• 1/2 cup fermented giardiniera, chopped
• 2 tbsp fermented giardiniera brine
• 2-3 tbsp olive oil
• 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar (optional)
• 1 small garlic clove, minced
• 1–2 tsp fresh parsley, chopped
• 1/4 tsp dried oregano
  
• Black pepper, to taste

Optional Substitutions

The giardiniera ferment is very customizable, you can skip any ingredients you don't like or add some other vegetables too. 

Instructions:

1. Chop the green olives, black olives, and fermented giardiniera. For a more spreadable texture, chop everything very small or pulse it a few times in a food processor.
2. Add the chopped olives and fermented giardiniera to your Mason jar.
3. Add in the fermented giardiniera brine, olive oil, apple cider vinegar, minced garlic, parsley, oregano, and black pepper.
4. Close the jar with Tough Top lid and mix well until everything is evenly coated.
5. Let the spread sit for at least 30 minutes before serving so the flavours can blend.
6. Store in the fridge. For best flavour and freshness, enjoy within 1–2 weeks.

How to Use Fermented Muffuletta Olive Spread

• On Sandwiches: spoon it onto crusty bread with deli meats, cheese, roasted vegetables, grilled chicken, or turkey.
• With Crackers: serve it with crackers, cheese, cured meats, and fresh vegetables for an easy snack plate.
• Charcuterie Boards: spoon it into a small bowl and serve with cheeses, cured meats, crackers, bread, fresh vegetables, and other pickled or fermented bites for a bold, briny addition to your board.
• On Bowls: add it to grain bowls, rice bowls, roasted vegetable bowls, or Mediterranean-style plates.
• Stir a spoonful into pasta salad, tuna salad, chicken salad, dips, or sauces for extra tang and depth.

Enjoy!!