Kalamata Olive Dip Recipe
Introduction
This Kalamata Olive Dip is a flavorful and easy appetizer perfect for any gathering. Creamy and tangy, it combines the robust taste of kalamata olives with smooth cream cheese. Serve it with pita chips or crackers for a delicious snack everyone will love.
Ingredients
- 250 grams (8.8 oz) kalamata olives, pitted and drained (reserve some brine, do not rinse)
- 250 grams (8.8 oz) cream cheese, softened
- 1 tablespoon olive brine
- 1 tablespoon dried onion
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- Pita chips or crackers, to serve
Instructions
- Step 1: Add the pitted kalamata olives to the bowl of a food processor and blitz for about 5 seconds to roughly chop. Remove the lid and scrape down the sides with a spatula.
- Step 2: Add the cream cheese, garlic powder, dried onion, and olive brine to the olives. Blitz for another 5 seconds, scrape down the bowl again, then blitz once more until the mixture is well combined.
- Step 3: Transfer the dip to a serving bowl using a spatula. Serve with pita chips or crackers around the bowl for spreading.
Tips & Variations
- Use cream cheese at room temperature for easier blending and a smoother dip.
- Dried onion adds great flavor quickly; if substituting with onion powder, reduce to 1 teaspoon to avoid overpowering the dip.
- Reserve some olive brine to add tanginess and help blend the dip to your desired consistency.
Storage
Store the Kalamata Olive Dip in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Before serving again, stir it well and allow it to come to room temperature for the best flavor and texture. The dip can also be served chilled.
How to Serve
Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.
FAQs
Can I make this dip without a food processor?
While a food processor makes the job easier and smoother, you can finely chop the olives and mix everything thoroughly by hand using a bowl and spatula. It will take more effort but still tastes great.
What can I serve this dip with besides pita chips?
This dip pairs wonderfully with a variety of dippers such as vegetable sticks (carrots, celery), toasted baguette slices, crackers, or even as a spread on sandwiches or wraps.
PrintKalamata Olive Dip Recipe
This creamy and flavorful Kalamata Olive Dip is a quick and easy appetizer perfect for any gathering or snack time. Made with pitted Kalamata olives, cream cheese, olive brine, dried onion, and garlic powder, this dip combines a rich and tangy profile with a hint of onion and garlic. Serve it with pita chips or crackers for a delightful Mediterranean-inspired treat.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Total Time: 5 minutes
- Yield: Approximately 1.5 cups of dip, servings for 6–8 people 1x
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Blending
- Cuisine: Western
Ingredients
Dip
- 250 grams / 8.8 oz Kalamata olives, pitted and drained (reserve some brine, do not rinse)
- 250 grams / 8.8 oz cream cheese, softened to room temperature
- 1 tbsp olive brine (reserved from Kalamata olives)
- 1 tbsp dried onion (or 1 tsp onion powder as a substitute)
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
To Serve
- Pita chips or crackers
Instructions
- Chop olives: Place the pitted Kalamata olives into the bowl of a food processor. Blitz for approximately 5 seconds to roughly chop the olives. Remove the lid and scrape down the sides of the bowl with a spatula to ensure even chopping.
- Combine ingredients: Add the softened cream cheese, garlic powder, dried onion, and reserved olive brine to the food processor bowl with the olives. Blitz again for about 5 seconds, then scrape down the sides of the bowl. Blitz one more time until all ingredients are well combined and form a creamy dip.
- Serve: Transfer the dip into a serving bowl using a spatula. Provide a cheese knife for spreading and arrange pita chips or crackers around the bowl for dipping.
Notes
- Note 1 – Kalamata olives: Use a standard 250 gram (8.8 oz) jar of Kalamata olives, draining off the liquid but reserving a bit of the olive brine to add into the dip. Do not rinse the olives as the briny flavor is important.
- Note 2 – Cream cheese: Use cream cheese at room temperature to make mixing easier and to achieve a smooth dip consistency.
- Note 3 – Dried onion: This ingredient provides full onion flavor without peeling or chopping fresh onions. You can substitute onion powder but reduce the amount to 1 teaspoon for balance.
Keywords: greek olive dip, kalamata olive dip, creamy olive dip, quick appetizer, Mediterranean dip
