Restaurant-Worthy Bread Dipping Oil at Home Recipe
This restaurant-worthy bread dipping oil is a flavorful blend of extra virgin olive oil infused with Kalamata olives, sun-dried tomatoes, fresh herbs, garlic, and balsamic vinegar. Perfect for enhancing crusty artisan bread, this warm and aromatic oil dip brings a gourmet touch to your appetizer or snack time.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 5 minutes
- Total Time: 15 minutes
- Yield: About 1 cup of dipping oil, enough to serve 4-6 people with bread 1x
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Mediterranean
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
Scale
Dipping Oil Ingredients
- ⅔ cup extra virgin olive oil
- 3 Tbsp Kalamata olives, finely chopped
- 2 Tbsp sun-dried tomatoes, finely chopped
- 1 Tbsp fresh basil, thinly sliced
- 1 Tbsp fresh rosemary, finely chopped
- 1 Tbsp capers, drained and roughly chopped
- ½ tsp crushed red pepper flakes
- 3 cloves garlic, finely chopped or grated
- ½ tsp lemon zest (about 1 tsp)
- ¼ cup aged balsamic vinegar
- ½ tsp Kosher salt
- Freshly cracked black pepper, to taste
To Serve
- French baguette or other artisan bread
Instructions
- Heat the Oil and Infuse Aromatics: Place ⅔ cup extra virgin olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat until warm but not smoking. Add the finely chopped Kalamata olives, sun-dried tomatoes, fresh basil, rosemary, capers, and crushed red pepper flakes to the oil. Cook gently, stirring occasionally, for about 2 minutes until the mixture is fragrant and the flavors begin to meld.
- Add Garlic and Lemon Zest: Stir in the finely chopped or grated garlic along with the fresh lemon zest. Swirl the skillet carefully and cook for an additional 1 minute to warm the garlic and release its aroma without burning.
- Finish and Serve: Transfer the infused oil mixture to a serving bowl. Stir in ¼ cup aged balsamic vinegar, Kosher salt, and freshly cracked black pepper to taste. Mix thoroughly to combine all the vibrant flavors. Serve immediately alongside slices of French baguette or your favorite artisan bread for dipping and enjoying.
Notes
- Use good quality extra virgin olive oil for the best flavor.
- Finely chopping ingredients helps release their flavors in the oil.
- Adjust the crushed red pepper flakes according to desired heat level.
- Serve the dipping oil warm for maximum aroma and better flavor infusion.
- Leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator, but bring to room temperature before serving.
- This dipping oil also pairs well with focaccia, ciabatta, or sourdough bread.
Keywords: bread dipping oil, olive oil dip, Mediterranean appetizer, bread dip recipe, garlic oil dip, balsamic vinegar dip
