This Marinated Olive Dip is creamy, savory, and packed with bold Mediterranean flavor. It’s the easiest appetizer that feels effortlessly fancy, and it comes together in just a few simple steps.
Table of Contents
What is Marinated Olive Dip?
This dish is a creamy, tangy spread topped with bright, zesty olives that have been marinated in olive oil, citrus, herbs, and garlic. The whipped cottage cheese is a smooth and slightly tangy base that pairs perfectly with the rich saltiness of the olives.
Marinated olive dip is inspired by classic Mediterranean ingredients, but we add a fresh twist with the texture and presentation. Whether you serve it with warm pita, crostini, or crisp veggies, it’s a guaranteed crowd-pleaser at parties—or just a next-level snack for yourself. Bonus: it’s super customizable depending on what you have on hand!
Ingredients You Need
For the Whipped Cottage Cheese:
- Full-Fat Cottage Cheese – We love using cottage cheese because it whips up into a rich, velvety base with just the right amount of tang. Full-fat versions give you the best texture and flavor.
- Cream Cheese or Greek Yogurt – Either of these will add even more creaminess and body to the cottage cheese.
- Olive Oil – We drizzle this in to bring richness and help everything blend together easily. A high-quality olive oil adds a hint of peppery flavor.
- Garlic Clove – This adds a savory punch. Mince it finely or grate it to let the flavor melt into the cheese.
- Salt and Pepper – These help bring out all the other flavors. Don’t skip the pepper—it adds subtle warmth.
- Lemon Zest – We love using this ingredient because it adds brightness and balances out the richness of the cheese.
For the Marinated Olives:
- Mixed Olives (Green and Black, Pitted) – This combo gives you a mix of briny, buttery, and slightly sweet flavors. We recommend using a mix for maximum flavor and color.
- Olive Oil – This helps infuse the olives with all the other ingredients. It also makes the marinade perfect for drizzling later.
- Lemon Zest – This adds citrusy aroma and a fresh pop of flavor. We love how it balances out the saltiness of the olives.
- Fresh Lemon Juice – This is a great way to add brightness and acidity. It also helps soften the garlic a bit as it marinates.
- Garlic Clove, Sliced – We add this to give a subtle kick and infuse the oil with flavor. Slicing it keeps it mellow instead of overpowering.
- Red Pepper Flakes – These add just the right amount of heat. Feel free to adjust based on your spice preference.
- Dried Oregano (or Fresh Thyme/Rosemary) – This brings earthy, herbal notes that deepen the flavor. Use whichever herb you have on hand!
- Orange Peel (Optional) – This adds a sweet, fragrant twist to the marinade.
- Crushed Walnuts (Optional) – We love using these for a little crunch. They add an earthy, nutty contrast to the olives and cheese.
How to Make Whipped Cottage Cheese and Marinated Olives
- Marinate the Olives. Combine your olives with olive oil, lemon zest, lemon juice, garlic, red pepper flakes, and herbs in a bowl or small jar. Give it all a good stir and let it sit to soak in the flavor—longer is better here!
- Whip the Cottage Cheese. Add cottage cheese and cream cheese or yogurt to the bowl of a food processor along with the olive oil, garlic, salt, pepper, and lemon zest. Blend the ingredients together until everything is smooth and fluffy—don’t stop until it’s creamy and cloud-like.
- Plate and Garnish. Transfer the whipped cottage cheese to a shallow bowl or plate. Spoon the marinated olives over the top and gently pour a bit of the herby oil on. Garnish with flaky salt or extra herbs.
- Serve It Up. Grab some warm pita, crunchy bread, or fresh veggies and dive in!
Variations
- Feta – Crumbled feta blended with Greek yogurt makes a saltier, tangier base. It’s perfect if you’re already a fan of feta.
- Fresh Herbs – A handful of basil, parsley, or dill blended in adds a bright pop of color and even more herbaceous flavor.
- Spicy – Stir Calabrian chili paste or hot honey into the cheese mixture for a sweet and spicy combo.
- Capers – These add a bold, briny boost to the olive mix.
- Labneh or Ricotta – For a different kind of creaminess, try whipped labneh for a tangier twist or ricotta for a more delicate texture.
- Toasted Nuts or Seeds – Add crunch with toasted pine nuts, sesame seeds, or crushed pistachios on top.
- Serve It Mezze-Style – Surround the dip with hummus, baba ganoush, and tabbouleh for a full Mediterranean mezze spread.
Can I Store Leftovers?
This dip is best when it’s freshly made because the whipped cottage cheese can separate slightly over time.
Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 days.
We don’t recommend freezing this dish—it changes the texture too much and makes the cheese grainy.
Common Questions about Marinated Olive Dip
Technically, yes—but you won’t get the same silky-smooth result. A food processor or blender works best to get that airy, creamy texture.
Yes! It’s high in protein and lower in fat than many creamy dips. Plus, you can control what goes in it, which makes it a wholesome snack or appetizer.
A mix of green and black olives works beautifully. Look for ones that are firm, pitted, and packed in brine—not oil—so they can soak up all that zesty marinade.
Make sure to use full-fat cottage cheese and blend it long enough to get completely smooth. Adding a bit of cream cheese or yogurt helps with texture, too.
More Recipes with Whipped Cheese
We can’t get enough of whipped cheeses! If you’re like us, try these other creamy, savory, and cheesy recipes!
Chickpeas and Roasted Carrots with Whipped Feta
Mediterranean Whipped Cottage Cheese Salad
Whipped Feta with Roasted Peppers
Whipped Goat Cheese with Strawberries
Marinated Olive Dip Recipe
Ingredients
For the Marinated Olives:
- 1 cup mixed olives green and black, pitted
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 teaspoon lemon zest
- 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
- 1 small garlic clove sliced
- 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes
- 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano or fresh thyme/rosemary
- Optional: a few strips of orange peel for added fragrance crushed walnuts
For the Whipped Cottage Cheese:
- 1 cup full-fat cottage cheese
- 2 tablespoons cream cheese or Greek yogurt optional, for added creaminess
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 small garlic clove optional, grated or minced
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Zest of 1/2 lemon optional, for brightness
Instructions
Marinate the Olives (Make Ahead if Possible):
- In a bowl or jar, combine the olives with olive oil, lemon zest, lemon juice, sliced garlic, red pepper flakes, and oregano. Stir well and let marinate at room temperature for at least 30 minutes, or refrigerate for a few hours or overnight for deeper flavor.1 cup mixed olives, 2 tablespoons olive oil, 1 teaspoon lemon zest, 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice, 1 small garlic clove, 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes, 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
Make the Whipped Cottage Cheese:
- In a food processor or high-speed blender, combine the cottage cheese, cream cheese or yogurt (if using), olive oil, garlic, salt, pepper, and lemon zest. Blend until smooth and creamy, about 1–2 minutes. Taste and adjust seasoning.1 cup full-fat cottage cheese, 2 tablespoons cream cheese or Greek yogurt, 1 tablespoon olive oil, 1 small garlic clove, Salt and pepper to taste, Zest of 1/2 lemon
Assemble & Serve:
- Spoon the whipped cottage cheese into a shallow bowl or spread it on a serving plate. Top generously with the marinated olives and a drizzle of the infused marinade oil. Add a pinch of flaky salt or extra herbs on top if you like.Optional: a few strips of orange peel for added fragrance
Serve with:
- Warm pita, crusty bread, crackers, or raw veggies.
Equipment
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Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Amazing!!! My husband and I love this!
Would this also be good with the marinated tomatoes from your whipped feta recipe. It may save me a trip to the store!
Yes! We hope you enjoy. 😊
Xo,
Alia & Radwa
Yummy recipe. I love all your recipes. It is so delicious and easy to make.
Thank you so much, Salima!
Xo,
Alia & Radwa
Yummm!