This zesty and delicious 4-ingredient Olive Dip is rich and creamy, and packed with bold savory flavor. It’s the ultimate easy make ahead appetizer for parties and entertaining.
Dips are the MVP of the appetizer world, they’re a fan favorite every time and always the first to go, for good reason. This creamy and flavorful Olive Dip proves that point perfectly — it’s smooth, savory, packed with flavor and downright addictive. Made with just 4 zesty ingredients and minimal prep, it’s the ultimate appetizer to serve at parties, holidays, happy hour or simply casual snacking.
Packed with tangy cream cheese, briny olives and savory garlic flavor, this Olive Spread is mouthwatering and downright delicious. It can be made-ahead of time too, so it’s perfect for entertaining. Serve it with crackers, pita chips, crostini or fresh veggies (or even just a spoon!)…just beware, it’ll go fast, because it always does. Happy dipping!
If you like this dip recipe, try some of our other easy appetizers. We love this flavor-packed Bruschetta Baked Brie and these Bloody Mary Deviled Eggs are always a hit.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Quick and Easy Appetizer: This dip can be mixed together in just 15 minutes. Let it chill, then enjoy!
- Made with Simple Pantry Staples: Using only 5 ingredients you probably have at home, whip this up anytime.
- Great for Entertaining: Everyone loves a dip and this one is a fan favorite. Easily feed a crowd with this app and serve at parties, gatherings and and holidays.
- Easy to Customize: Have fun experimenting with different olives and mix-ins. Use whatever you like best or whatever you happen to have on hand.
- Make-Ahead Recipe: This can easily be made in advance so it’s a great meal-prep idea and time-saving recipe.
Ingredients
- Cream Cheese: Rich and creamy, an essential dip base ingredient.
- Sour Cream or Plain Greek Yogurt: Thick and tangy, another key ingredient to a creamy dip.
- Olive Brine: Bold and salty, to really emphasize that olive flavor.
- Garlic Powder: For extra seasoning.
- Green Olives: Briny, tangy and salty — the star of the show here. Use black, purple or a mix of olives if you have them.
- Salt & Pepper: Season to taste, and add salt gradually since the olives and brine are naturally salty.
How To Make Olive Dip
1. In a medium bowl mix together the cream cheese, sour cream, and green olive brine until smooth.
2. Add the garlic powder, chopped olives, salt, pepper, and combine well.
3. Evenly spread the Olive Dip into a serving dish and top with more green olives.
4. Chill in the refrigerator for at least 1 to 2 hours or overnight.
5. Serve with your favorite crackers.
Expert Tips
- Use Room Temperature Cream Cheese: Let this soften before using for the smoothest texture.
- Chill Overnight: It’s key to let the dip chill for 1-2 hours so the flavors meld, but overnight is even better for the best taste.
- Taste Before Adding Salt: The olives and brine are naturally salty, so taste before adding extra salt to avoid an overly salty dip.
- Finely Chop Olives: This will give the dip a smoother consistency and delicious olive flavor in every bite.
Variations
- Make it Spicy: Add a few dashes of hot sauce or pickled jalapeños to give it some heat.
- Make it Mediterranean: Use Kalamata olives instead of green olives to give the dip a mediterranean flavor profile.
- Add Cheese: Mix in crumbled feta, shredded mozzarella or grated parmesan for extra richness.
- Use Herbs: Add fresh dill or parsley for even more flavor.
What To Serve With Olive Dip
This dip can be served with so many delicious dippers. Here are our favorites to serve it with.
- Crackers
- Crostini
- Pita chips
- Fresh Vegetables
- Pretzels
- Bagel chips
Storage
Store leftover dip in the fridge for up to 3-4 days. Give it a stir to refresh before serving again.
This is a great make-ahead recipe. Make the dip up to 24 hours in advance, cover and chill in the fridge, and serve the following day.
Frequently Asked Questions
Definitely. All olives have a great flavor, so use whatever you have on hand. A combination of different olives is also delicious.
This olive dip is intended to be served chilled, but you could certainly bake it in the oven until hot and bubbly and serve it warm with crusty bread.
Yes — plain Greek yogurt will give the dip a tangy, rich flavor.
More Delicious Dip Recipes
Olive Dip
Ingredients
Method
- In a medium bowl mix together the cream cheese, sour cream, and green olive brine until smooth.
- Add the garlic powder, chopped olives, salt, pepper, and combine well.
- Evenly spread the Olive Dip into a serving dish and top with more green olives.
- Chill in the refrigerator for at least 1 to 2 hours or overnight.
- Serve with your favorite crackers.
Notes
- Store leftover dip in the fridge for up to 3-4 days. Give it a stir to refresh before serving again.
- This is a great make-ahead recipe. Make the dip up to 24 hours in advance, cover and chill in the fridge, and serve the following day