Creamy Olive Spread Recipe

Creamy Olive Spread Recipe: Zesty Party Dip in Minutes

Rich, velvety olive spread revamps ordinary moments into gourmet experiences with its luxurious texture and robust flavor profile.

Mediterranean kitchens have long celebrated this versatile culinary treasure that blends smooth ingredients into a delectable mixture.

Sophisticated palates appreciate the nuanced balance between sharp and mellow notes inherent in this delightful creation.

Olives contribute their distinctive character, creating a spread that whispers tales of sun-drenched landscapes and traditional cooking techniques.

Unexpected depth emerges from carefully selected ingredients, elevating simple snacks into memorable gastronomic encounters.

Home cooks can easily craft this delightful condiment using minimal equipment and straightforward preparation methods.

The magic lies in understanding how each component interacts to produce a harmonious blend that tantalizes taste buds.

Why Creamy Olive Spread Belongs on Every Cheese Board

  • Effortless Flavor Explosion: This creamy olive spread delivers a tangy, rich taste with minimal preparation, making it a perfect quick appetizer or snack for any occasion.
  • Versatile Crowd-Pleaser: Incredibly adaptable, the spread complements crackers, bread, and vegetables, ensuring everyone finds a way to enjoy its zesty olive-infused goodness.
  • Speedy Gourmet Preparation: With just a few simple ingredients and a quick mixing technique, you can create a restaurant-quality appetizer in mere minutes, impressing guests without spending hours in the kitchen.
  • Texture Triumph: The smooth, velvety base combined with chunky olive pieces creates a delightful contrast that keeps each bite interesting and satisfying.

Your Ingredient List for Creamy Olive Spread

Dairy Base:
  • Cream Cheese: Smooth and rich foundation that provides creamy texture and tangy flavor, with Neufchatel option for lower fat content.
  • Mayonnaise: Adds extra creaminess and helps bind ingredients together with a subtle richness.
Olive Components:
  • Green Olives with Pimiento: Briny, salty olives that bring sharp Mediterranean flavor and vibrant green color to the spread.
  • Olive Brine: Intensifies olive flavor and adds a zesty, salty liquid that enhances overall taste profile.

Mixing Up a Creamy Olive Spread That Pops

Step 1: Gathering Your Ingredients

  • Cream cheese
  • Mayonnaise
  • Olive brine
  • Green olives with pimiento
  • Mixing bowl
  • Hand mixer
  • Spatula

Step 2: Whipping The Creamy Base

Place cream cheese, mayonnaise, and olive brine into your mixing bowl. Use a hand mixer to blend the ingredients until they transform into a smooth, velvety texture. Continue mixing for about 2-3 minutes, ensuring no lumps remain and the mixture looks silky and spreadable.

Step 3: Adding Olive Excitement

Gently fold sliced green olives with pimiento into the creamy mixture. Use a spatula to distribute the olives evenly, creating delightful bursts of flavor throughout the spread. Mix carefully to maintain the light, airy texture.

Step 4: Chilling And Serving

Transfer the olive spread to a serving dish. You can enjoy it immediately or cover and refrigerate for up to 3 days. Serve alongside crispy crackers, toasted baguette slices, or fresh vegetable sticks for a delectable appetizer that will impress your guests.

Helpful Tips:
  • Choose high-quality olives for maximum flavor
  • Allow cream cheese to soften at room temperature before mixing
  • Adjust olive quantity based on personal preference

Tips for Smooth and Bold Olive Spread

  • Drain Olives Thoroughly: Pat olives completely dry with paper towels to prevent excess liquid from making the spread watery.
  • Smooth Out Texture: Use an electric mixer on medium speed to create a silky, uniform consistency without lumps.
  • Chill for Enhanced Flavor: Let the spread rest in the refrigerator for 30 minutes before serving to allow the flavors to meld and intensify.
  • Customize Mix-ins: Experiment with different olive varieties like kalamata or add fresh herbs like chopped dill for unique flavor profiles.
  • Storage Secret: Keep the spread in an airtight container and consume within 3-4 days for optimal freshness and taste.

Keeping Creamy Olive Spread Fresh and Fridge-Ready

  • Refrigerate: Store the olive spread in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Seal tightly to prevent air exposure and maintain freshness.
  • Freeze: Transfer the spread to a freezer-safe container, leaving a small space at the top for expansion. Freeze for up to 1 month. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before serving.
  • Reheat: Gently bring the spread to room temperature for 15-20 minutes before serving. Stir well to restore its creamy texture and restore its original consistency.

What Pairs Well with Creamy Olive Spread

  • Crackers Companion: Select crispy, thin water crackers or buttery ritz crackers to complement the tangy olive spread. Their light, delicate texture provides the perfect canvas for the creamy, salty mixture.
  • Wine Weekend Warrior: Pair this spread with a crisp, dry white wine like sauvignon blanc or pinot grigio. The wine's acidity cuts through the richness of the cream cheese while enhancing the olive's briny flavor.
  • Mediterranean Mezze Plate: Transform the spread into a star appetizer by surrounding it with marinated artichokes, roasted red peppers, feta cheese, and warm pita bread. This creates a vibrant, colorful spread that hints at Greek and Mediterranean culinary traditions.
  • Charcuterie Board Highlight: Nestle the olive spread alongside cured meats like prosciutto, salami, and some sharp aged cheddar. The spread's creamy texture and salty profile will beautifully balance the rich, meaty flavors of the charcuterie.

Twist Up the Flavor of Creamy Olive Spread

  • Mediterranean Herb Olive Spread: Enhance the base by adding chopped fresh herbs like basil, oregano, and thyme to create a vibrant, aromatic variation that transports your taste buds to the Mediterranean coast.
  • Spicy Jalapeño Olive Spread: Mix in finely diced jalapeños and a dash of hot sauce to give the spread a fiery kick that will excite heat-loving palates and add a zesty dimension to the creamy texture.
  • Roasted Garlic Olive Spread: Incorporate roasted garlic cloves for a deep, rich flavor that softens the tangy olive profile and adds a luxurious, caramelized undertone to the classic spread.
  • Greek-Style Olive Spread: Blend in crumbled feta cheese and a sprinkle of dried oregano to create a Greek-inspired version that brings a tangy, salty complexity to the original recipe.
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Creamy Olive Spread Recipe

Creamy Olive Spread Recipe


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4.8 from 26 reviews

  • Total Time: 10 minutes
  • Yield: 8 1x

Description

Mediterranean olive spread brings together briny Kalamata olives, rich cream cheese, and aromatic herbs in a luxurious appetizer. Smooth and tangy, this quick Mediterranean-inspired dip promises to elevate your next gathering with its bold Mediterranean flavors.


Ingredients

Scale

Main Ingredients:

  • 16 ounces (454 grams) cream cheese
  • 1 cup (240 milliliters) sliced green olives with pimiento

Supporting Ingredients:

  • 3 tablespoons (45 milliliters) mayonnaise
  • 3 tablespoons (45 milliliters) olive brine

Instructions

  1. Craft a smooth foundation by whisking cream cheese, mayonnaise, and olive brine in a mixing bowl until the texture becomes uniformly creamy and light.
  2. Gently introduce sliced green olives with pimientos into the mixture, carefully folding them to ensure an even distribution throughout the spread.
  3. Allow the spread to rest and chill in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes, enabling the flavors to meld and intensify.
  4. Transfer the olive spread to a serving dish, creating elegant swirls with the back of a spoon for visual appeal.
  5. Accompany the spread with an array of crisp crackers, toasted baguette slices, or raw vegetable crudités for a delightful appetizer or snack.
  6. For optimal flavor and texture, consume within 2-3 days when stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator.

Notes

  • Refrigerate spread for enhanced flavor melding, allowing ingredients to harmonize and develop deeper taste profiles.
  • Green olives add tangy bursts of briny goodness, creating unexpected texture and zesty Mediterranean-inspired complexity.
  • Versatile appetizer works perfectly as quick party snack or casual weekend nibble, impressing guests with minimal preparation effort.
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 0 minutes
  • Category: Appetizer, Snacks
  • Method: Blending
  • Cuisine: Mediterranean

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 8
  • Calories: 149
  • Sugar: 1 g
  • Sodium: 408 mg
  • Fat: 14 g
  • Saturated Fat: 6 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 3 g
  • Fiber: 0 g
  • Protein: 2 g
  • Cholesterol: 30 mg
Alex Reed

Alex Reed

Founder & Lead Content Writer

Expertise

Recipe Development and Testing​, Culinary Education​, Food Writing and Blogging​, Sustainable Cooking Practices, Global Cuisine Exploration

Education

Johnson & Wales University

  • Degree: Bachelor of Science in Culinary Arts
  • Focus: Comprehensive training in classical and contemporary cooking techniques, kitchen management, and menu development. Emphasized hands-on experience in diverse culinary traditions.​

Le Cordon Bleu Paris

  • Program: Diplôme de Cuisine
  • Focus: Advanced instruction in French culinary techniques, including sauce preparation, pâtisserie, and haute cuisine.​

Alex Reed is an inventive chef and food creator with a passion for dishes that balance taste, health, and sustainability. 

Trained at Portland Community College and holding an Advanced Pastry Arts certificate from Oregon Culinary Institute, Alex brings more than 10 years of practical culinary experience to every recipe he develops. 

His background uniquely blends traditional cooking skills with modern, mindful eating principles. As the founder of Beard and Bonnet, Alex creates recipes that encourage readers to cook confidently.

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