Middle Eastern Olive and Zataar Dipping Oil

Middle Eastern Olive and Zataar Dipping Oil

Safira

This dipping oil is incredibly delicious and all about balance. It is inspired by Lebanese and Middle Eastern mezze traditions and is earthy, nutty, salty and tangy, with just enough sweetness and gentle heat to keep you coming back for more. Serve it with warm flatbread and watch it disappear, or spoon it over hummus, roasted vegetables, or grilled meats. It’s rustic but refined.

This is the kind of dish that always gets a lot of attention. Somehow it always becomes the centre of the table. A shallow bowl filled with good olive oil, warmed with zaatar, dotted with olives, sundried tomatoes and walnuts, finished with a glossy drizzle of pomegranate molasses. It looks simple, almost effortless but every bite is layered and deeply satisfying. Serve it generously and mop it up unapologetically.

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Prep Time 8

Cook Time 2

Total Time 10

Course appetiser, Side, starter

Cuisine Lebanese, Middle Eastern

Servings as a dip

Calories 115 kcal

Ingredients

200 ml Olive Oil Good quality
175 g Mixed Olives
Handful Walnuts Lightly pan roasted for 1-2 minutes
3-4 Sundried Tomatoes FInely sliced, optional
2-3 cloves Garlic Sliced
½ teaspoon Red Chilli Flakes
¾ - 1 tablespoon Pul Biber
½ teaspoon Black Pepper
1 Lemon Zest only
1 ½ tablespoon Zataar
1 ½ tablespoon Balsamic Vinegar
1 tablespoon Pomegrante Molasses
Salt
1-2 tablespoon Fresh Coriander Sliced finely

Instructions

Prepare the base

Add Oil to a shallow bowl. Finely chop the olives, sundried tomatoes and roasted walnuts. Add them to the bowl.

Infuse the oil

Add sliced garlic, chilli flakes, pul biber, black pepper, lemon zest, and zaatar.

Add acidity & sweetness

Stir in balsamic vinegar and pomegranate molasses.

Mix the Oil

Gently mix until everything is well combined.

Taste & adjust

Add salt only if needed. Finish with fresh coriander just before serving.

Let it rest

Let it sit for 10–15 minutes to allow the flavours to marry.
Note - The order is not that important because everything is mixed together and left to rest for the flavours to develop.

Notes

Tips for the Best Dipping Oil

Check that your zaatar isn’t stale. It will dull the flavour of the Oil.
Chop ingredients finely for a cohesive texture
Taste after resting because flavours develop with time
Always zest citrus directly over the bowl to catch the oils.
Taste after resting, not immediately. Zaatar needs time to bloom.

Variations You’ll Love

Spicy Harissa Version

Replace chilli flakes with 1 teaspoon harissa paste for deeper heat.

Nut-Free Option

Skip the walnuts and add toasted sesame seeds for crunch.

Citrus Twist

Add a splash of orange zest alongside lemon for a fragrant lift. Again this is a tried and tested variation and it is very delicious

Serving Suggestions

With warm khubz, pita, or naan
Drizzled over labneh or hummus
Spoon over roasted vegetables
As a salad dressing base
With grilled halloumi or spooned over warm feta with a drizzle of honey.

Storage & Make-Ahead Tips

Store in an airtight jar in the fridge for up to 5 days.

Bring to room temperature before serving.

If the oil solidifies in the fridge, simply let it sit out for 10 minutes.

Flavours deepen beautifully after a few hours.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I make zaatar oil ahead of time?

Yes. It actually tastes better after resting for a few hours and can be made 2-3 days in advance.

Nutrition

Calories: 115kcalCarbohydrates: 2gProtein: 0.1gFat: 12gSaturated Fat: 2gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 9gSodium: 2mgPotassium: 16mgFiber: 0.3gSugar: 1gVitamin A: 24IUVitamin C: 4mgCalcium: 4mgIron: 0.1mg

Keyword dipping oil, Olive dip, zataar oil

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