Bread Dipping Oil Recipe | Restaurant-Style Recipe

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3030 Minutes or LessGFGluten-Free

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10 minutes mins

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By: Rachel GurkPosted: 04/29/2019Updated: 04/13/2021

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This is the most irresistible restaurant-style bread dipping oil recipe! You’ll feel like you’re at a fancy Italian restaurant and you won’t be able to stop dipping!

Bread Dipping Oil Recipe | Restaurant-Style Recipe - Rachel Cooks® (1)

Give me a loaf of bread that’s the perfect balance of crusty and soft, and this bread dipping oil, and I’m a happy girl. Throw in a glass of wine and you’re pretty much making all my dreams come true.

I mean, this stuff is absolutely irresistible. Someone asked me to develop a recipe for this, quite some time ago now…and I did…and then I sat on the floor of my studio after I photographed it and ate bite after bite…after bite. It’s garlicky, herby, a little spicy, a little salty, and 100% amazing.

Bread Dipping Oil Recipe | Restaurant-Style Recipe - Rachel Cooks® (2)

Drizzle over some incredible extra virgin olive oil and you have the perfect precursor to pretty much any meal. I mean…if you want to make it a meal in and of itself, you won’t find me judging. You’ll probably find me saying, “Could you please pass me the bread?”

This bread dipping oil is the best concoction of herbs, garlic, and of course, rich, flavorful olive oil. It makes a lot, but it stores well in the fridge for about a week. If you want to extend the shelf life further, leave out the fresh garlic and just add that when you’re ready to use it. That’s what I typically do.

Bread Dipping Oil Recipe | Restaurant-Style Recipe - Rachel Cooks® (3)

What Is in this bread Dipping Oil?

So much great stuff! It all works together so well for the perfect bite with every dip of bread.

garlic, of course!
oregano
basil
parsley
onion powder
cracked black pepper
red pepper flakes
thyme
rosemary
garlic powder
and of course, the star, olive oil! Try to find a really rich, bold, extra virgin olive oil.

Bread Dipping Oil Recipe | Restaurant-Style Recipe - Rachel Cooks® (4)

Want to take this oil mixture to the next level?
Try adding:
– a splash of really good balsamic vinegar
– freshly grated Parmesan cheese

Bread Dipping Oil Recipe | Restaurant-Style Recipe - Rachel Cooks® (5)

This bread dipping oil goes great with

Chicken Marsala Pasta (one pan!)
Instant Pot Pasta with Spinach, Sausage, and Tomatoes
Instant Pot Spaghetti
One Pan Rigatoni with Creamy Red Wine Tomato Sauce
Chicken Tuscan Pasta Bake

Did you make this? Be sure to leave a review below and tag me @rachelcooksblog on Facebook, Instagram, or Pinterest!

Recipe

Get the Recipe: Bread Dipping Oil Recipe | Restaurant-Style

4.47 from 640 votes

Prep Time: 10 minutes mins

Total Time: 10 minutes mins

7 tablespoons dry mix

Print Rate Recipe

This is the most irresistible restaurant-style bread dipping oil recipe! You'll feel like you're at a fancy Italian restaurant and you won't be able to stop dipping!

Ingredients

▢ 1 tablespoon (2-3 large cloves) minced garlic - use fresh, not the refrigerated kind in a jar! (SEE NOTE)
▢ 1 tablespoon dried oregano
▢ 1 tablespoon dried basil
▢ 1 tablespoon dried parsley
▢ 2 teaspoons onion powder
▢ 2 teaspoons freshly cracked black pepper
▢ 2 teaspoons red pepper flakes
▢ 1 1/2 teaspoons kosher salt
▢ 1 teaspoon dried thyme
▢ 1/2 teaspoon dried rosemary
▢ 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
▢ Extra virgin olive oil
▢ Grated Parmesan cheese, optional

Instructions

Mix all ingredients together in a small bowl EXCEPT olive oil, garlic, and parmesan cheese (see note about garlic).
When ready to use, mix ONLY 1 tablespoon of mixture with about 1/2 cup of olive oil. If desired, add 1 tablespoon freshly grated Parmesan cheese.
Store remaining mixture in fridge for up to a week (unless you didn't use fresh garlic, then you can store dry herb/spice mixture in your pantry for up to 6 months).

Notes

If you'd like to store this mix longer, leave out the fresh garlic and just add it when you're ready to serve. If you do this, you don't need to refrigerate the mixture and it will keep for up to 6 months in your pantry.
For a more mild garlic flavor, omit fresh garlic and increase garlic powder to 1 teaspoon.
Nutrition information is for dry mix only and does not include olive oil or cheese.
This is also really good with some high quality balsamic mixed in.

Nutrition Information

Serving: 1g, Calories: 6kcal, Carbohydrates: 1g, Sodium: 228mg, Fiber: 1g

This website provides approximate nutrition information for convenience and as a courtesy only. Nutrition data is gathered primarily from the USDA Food Composition Database, whenever available, or otherwise other online calculators.

Reader Interactions

Leave a Review

Donna Chandler says
February 27, 2024 at 10:14 pm

Excellent
Reply
- Rachel Gurk says
  March 3, 2024 at 4:32 pm
  Thank you!
  Reply
Blair says
February 1, 2024 at 2:31 pm

I used to manage an italian restaurant called Bertuccis. We served rolls with an olive oil dip and everyone loved it. I made YOUR recipe and it is different but just as good! Just had some. I love that you told us how to make it and store it for later use. That was super helpful! THANK YOU!!!
Reply
- Rachel Gurk says
  February 11, 2024 at 2:34 pm
  You’re so welcome! Thank you for the kind comment!
  Reply
Veronica says
January 30, 2024 at 2:28 pm
See Also
Focaccia - Focaccia Bread - Focaccia Recipe - Rasa Malaysia

I of course refrigerated because I added the garlic but now it’s hardened because of the oil. Do I just let it thaw out? This is so delicious thank you so much!
Reply
- Rachel Gurk says
  February 11, 2024 at 2:33 pm
  Yes just let it sit at room temp for 15 min or so – it liquidizes pretty quickly.
  Reply
Marvin Tunnell says
January 29, 2024 at 4:10 pm

Love it
Reply
- Rachel Gurk says
  January 30, 2024 at 8:56 am
  Thank you, Marvin!
  Reply
Heather D says
January 15, 2024 at 12:41 pm
Just mixed it and smells amazing. Can’t wait to use it. How many servings of the mix is this then? 3-4?
Reply
- Rachel Gurk says
  January 30, 2024 at 8:23 am
  It makes enough to use it about 7 times if you’re using a tablespoon of the mixture each time. I hope you love it!
  Reply
Patty says
December 8, 2023 at 9:18 pm

The bread dipping recipe is delicious. Didn’t change anything in the recipe. Will make it again.
Reply
- Rachel Gurk says
  December 18, 2023 at 12:35 pm
  So glad you liked it! Thank you for leaving a review!
  Reply
Sonya says
November 14, 2023 at 4:12 pm

I made it and love it!!!!
It was a hit with everyone from parents to kids. I took it a little further and added one TBS of the dry mix to my homemade gluten free bread. Great flavor!
Reply
- Rachel Gurk says
  November 19, 2023 at 2:14 pm
  So glad you liked it! Thank you for leaving a review!
  Reply
Heather says
October 15, 2023 at 9:30 pm

Amazing!!! So yummy!
Reply
- Rachel Gurk says
  October 16, 2023 at 7:11 am
  So happy you liked it!
  Reply
Sean says
October 1, 2023 at 3:40 pm

At what point does the fresh garlic come in? Am I supposed to mix it into the oil after adding the dry mixture?
Reply
- Rachel Gurk says
  October 6, 2023 at 12:46 pm
  Since the spice mix itself without the garlic can be stored in your pantry for weeks, I recommend adding the garlic in just to the portion you’re eating when you’re ready to serve. So, put some minced garlic in a bowl or shallow plate, add the seasoning mixture, and add olive oil. That’s definitely the best way, but it’s great without the fresh garlic too. I often leave it out if I’m serving people who are more more sensitive to garlic.
  Reply
Susan Evans says
September 23, 2023 at 6:13 pm

Does the oil need to be refrigerated after making
Reply
- Rachel Gurk says
  September 25, 2023 at 8:33 am
  If you use fresh garlic, the oil should be refrigerated. It will keep for a week. If you use dried garlic or garlic powder, it is pantry safe and will keep for up to six months. Hope that helps!
  Reply
Howell says
September 16, 2023 at 7:04 pm

Amazing first round. Went without the Parmesan (not my choice) and I used the jarred minced garlic and cut the red pepper flakes in half for my youngest, and she thought it was great. Definitely a staple for our weekly Italian dinners. Thank you for sharing your recipe.
Reply
- Rachel Gurk says
  September 22, 2023 at 8:41 am
  So glad you enjoyed it! Thank you for leaving a review!
  Reply
Amy Bauer says
August 27, 2023 at 8:03 pm

Loved it! And so easy! Thank you!
Reply
- Rachel Gurk says
  September 5, 2023 at 11:36 am
  You’re welcome!
  Reply
Diane says
August 15, 2023 at 3:16 pm
I’m sorry…I think I’m missing something. Mix all together except oil, garlic and cheese. Then use I TBS of the dry mix with 1/2 cup olive oil and a Tablespoon of garlic on the plate? I love garlic, but that seems string, even for me.
Just trying to get it right. Thank you!
Reply
- Rachel Gurk says
  September 5, 2023 at 11:29 am
  You can definitely just use garlic powder, or reduce the fresh garlic if you’d like.
  Reply
- Flying Squirrel says
  October 30, 2023 at 2:47 am
  
  I used this a little differently, but the spice combo for the exception of the red pepper flakes (I was out and substituted 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper) was perfection!
  I took an entire loaf of Italian bread sliced it in 1/2 in. Ovals, dipped one entire surface of each slice in the dipping sauce, covered it with a mixture of the Italian cheeses left in my fridge and made crostini. It turned out spectacular and gave my home the scent of an Italian restaurant!
  Reply

Older Comments

Bread Dipping Oil Recipe | Restaurant-Style Recipe - Rachel Cooks® (2024)

FAQs

What bread is best for dipping in oil? ›

Best Bread for Dipping in Oil

French Bread.
Focaccia Bread.
Herbed Peasant Bread.
Homemade Baguette.
No Knead Artisan Bread.
Dinner Rolls.

Feb 5, 2024

Read The Full Story ›

What is Carrabba's bread dip made of? ›

Carrabba's Bread Dip recipe – the real thing! Recipe straight from Carrabba's Italian Grill. Parsley, basil, rosemary, oregano, garlic, red pepper flakes, kosher salt, black pepper, and olive oil. Can make the spice mixture in advance and store it in an airtight container until ready to serve.

Why don't Italians dip bread in olive oil? ›

There are a couple reasons why this rule exists. 1) Extra virgin olive oil is expensive. 2) If a communal bowl of olive oil is placed in the middle of the table, diners will have to share. 3) There's the potential for drips.

What makes the bread dipping oil at restaurants so delicious? ›

Well, it comes down to two simple things: they may use better recipes to infuse their dipping oil with, but most importantly, they are just using fresher, higher-quality oil.

Keep Reading ›

What kind of bread is used for dipping? ›

I mean you can't have an olive oil dip for bread, without a loaf of bread 🙂 For me, the best bread to serve it with is Italian bread such as focaccia to keep the Italian theme. You can of course use other bread such as a french baguette, ciabatta, sourdough bread or even crunchy crostini would be amazing!

Know More ›

What do Italians call dipping bread in sauce? ›

Scarpetta: The Italian Word for Dipping the Sauce on the Plate With a Small Shoe, or Bread.

Read The Full Story ›

Why is Carrabba's food so salty? ›

Carrabba's Italian Grill Fettuccine Weesie With Whole Grain Spaghetti. Alfredo sauces are always high in sodium because of their cheese and salted butter content. Largeman-Roth also points out that the shrimp in the dish may contribute to the overall sodium amount as well.

Do Italians dip bread in pasta? ›

In Italy, scarpetta means sopping up all the sauce left on your plate (or in the pot) with bread. The literal meaning of the term is “l*ttle shoe,” which comes from the fact that a shoe, just like the bread on the plate, drags up what's on the ground.

Show Me More ›

What are the four food rules in Italy? ›

The Do's and Don'ts of Italian Food Etiquette

Rule #1: Reserve a table. ...
Rule #2: Order local. ...
Rule #3: Leave a tip. ...
Rule #4: Scarpetta. ...
Rule #1: Do not order Cappuccino with a meal. ...
Rule #2: Tap water. ...
Rule #3: Cheese glorious cheese. ...
Rule #5: To spoon or not to spoon.

Discover More Details ›

What is olive oil and balsamic vinegar called? ›

Make a Vinaigrette

Mix 2 parts olive oil to 1 part balsamic vinegar (of course this may be adjusted per your taste) for a wonderful compliment to your salads.

What cultures dip bread in olive oil? ›

Bread dipping has deep cultural roots in Mediterranean cuisine, particularly in countries like Italy, Greece, and Spain. It reflects the communal nature of meals shared amongst family and friends. Breaking bread and dipping it in olive oil signifies unity, hospitality, and conviviality that transcends borders.

Find Out More ›

Which olive oil is best for bread dipping? ›

This means that extra virgin olive oil is the best olive oil for dipping bread. Extra virgin olive oil is the freshest, least processed type of olive oil, which results in that grassy, peppery flavor that is a hallmark of olive oil.

Bread Dipping Oil Recipe | Restaurant-Style Recipe - Rachel Cooks® (2024)