Olive Dip with Green Olives and Cream Cheese
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Olive dip is a winning party appetizer for all olive lovers! This recipe is simple but delicious and a go-to option for any occasion. Serve this as a dip or as an olive spread, whichever you prefer! Bring it to your next potluck, game day celebration or holiday party and watch it quickly disappear. Your taste buds will thank you for this appetizer they won’t forget!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
With only four basic ingredients and only five minutes of prep time, this easy recipe couldn’t be more simple to whip up. This dish is perfect for when you need a quick and tasty appetizer, whether you’re throwing a party or not. It’s a crowd favorite with minimal effort required!
The adaptability of this dish is yet another reason to adore it. Because it doubles as a spread and a dip, it gives you the option for how to serve it. As with most cream cheese dips that have chilled for several hours, when you take it out of the fridge, it is like a spread. Once it has a chance to come to room temperature, it is more like a creamy dip.
While it makes a delicious olive cream cheese spread for crackers, bagels, or savory bread, it is also perfect for dipping chips, pretzels, or vegetables when you’re having guests over.
Need another great appetizer idea? This phyllo cup appetizer is another tasty option featuring cream cheese and cranberry relish or jam which can be served hot or cold. For fellow cream cheese lovers, this smoked cream cheese is another must-try. You could also consider this pesto bread appetizer which uses frozen bread dough and your favorite homemade or store bought pesto.
Olive Dip Recipe Ingredients
To make this delicious green olive dip, you will need a handful of simple ingredients:
- sliced green olives
- cream cheese
- mayonnaise
- pecans
The star of the show is the green sliced olives, which will provide a burst of tangy flavor to the dip and no need to worry about olive pits. The cream cheese and mayo adds a creamy and smooth texture and pairs well with the olives. The addition of chopped pecans adds a delightful crunch and a hint of earthy flavor.
I used both full fat cream cheese and mayonnaise. But you could try with the lighter versions if preferred.
How to Make Olive Dip
This dip is extremely quick and easy to make! If your pecans are already chopped, it is even quicker. If not, give them a good chop!
Next, whip your room temperature cream cheese with a mixer. It is important to have a softened block of cream cheese to avoid lumps. Mix in mayo.
Add in your well drained sliced olives and chopped pecans to the cream cheese mixture. Stir until well combined. Cover with plastic wrap or a lid. Place the olive dip in the refrigerator and chill for at least an hour. The longer it chills, the more the flavors will meld together, so feel free to leave it for a few hours or even overnight if possible.
Before serving, garnish with additional sliced olives or pecans.
What to Serve with Green Olive Dip
This green olive dip can be paired with a variety of items. One excellent option is crackers, which provide a satisfying and crunchy base. Considering offering a variety of plain and flavored crackers along with gluten-free crackers and pita chips. Alternatively, you can also opt for sliced bread, which can be toasted for an added crunch or left as is for a softer texture, or even pita bread. For a low-carb option, serve with your favorite veggies.
This delicious dip has a surprising amount of flavor with just the olives and pecans. The olives add saltiness so additional salt or spices is not necessary. (Trust me, the salty olives are enough.) I especially love it with my favorite crackers, Everything Crackers.
This dip with olives is quite portable, making it ideal for gatherings and celebrations. Put it in a container you can carry with you, then grab some bread or crackers, and you’re good to go with an easy appetizer. Less hassle, less mess! You can easily add this wonderful dip to any event. It’s actually how I discovered the recipe over a decade ago and I fell in love! Consider adding it to your next charcuterie board!
FAQ for Olive Dip:
- How long does olive dip last? When stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator, the olive dip can last up to 5 days.
- When should I take the olive dip out before serving? It is recommended to take the olive dip out of the refrigerator at least 10 minutes before serving unless you plan to use it only as an olive spread. This will allow it to come to room temperature, making it easier to dip.
- Are there any substitutions for the recipe? Yes, there are a number of substitutions you can make for this olive dip recipe. Instead of mayonnaise, you can use Greek yogurt or sour cream for a lighter option. Additionally, if you prefer a different type of olive, you can substitute. For example, you can use black olives or Kalamata olives for a different flavor profile. Black olive dip is quite delicious!
- Can I make olive dip ahead of time? Yes, you can prepare this cream cheese dip a day or two ahead of time and store it in the refrigerator until you are ready to serve. This makes it convenient for parties or gatherings.
- Can I freeze olive dip? It is not recommended to freeze the olive dip, as the texture and taste may be altered. It is best enjoyed fresh.
Hope you love this delightful green olive dip as much as I do! It really is an easy-to-make appetizer that is sure to be a hit at any gathering. The combination of green olives, cream cheese, mayo, and chopped pecans creates a dip that is creamy, tangy, and crunchy.
Olive Dip
Ingredients
- 8 oz package cream cheese softened
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise
- 5 oz. jar sliced green olives well drained
- 1 cup pecans chopped
Instructions
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Beat cream cheese in medium bowl with mixer until creamy.
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Mix in mayo until fully combined.
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Gently stir in olives and pecans. Transfer to small serving bowl.
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Cover and refrigerate at least one hour. Garnish with additional olives or pecans.
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Serve with crackers, bread or veggies. Cover and refrigerate any leftovers for up to 5 days.
Recipe Video
Recipe Notes
*Reserve some olives or pecans if you’d like to use for garnish.
Can be made one to two days in advance.
The longer you refrigerate, the more time this dip has to firm up and flavors a to meld. If you chill for several hours or more and serve immediately after removing from the refrigerator, it will be firm and more like a spread. If you let it sit out and come closer to room temperature, it will be like a dip.
Nutritional information is based on third-party calculations and should be considered estimates. Actual nutritional content will vary with brands used, measuring methods, portion sizes and more.
Other easy dips you’ll want to try:
In addition to this easy olive dip recipe, there are a variety of other simple and flavorful options that are worth trying. Here are some delicious alternatives that will surely impress your guests next time you have a party!
First up is the irresistible cream cheese bacon dip. The salty and savory flavors of the bacon combined with the creamy texture make it the perfect dip for chips, crackers or veggies.
If you’re a fan of pickles, then dill pickle dip will be a hit. This pickle dip with cream cheese is tangy, creamy, and packed with dill pickle flavor. Serve it with your favorite potato chips or crackers for a delicious snack.
This hot spinach dip with bacon is also a great choice. This creamy Lipton spinach dip features frozen chopped spinach, sour cream, mayo, bacon and Lipton onion soup mix for a delicious blend of flavors!
Last but not least, we can’t forget about dessert dips. These sweet and indulgent creations are perfect for satisfying your sweet tooth. Try cream cheese chocolate chip dip, or Reese’s peanut butter dip. These dips taste amazing served with graham crackers, pretzels, vanilla wafers or fruit for dipping. This fruit dip recipe is another great option to serve with your favorite fruits.
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