Made with garlic, lemon, and fresh herbs, this Bread Dipping Oil is utterly delicious. This is the best copycat recipe for restaurant-style herbed dipping oil.
If you make this dip, be sure to serve it with my crusty rustic bread or seeded harvest bread. It’s truly a match made in heaven!
Recipe Details
This restaurant-style herbed Dipping Oil is pretty much always on the menu when we have company over for dinner. I just love how this simple but flavorful dip adds so much to a delicious dinner.
- TASTE: The flavors of this Bread Dipping Oil are garlicky, citrusy, and herbaceous. There is so much freshness in this dip, you won’t believe how tasty it is.
- TEXTURE: This is an oil dip that is thin and smooth with tons of herbs floating inside.
- TIME: This recipe only takes 10 minutes.
- EASE: It’s so quick and easy. This oil is simple to prepare and can be stored for later use.
What You’ll Need
Ingredient Notes
- Parsley- You want to use flat-leaf parsley here (so not the curly one).
- Rosemary, mint, and basil- You must use FRESH rosemary, mint, basil. I know there are such small amounts here but please don’t skip or substitute any herbs (not even for the dried version).
- Oil- Here I used avocado oil since its mild in flavor and very nutritious. I’ve tried it with olive oil and it just didn’t taste that good.
- Lemon juice– Be sure to use fresh lemon juice and not the concentrated store-bought stuff. This little hint of citrus is a must here.
- Fresh garlic, onion, and spices– Yes I know it looks like a lot of garlic but believe me, this is where the flavors come from. And make sure to season this with salt and pepper. Ultimately, salt is what gives everything flavor.
Add-ins and Substitutions
- Add parmesan cheese- Adding finely grated parmesan cheese will give this dip a salty, cheesy flavor that is delicious.
- Make it spicy with red pepper flakes- Add red chili flakes to your dipping oil to add some spice.
- Add green olives or balsamic vinegar- For a salty, briny flavor, add some chopped green olives. For some sweet acidity, try balsamic.
- Substitute olive oil- If you prefer, you can use extra virgin olive oil in place of the avocado oil. It will have a slightly stronger flavor.
How to Make Bread Dipping Oil with Fresh Herbs
- Start off by finely chopping all the herbs. Use a very sharp knife, especially for the rosemary.
- Now place them in a small food processor. Here is when you can add in the crushed garlic and minced onion as well. You only want to pulse it a few times until the herbs are crushed down to a grainy texture.
- Add the remaining ingredients. So this is where the freshly squeezed lemon juice, pepper, salt, and avocado oil come in. Don’t add all the oil in though, just a quarter cup.
- Now emulsify it with the remaining oil. This part can be tricky since you want the oil to blend in with the herbs but you don’t want to overdo it. So do little pulses at a time.
Pro Tip: Be sure to remove the actual herbs from each sprig. I have a great tutorial on how to do this in my crown roast of pork recipe.
Recipe Tips
- Use fresh herbs only. In a dipping oil recipe like this, you never want to switch the fresh herbs for the dried ones. The only time dried herbs work is when they get cooked and reinfuse. This recipe isn’t cooked so keep it all fresh for better taste.
- Careful when emulsifying the herbs with oil. If you don’t blend the ingredients with the oil enough, the bread dipping oil will be very separated and you will most likely only be dipping the oil instead of the herbs since the will sink.
- Don’t over-blend it. If you accidentally over-blend it, the oil mixture will have a thick and creamy consistency. Believe me, this has happened to me and its not a pleasant look or texture.
FAQs
What type of bread is best for dipping in oil?
Any crusty bread is delicious when dipped into this herbaceous dipping oil, but Italian bread, French baguette, ciabatta, or focaccia bread are best. The difference in textures is delightful.
Why is my dipping oil so thick?
If you bread dipping oil has a thick and creamy consistency, this is likely because you have over-blended it. Add the oil slowly to the herbs and mix just enough to combine everything, but not enough to turn it into a mayonnaise-like texture.
Serving Suggestions
This delicious Bread Dipping Oil with fresh herbs is garlicky, citrusy, and herbaceous. Enjoy it with homemade bread, seafood, pasta, or other dishes.
- Breads: Serve this dipping oil with some slices of Focaccia Bread, Sourdough Bread, Rustic Bread (overnight), or Multigrain Harvest Bread.
- Meats: Enjoy this oil with a meal of Braised Beef, Breaded Chicken Skewers, Crispy Baked Chicken Thighs, or Beef Stew.
- Seafood: Serve it alongside Baked Shrimp Scampi, Cilantro Lime Salmon, Pan Fried Cod with Sautéed Vegetables or Pesto Salmon.
- Pasta: Pair this herbed oil with Chicken Bacon Ranch Pasta (VIDEO), Spaghetti and Meatballs, Spaghetti Carbonara, or Asparagus Pasta.
Make This Recipe in Advance
Make ahead: Because this dip stores so well, you can make it up to a week ahead of time.
Storing: Store this Bread Dipping Oil in a jar with a lid and keep it refrigerated for up to a week.
Freeze: You can freeze this dipping oil in ice cube trays so you only have to defrost as much as you want to use. Just give it a good stir before serving.
More Delicious Dips!
Watch Recipe Video Here
Full Recipe Instructions
Bread Dipping Oil with Fresh Herbs
The best copycat recipe for restaurant-style garlicky herbed bread dipping oil. This dip is so yummy, you’ll want to dip your bread in it over and over again!
Servings: 20 people
Calories: 74kcal
Instructions
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Finely chop each herb, especially the rosemary. Then chop the onion and garlic.
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Place the finely chops herbs, garlic, and onion into a small food processor, then add the freshly pressed lemon juice, salt, black pepper, and 1/4 cup avocado oil. Pulse it a few times until the mixture becomes finer.
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Transfer the herb mixture into a small bowl and whisk in the remaining 1/2 cup avocado oil. Serve with warm bread. Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator.
Notes
How to store bread dipping oil?
Since this dipping oil has fresh herbs and garlic, store it in the refrigerator for up to 1 week in an airtight jar like a mason jar.
Can I substitute the fresh herbs for dried ones?
Unfortunately, no. This dip is meant to have maximum herb flavor to complement bread, so swapping the main ingredients for the dried version will cause the dipping oil to lose a ton of flavor.
Nutrition
Calories: 74kcal | Carbohydrates: 1g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 8g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 58mg | Potassium: 4mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 4IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 2mg | Iron: 1mg
This recipe was originally posted on Jul 11, 2018, we’ve tweaked it a bit since then.
Hi, I’m Dina, so glad you stopped by! I believe life is too short for bad coffee and boring meals. With my easy to follow step-by-step recipes, you’ll be surprised at how quickly a wholesome and delicious meal can come together. I hope you find something you enjoy!
