Creamy Olive Dip with Garlic

Oh my gosh, you guys, let’s talk about The Ultimate Olive Dip. This is my absolute go-to when I need something impressive for a party, but let’s be real—I also make it just for me on a Tuesday night with a big bag of pita chips. It’s that incredibly versatile. The best part? It seriously takes about five minutes to throw together in your food processor. No cooking, no fuss, just this amazing, creamy, briny dip that always, always disappears first. Trust me, once you try it, you’ll be hooked.

Why You’ll Love The Ultimate Olive Dip

Listen, I’m not exaggerating when I say this dip is life-changing. Here’s why:

• Creamy dreamy texture – That perfect blend of cream cheese, sour cream, and mayo creates the most luscious base for those briny olives
• Bold flavor bomb – The combo of green and black olives with garlic? Absolute perfection
• 5-minute miracle – Seriously, just toss everything in the food processor and blitz
• Crowd favorite – I’ve never brought this to a party without someone asking for the recipe

It’s the dip that keeps on giving – simple to make but tastes like you spent hours in the kitchen. Magic!

Ingredients for The Ultimate Olive Dip

Okay, let’s gather our cast of characters! The magic happens with just a handful of simple ingredients (but trust me, they work wonders together):

• 1 cup pitted green olives – I use Castelvetrano when I can find them; their buttery flavor is next-level
• 1 cup pitted black olives – Kalamatas add gorgeous depth, but any good black olives work
• 8 oz cream cheese, softened – Seriously, don’t skip softening it first unless you want to fight your food processor
• 1/2 cup sour cream – Full-fat gives the creamiest results
• 1/4 cup mayonnaise – My secret weapon for richness
• 2 cloves garlic, minced – Fresh only! Jarred garlic just won’t give you that zing
• 1 tsp lemon juice – Just a squeeze brightens everything up
• 1/2 tsp black pepper – Freshly cracked if you’ve got it

That’s it! Simple pantry staples that transform into something extraordinary.

How to Make The Ultimate Olive Dip

Alright, let’s get blending! This couldn’t be easier – I promise even if you’re kitchen-challenged, you can nail this dip. Just follow these simple steps and you’ll be dipping in no time.

Step 1: Combine Ingredients

Here’s my favorite part – no fancy techniques! Just dump everything into your food processor bowl. Yes, all at once – the olives, softened cream cheese (please tell me you remembered to soften it!), sour cream, mayo, garlic, lemon juice, and pepper. No need to layer or add gradually. The food processor doesn’t care about order – it’s going to blend everything together beautifully anyway!

Step 2: Blend to Perfection

Now for the fun part – pulse it a few times to get things started, then let it rip for about 30 seconds. You’re looking for that perfect creamy-but-still-has-character texture. Want it smoother? Blend longer. Prefer a bit of olive texture? Stop when you still see tiny bits. I usually go for somewhere in between – smooth enough to spread easily but with little olive surprises throughout.

Step 3: Chill and Serve

Here’s where patience comes in (the hardest part!). Transfer your gorgeous dip to a serving bowl, cover it, and pop it in the fridge for at least an hour. I know, I know – you want to dive in immediately. But trust me, this waiting time lets all those flavors get to know each other and become best friends. The garlic mellows, the olives’ brininess balances out, and everything comes together in perfect harmony. When it’s time, serve it with your favorite dippers and watch it disappear!

Tips for the Best Ultimate Olive Dip

After making this dip approximately a million times (no exaggeration), I’ve picked up some foolproof tricks:

• Room temp is key – That cream cheese must be soft unless you want to burn out your food processor’s motor (voice of experience here!)
• Garlic to taste – Start with 2 cloves, but feel free to add more if you’re a garlic fiend like me
• Spice it up – A pinch of red pepper flakes adds the perfect subtle heat
• Texture tweaks – For chunkier dip, pulse briefly; for ultra-smooth, blend longer

Oh, and always taste before serving – sometimes it needs an extra squeeze of lemon to make the flavors pop!

Serving Suggestions for The Ultimate Olive Dip

Oh, the possibilities! This dip plays well with just about anything. My go-to dippers? Warm pita wedges, crispy baguette slices, and sturdy crackers that can handle a good scoop. For parties, I love arranging colorful veggie sticks around the bowl – the crunch of carrots and celery makes the perfect contrast to that creamy goodness.

Want to get fancy? Serve it in a hollowed-out bread bowl – the dip soaks into the bread and creates edible servingware! Trust me, it’s always the first empty dish at any gathering.

Storage and Reheating

Here’s the beautiful thing about this dip – it actually gets better after a day in the fridge! Just pop any leftovers in an airtight container (I’m obsessed with my glass snap-lid bowls for this) and it’ll stay fresh for up to 3 days. No reheating needed – in fact, serving it chilled is what makes it perfect for scooping. If it thickens up too much in the fridge, just stir in a teaspoon of water to loosen it back up.

Nutritional Information

Just a quick heads up – these numbers are estimates based on standard ingredients (your favorite olive brand might vary slightly). Per 2-tablespoon serving: about 90 calories, 9g fat, and 2g carbs. Not bad for something this delicious, right? Remember, all nutrition values can change depending on your specific ingredients.

FAQs About The Ultimate Olive Dip

Q1. Can I substitute the sour cream?
Absolutely! Plain Greek yogurt works beautifully if you’re out of sour cream – just use the same amount. The texture might be slightly tangier, but still delicious. For a richer version, try crème fraîche.

Q2. How far ahead can I make this dip?
This dip actually improves with time! You can make it up to 2 days in advance – just keep it tightly covered in the fridge. The flavors meld together beautifully overnight.

Q3. What’s the best vegan alternative?
Easy swap! Use vegan cream cheese and mayo, and replace sour cream with coconut yogurt or cashew cream. The olives and garlic still give tons of flavor – nobody will guess it’s plant-based!

Q4. My dip turned out too thick – help!
No worries! Just stir in a teaspoon of water or olive oil at a time until it reaches your perfect dipping consistency. Easy fix!

Share Your Experience

I’d love to hear how your Ultimate Olive Dip turns out! Did you add any fun twists? Maybe some roasted red peppers or a sprinkle of feta? Drop a comment below or tag me on social media – I live for your kitchen adventures and creative spins on this recipe. Happy dipping!

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