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Home » Recipes » Sauces, Seasonings, Rubs

Garlic Olive Oil Bread Dip With Herbs

Published: Dec 19, 2024 by Marisa Franca

Jump to Recipe
A single Pinterest image with a title overlay that says how to make olive oil bread dip.
A Pinterest share image with a title overlay for the Garlic Olive Oil Herb Bread Dip recipe

Garlic Olive Oil Bread Dip is an easy herbaceous dip with tangy balsamic vinegar, freshly minced garlic, parmesan, and a kick of spicy heat that's perfect to dip into with homemade focaccia or ciabatta bread!

A shallow bowl combines garlic-flavored olive oil and herbs to make a bread dipping sauce.
Get ready for a culinary delight! This garlic olive oil bread dip is packed with fragrant herbs and a drizzle of balsamic vinegar. You'll feel like a top chef in no time!
Jump to:
  • 🗝️ Recipe's key points
  • 🛒 Ingredients
  • 🗒 Instructions
  • 🥫 Storage
  • 📚 Variations
  • 👩🏻‍🍳 Tips
  • 🤔 FAQs
  • 📗 Related Recipes
  • 🍽 What to serve with garlic olive oil dip
  • 🔪 All Our Way recommends the following
  • 📞 Chiacchierata (chat)
  • 📖 Recipe
  • 💬 Comments

🗝️ Recipe's key points

  • This herb-infused olive oil dip is a great appetizer for any holiday or party!
  • It's great for making ahead of time since it needs to sit for maximum flavor infusion.
  • Easily vary the flavor and level of spice in this dip by making simple ingredient adjustments.

If you want a quick appetizer for the holidays or parties, try this Garlic Olive Oil Bread Dip with Herbs. It takes less than 5 minutes to make!

🛒 Ingredients

This is an overview of the ingredients. You'll find the full measurements and instructions in the recipe card (printable) at the bottom of the page.

Image of the ingredients needed to make the olive oil dip for bread.

As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

  • Extra-virgin olive oil - Use a good quality olive oil for this dip. Avoid oils that are too spicy or grassy. The recipe already has plenty of spices and herbs.
  • Garlic - Freshly minced garlic from a garlic clove will always provide the best flavor, but you can use pre-minced garlic instead.
  • Red pepper flakes - For a lovely kick of heat. Adjust the quantity to suit your preferred level of spice.
  • Dried Oregano - This dried herb offers a bold flavor that is slightly sweet, earthy, and a little bitter.
  • Dried Thyme - This adds a delicate herbal balance of sweet, minty, peppery, and earthy notes.
  • Dried Rosemary - Another strong herb with bold notes of wood, mint, lemon, and sage.
  • Sea Salt - Kosher salt is another excellent option. The salt enhances the flavors in this garlic olive oil dip. You can adjust this to suit your taste preferences.
  • Black Pepper - This underrated seasoning has a complex flavor profile, including notes of pine, citrus, and spice. Adjust as you would with the salt once all of the ingredients have been combined.
  • Parmesan cheese - I recommend freshly grated parmesan from a block of cheese for best flavor. You can leave this out if you want the dip to be vegetarian or vegan.
  • Balsamic vinegar - Only added to the dip just before serving as a way to preserve its rich and complex flavor.
  • Garnish - I love to sprinkle fresh Italian parsley, fresh rosemary, and fresh thyme over the top of the dip just before I serve it. It looks pretty and it tastes great too!
  • Bread for dipping - This dip is best enjoyed with pieces of bread to dip into. Indulge with this Garlic Cheese Bread or a classic Ciabatta Bread.

🗒 Instructions

This is an overview of the instructions. Full instructions are in the recipe card at the bottom of the page.

Collage of the first four steps for the Italian bread dipping oil.
  1. Place the minced garlic, olive oil, dried herbs, salt, black pepper, and ½ to ¾ teaspoons of red pepper flakes (depending on your preference) in a medium-sized shallow bowl or plate.
  2. Combine with a whisk or spoon. Let the mixture sit for 30 minutes to 2 hours for the flavors to meld. Taste and season with extra salt and pepper, as needed.
  3. Drizzle the balsamic vinegar on top of the dip just before serving.
  4. Grate the parmesan directly on top of the dip.
Collage of the final two steps in the Italian garlic olive oil dip for bread recipe.
  1. Sprinkle a little fresh chopped basil or Italian parsley on top.
  2. Serve your garlic olive oil dip with bread for dipping.

🥫 Storage

Store this garlic olive oil dip in an airtight container for up to 4 days.

For extended storage, place the dip in a freezer-safe container in the freezer for up to 2 months. Allow the dip to thaw on your countertop and reach room temperature. Give it a good stir before you serve it.

📚 Variations

  • Spice Level: Easily adjust the level of heat in this olive oil dip by reducing or increasing the red pepper flakes.
  • Dairy-free: Omit the grated parmesan from this recipe if you want this dip vegetarian or vegan-friendly.
  • Herbs: I love the combination oregano, thyme, rosemary, and parsley. Feel free to experiment with other herbs too, such as basil.
Garlic-infused olive oil with herbs made into an appetizer bread dip.
If you want to bring the flavors of Italy to your table, this garlic olive oil dip is it. It's like a vacation for our taste buds!

👩🏻‍🍳 Tips

  • It's important to use a good-quality olive oil for this dip since it isn't cooked. It really makes a huge difference to the overall flavor.
  • Make sure to give yourself enough time to prepare this dip. It needs to rest in the fridge for at least 30 minutes. This helps all the flavors blend together beautifully. Even better if you can allow it to sit for 2 hours.
  • While dried herbs tend to have a long shelf-life, always check those that have been in your pantry for a while so that the flavors are not muted.
  • Make sure to serve this garlic olive oil dip with gluten-free bread if you are catering to gluten allergies.

🤔 FAQs

What type of bread is best for serving with garlic olive oil bread dip?

Crusty Italian bread such as ciabatta or focaccia is ideal. These types of bread hold up well when dipped, providing a satisfying crunch along with a soft interior.

Can I use pre-packaged minced garlic instead of fresh garlic?

While pre-packaged minced garlic is convenient, fresh garlic is recommended for the best flavor and aroma. Freshly crushed garlic enhances the overall taste of the dip.

How long can I store the garlic olive oil dip?

You can store the leftover dip in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to a week. To help the flavors meld, let it come to room temperature before serving.

Can I customize the herbs used in the dip?

Absolutely! Basil, rosemary, and thyme are classic choices, but don’t be afraid to try other herbs. Oregano and parsley can add great flavor, too! Use what you love to make the dish your own.

Is this dip suitable for vegan diets?

Absolutely! Garlic olive oil bread dip is plant-based and vegan-friendly. It’s a perfect appetizer for everyone, no matter their diet.

📗 Related Recipes

  • Spicy Cheese Dipping Sauce - This creamy cheese dip gets a kick of heat from jalapeños and smoked paprika. Perfect alongside pretzels, breadsticks, tortilla chips, or even veggies.
  • Hot Spinach Artichoke Dip - Enjoy a dip that's loaded with healthy spinach artichoke hearts, and grated cheese. It's always a hit at parties!
  • Smokin' Hot Italian Avocado Salsa - This spicy salsa is a real treat! It combines Italian dressing and smoky Chipotle sauce for an explosion of flavors. Perfect for dipping or as a topping, this salsa will add a kick to any dish. Enjoy the vibrant taste of Italy with a twist! Easily adjust the heat to suit your preferences.
A square of focaccia bread is dipped into garlic olive oil bread dipping sauce.
We don't settle for basic. We love to elevate our bread game with a dip of red pepper, garlic olive oil, herbs, and a splash of balsamic vinegar.

🍽 What to serve with garlic olive oil dip

This garlic olive oil dip is best enjoyed with crusty Italian bread such as ciabatta or focaccia, soft bread sticks, or sliced baquette. The bread will hold up well when dipped to provide that irresistible crunch with a soft interior.

This dip is also delicious to drizzle over roasted veggies, pasta, or as sauce in wraps.

🔪 All Our Way recommends the following

The following are affiliate links. We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.

You’ll need the following items to make this recipe successfully.

  • Mixing bowl
  • Whisk
  • Measuring spoons
  • Sharp knife
  • Cutting board
  • Cheese grater

📞 Chiacchierata (chat)

You're going to love this recipe! I still remember the first time I experienced a garlic olive oil bread dip that completely stole the cena (dinner) show. It was in a lovely upscale Italian restaurant. You know, one of those places where the air smells like fresh basil and warm bread. Before we ordered our dinner they brought out a bsket of their homemade focaccia alongside a small dish of what looked like pure gold. It was garlic-infused olive oil with herbs. One boccone (bite), and I was hooked.

Of course, I couldn't resist recreating it at home! It's one of those recipes that feels fancy but couldn't be easier to make. Whether you're hosting a dinner party or just treating yourself to a quiet night in, this garlic olive oil bread dip turns any loaf of bread into something spectacular. So grab your favorite rustic loaf, a good bottle of olive oil, and let the dipping begin. Buon appetito!

Tutti a tavolo, è pronto!

Bread dipping oil with garlic and herbs in a white bowl surrounded my focaccia squares.
Ditch the boring bread-and-butter routine and dive into a restaurant-worth experience with an olive oil dip for bread.

If you love this recipe please give it 5 stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.

What's new? Check out my All Our Way Store on Amazon. We'll be adding more items we love and use or wish we had to make cooking fun and easy.

📖 Recipe

A dipping bowl filled with a garlic herb olive oil bread dip with a spoon in the dip.

Garlic Olive Oil Dip: Better Than Your Favorite Italian Restaurant

A simple blend of garlic, olive oil, herbs, and a splash of balsamic vinegar creates this heavenly bread dip. Serve it with crusty Italian bread, grissini, or focaccia for a restaurant-quality experience at home!
5 from 1 vote
Print Pin Rate
Course: Appetizers, Snack
Cuisine: American-Italian
Prep Time: 5 minutes minutes
Resting time: 30 minutes minutes
Total Time: 35 minutes minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Calories: 517kcal
Author: Marisa Franca @ All Our Way
As An Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

Ingredients

  • 3 cloves garlic very finely minced
  • ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes
  • 1 cup extra-virgin olive oil
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1 teaspoon dried thyme
  • ¼ teaspoon dried rosemary
  • ½ teaspoon sea salt may use Kosher
  • ⅛ teaspoon black pepper
  • ¼ cup freshly grated parmesan cheese
  • 2 Tablespoons balsamic vinegar
  • For garnish:
  • Fresh chopped basil or Italian parsley
  • For serving:
  • Bread for dipping we love focaccia!
Get Recipe Ingredients

Instructions

  • Place the minced garlic, 1 cup extra-virgin olive oil, oregano, thyme, rosemary, salt, black pepper, and ½ to ¾ teaspoon red pepper flakes, depending on heat preference, in a medium-sized shallow bowl or plate.
  • Stir everything with a whisk or spoon.
  • Let sit at least 30 minutes or up to 2 hours for the flavors to meld. Taste and season with more kosher salt and pepper as needed.
  • Before serving, drizzle the balsamic vinegar on top.
  • Grate parmesan directly on top of the herbed olive oil.
  • Sprinkle a little fresh chopped basil or Italian parsley on top.
  • Serve with pieces of bread for dipping, and enjoy! Serves 4.

Notes

Olive oil: Since this dip isn't cooked, use a good-quality olive oil but not one that is too spicy or grassy.
Storage: Refrigerate in an airtight container for up to 4 days or freeze for up to 2 months. Let it come to room temperature and stir before using.

Nutrition

Calories: 517kcal | Carbohydrates: 4g | Protein: 2g | Fat: 56g | Saturated Fat: 8g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 6g | Monounsaturated Fat: 40g | Cholesterol: 5mg | Sodium: 408mg | Potassium: 44mg | Fiber: 0.5g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 147IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 76mg | Iron: 1mg

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