I’m so excited to share this Olive Herb Dip recipe! This dish is so simple, but it's packed with beautiful Mediterranean flavours.
When I entertain, I want to be able to enjoy my guests and not be stressed in the kitchen the whole time. I also want to provide something that will please a variety of palates and dietary restrictions. This olive herb dip is always a crowd-pleaser and comes together quickly with just a few ingredients.
It’s also gluten-free, dairy-free, and vegan.
Not only is this dip great for snacking, but it also makes a great appetizer or dressing for salads. It’s quick, easy, and delicious – everything you could want in a recipe!
So, whether you’re looking for a crowd-pleasing appetizer or an easy weeknight super-snack, this olive herb dip is a great option.
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💕 Why You'll Love This Recipe
The flavours will improve with time once they have had a chance to meld, making this the perfect make ahead dressing if you’re hosting.
The incredible taste does not reflect how easy this is to make. In less than 10 minutes you will have a delicious dressing, loaded with flavour thanks to the variety of fresh and dried herbs and spices.
The hero of the dish is of course the olives, making this dish a great way to get your daily dose of healthy fats. When selecting the right olives to use, you want to choose ones that you would most enjoy snacking on as they will provide the predominant flavour. I love the texture and flavour of Haldiki olives, but you can choose whichever is your favourite.
My favourite way to serve this dip is with my Gluten and Dairy Free "Cheesy" Buckwheat Crackers.
🌿 Flavour Variations
If you are already in love with this dip, then why not get creative with some new flavour combinations to try such as:
- Other soft fresh herbs such as coriander, dill, chives or basil
- Not a huge fan of olives? Why not substitute with some finely chopped sun-dried tomatoes instead.
- Roast a head of garlic in the oven and scoop in some of the caramelised garlic cloves
- I have added dried red pepper flakes to add a mild hum of spice. Feel free to omit or if you’re a true spice lover, throw in some extra chilli powder.
🥡 Storage
A number of studies have shown evidence that when fresh garlic or other fresh vegetables are stored in olive oil, this can encourage the growth of harmful bacteria.
Here are some tips on how to keep your culinary creations as safe and hygienic as possible:
- Thoroughly wash and dry any fresh herbs in clean water before use
- Do not leave your dressing out at room temperature for prolonged periods
- Refrigerate as soon as possible and consume within 2-3 days
- Preferably freeze individual portion sizes for when you need them
- Garlic, mushrooms, pepper and aubergine/eggplant are the highest risk
If you want to read more about this topic, read my blog post Why You Should NEVER Store Fresh Garlic in Olive Oil.
Anyway, that’s the boring but important bit out the way, now back to the food!
💫 Substitutions
For the addition of any woody herbs – think rosemary, thyme, sage, oregano - I recommend using dried over fresh as the flavour of fresh woody herbs can be quite overpowering. This could still work in much smaller amounts, however, be sure to chop or grind ultra-fine so that you don’t feel like you are chewing on a hedge.
🍽 Serving Suggestions
This olive herb dip is so packed with flavour, I’m sure you will want to eat the lot in one sitting. If you don't finish it all in one go, however, it’s great at jazzing up other meals. Here are a few suggestions:
- Make it the centre piece of a grazing board filled with gluten free crackers, bread and a rainbow of raw veggies
- Drizzle over grilled meat or fish
- Add into a sandwich with roasted aubergine and bell peppers
- Mix into a warm roasted vegetable salad
So now you know how to make the easiest olive herb dip ever! This recipe is perfect for beginners.
If you try this recipe, leave a review. If you enjoyed this recipe, share it with your friends or family over on Instagram and tag @anticandidakitchen with the hashtag #anticandidakitchen. Happy cooking!
Easiest Olive Herb Dip (Mediterranean Style)
Ingredients
- 40 g pitted green haldiki olives approx 10 olives
- 2 teaspoon chopped fresh parsley one handful
- 1 teaspoon chopped fresh mint one small handful
- ¼ teaspoon dried thyme
- ⅛ teaspoon garlic powder
- ⅛ teaspoon mustard powder
- Black pepper
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 4 tablespoon cold pressed extra virgin olive oil
- Sprinkle of crushed red pepper flakes optional to add spice
Instructions
- Finely chop the fresh herbs and olives and add to a bowl.
- Add the dried herbs and spices, lemon juice and extra virgin olive oil and stir together well. No additional salt is needed thanks to the saltiness of the olives.
- If you like a bit of spice, add a sprinkle of crushed red pepper flakes.
- This is ready to eat right away, however, it does seem to improve with time once the flavours have had a chance to meld.
- Serve with fresh gluten free crackers or bread.
Notes
Last step! If you make this recipe, will you do me a huge favour and leave a ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ review letting me know what you thought? It really helps! Thanks for your support!!
Disclaimer: Nutritional info is approximate and for general guidance only. Unit conversions are automatically generated and may not be accurate.
Did you make this recipe? Let me know!