31 olive dip recipes

Garlic aioli dipping sauce made with egg yolks, olive oil, Dijon mustard, and fresh lemon juice. The classic Mediterranean condiment for fried squid, grilled fish, and crudités.

Crispy pan-fried vegetarian pot stickers filled with tofu, brown rice, shiitake mushrooms, and olives, served with a fresh tomato-daikon-shiso dipping sauce.

Melomakarona, traditional Greek honey cookies made with olive oil, butter, and orange juice, dipped in warm honey syrup and topped with walnuts and cinnamon.

Melitzanosalata, a Greek roasted eggplant dip with garlic, tomatoes, olive oil, and red wine vinegar. Smoky, tangy, and rustic, served cold with bread or grilled meats.

Moroccan fava bean puree (bessara): dried favas simmered with garlic and cumin, blended with olive oil, served with Arab bread and a cumin-cayenne spice dip.

Layers of seasoned refried beans, cubed SPAM, chili beans, cheddar, and Monterey Jack baked until bubbly, then topped with sour cream and olives. This hot layered dip feeds a crowd with tortilla chips.

Fried batilgian is egg-dipped eggplant fried in olive and vegetable oil until crisp outside and creamy inside. Just five ingredients for a classic Middle Eastern side.

Vegetarian stuffed grape leaves (dolmades) with rice, pine nuts, raisins, tomato, and cinnamon. Slow-simmered in olive oil and lemon, served chilled with yogurt-mint dipping sauce.

Sweet-tangy mustard vinaigrette with dry mustard, vinegar, lemon juice, and a touch of sugar whisked into olive oil. A simple, sharp dipping sauce for whole cooked artichokes.

Quick herbed white bean dip with cannellini beans, garlic, lemon, olive oil, cumin, and oregano. The 10-minute Mediterranean appetizer that's lighter than hummus and just as versatile.

Greek taramasalata-style pate of smoked cod roe whipped with olive oil, lemon, garlic, and a fold of cream into a silky pale-pink dip, served cool with warm pita.

Polvo frito is a classic Portuguese dish of tender precooked octopus dipped in a parsley-flecked egg batter and shallow-fried in olive oil until golden. Simple, briny, and crisp at the edges.

Skordalia, the bold Greek garlic and potato dip whipped smooth with lemon and olive oil. This punchy, no-bread version is naturally vegan and gluten-free, served cold with fried fish or vegetables.

Orange biscotti with fresh orange zest, rum, and olive oil, rolled thin, cut into scalloped strips, and baked twice with a butter-sugar glaze. Crispy Italian cookies for dipping in coffee or dessert wine.

Roasted eggplant and yogurt spread, garlic-studded and perfumed with thyme and oregano, blended creamy with olive oil and a squeeze of lemon. A tangy, herby Mediterranean dip for pita, crackers, or toasted bread.