You know what sets a good restaurant apart from a fantastic restaurant? Whether or not they give you bread. And when they give you bread alongside a dipping oil? 1,000,000 bonus points! Seriously though, a thick, hearty, high-quality bread is made infinitely better when paired with a perfectly seasoned olive oil. Plus, olive oil is a heart-healthy oil that’s full of antioxidants and anti-inflammatory properties. It’s good for your tastebuds and your health! And because you deserve a 5-star level dipping oil any day of the week, I’m teaching you how to make it. This particular recipe is simple and quick — it just comes down to using the correct blend of spices! So with that, let’s get started.
Here’s what you’ll need
Olive oil dip is all about the spices — that’s where the flavor happens! To start, you’ll need 1 cup of extra virgin olive oil. The first seasoning we’ll use will be 4 cloves of minced garlic. From there, use 1 teaspoon each of lemon juice and dried basil, ½ teaspoon each of dried thyme, oregano, rosemary, and parsley, and ¼ teaspoon of crushed red pepper flakes. Finish it off with a pinch of salt and pepper, added to taste! If you don’t have fresh garlic cloves, you can substitute each clove with ¼ teaspoon. That will put you at 1 whole teaspoon for this dip!
How to make restaurant-style bread dip
To make this olive oil and herb bread dip, simply stir all of the ingredients in a bowl and then add a pinch of salt and pepper to taste. You can level it up by using a basil oil as the base (super easy to make)! For storage, keep the oil in an airtight container in the refrigerator. If using fresh garlic cloves, be sure to enjoy within 1 week of making, as fresh garlic can go bad quickly.
Bread options to pair with dipping oil
A true olive oil dip should be paired with the perfect type of bread. I recommend hearty options like Italian bread, French bread, ciabatta bread, focaccia bread, or anything else with a tough crust and fluffy center. The fluffiness is key for soaking up maximum oil and flavor!
Dishes to serve alongside olive oil dip
We all know appetizers are one of the best parts of the meal, so here are some additional ideas that you can pair with this dip.
Savory Roasted Cranberry Salsa Avocado Bruschetta Grilled Romaine Salad Trish’s Stuffed Tomatoes
