Now you can enjoy the quintessential appetizer from your favorite Italian restaurants at home! Nothing beats bread, olive oil, and balsamic vinegar that’s been jazzed up with some spices and garlic. It’s so simple, yet so amazing!

Restaurant-Style Olive Oil and Balsamic Bread Dip from The Food Charlatan

Last night we went on a family coupon date. Sounds super exciting right? A date, with all your kids there, where you run errands…wait.

I had no idea there were so many perks to buying a house. I mean, the tax deductions are nice and all, but…those coupons, man. Normally I balk at coupons. Too much work. But you send me a coupon for a free rotisserie chicken in the mail, just because I bought a house in the neighborhood? I am ALL over that.

Restaurant-Style Olive Oil and Balsamic Bread Dip from The Food Charlatan

(Can you see me?? Hiiiiiiii)

Restaurant-Style Olive Oil and Balsamic Bread Dip from The Food Charlatan

One of the coupons we redeemed was from McDonald’s, but not because they knew we just bought a house. They sent a flyer announcing that they are now serving breakfast ALL DAY. Is this a local thing or everywhere?? Have you heard about this? I don’t even eat at McDonald’s that often, but I’ve always thought fast food chains were stupid for not serving breakfast all day long. Denny’s and IHOP know where it’s at. (BACON. Bacon is where it’s at.)

Restaurant-Style Olive Oil and Balsamic Bread Dip from The Food Charlatan

We ordered chicken nuggets for the kids, and when the lady asked what kind of sauce we wanted I said ketchup. But then Eric chimed in, “Can we get some honey too?” And I assumed he meant Honey-Mustard.

Nope. Fist full of ketchup packets, and 2 packets of straight up honey.

Me: Why did they give us honey?
Eric: Well I asked for it.
Me: Why do you want honey?
Eric: For the kids to dip in.
Me: You want our kids to dip their fries in honey.

Restaurant-Style Olive Oil and Balsamic Bread Dip from The Food Charlatan

They loved it, by the way. I had a hard time arguing with Eric in face of the fact that ketchup is just sugar that’s been citric acid-ed. And also because if you are feeding your kids McDonald’s, why even try? (I’ll tell you why. Nothing gets everywhere like honey does. NOTHING.)

While we are on the subject of inappropriate food dips, let me introduce you to your new favorite appetizer. Do you remember the first time you dipped warm bread into olive oil and balsamic vinegar? Did you hear heavenly choirs up above? I know I did. I was at my sister’s wedding, and I was seriously mad that no one had ever told me that this was a thing. An awesome thing. The BEST thing.

Restaurant-Style Olive Oil and Balsamic Bread Dip from The Food Charlatan

I did a little research on this oil and vinegar appetizer tradition and found out that it’s not an Italian thing. At all. This is just America at it’s finest: “Let’s take this super filling bread and dip it in oil. That will make us so hungry for our dinner!” Am I the only one who gets full on bread at restaurants and then has to take most of my dinner home? No regrets. Bread for dinner is always a good choice.

Warm it up a bit, add some garlic and spices, and this stuff is irresistible. It would be perfect to serve as an appetizer at Thanksgiving! You could skip the olive oil if you want and just throw down a plate of straight-up honey. At least you know the kids will like it.

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Restaurant-Style Olive Oil and Balsamic Bread Dip

4.79 from 19 votes
Prep: 10 minutes
Cook: 10 minutes
Total: 20 minutes
Servings: 4 Servings
Now you can enjoy the quintessential appetizer from your favorite Italian restaurants at home! Nothing beats bread, olive oil, and balsamic vinegar that's been jazzed up with some spices and garlic. It's so simple, yet so amazing!
 

Ingredients

  • 1/2 cup extra-virgin olive oil, good quality
  • 4-5 cloves garlic, crushed and minced
  • 2 tablespoons oregano, or Italian seasoning
  • 1/4 cup parmesan cheese, fresh , finely grated
  • 1/4 cup balsamic vinegar, or to taste
  • ground black pepper, fresh, to taste
  • crusty bread, for dipping

Instructions

  • Pour the olive oil into a small shallow pan. Set over medium-low heat.
  • Add the minced garlic. Leave the oil and garlic over the heat just until it has warmed, (you are not cooking it, just warming) then pour the oil onto a deep plate or wide, shallow bowl.
  • Immediately sprinkle with oregano, parmesan, balsamic vinegar, and black pepper.
  • Serve with hot crusty bread! Prepare to abandon your dinner.

Notes

Pretty much every ingredient amount is alterable, so have it your way!

Nutrition

Serving: 1slice | Calories: 288kcal | Carbohydrates: 6g | Protein: 3g | Fat: 29g | Saturated Fat: 5g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 3g | Monounsaturated Fat: 20g | Cholesterol: 4mg | Sodium: 105mg | Potassium: 67mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 3g | Vitamin A: 92IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 124mg | Iron: 1mg
Course: Appetizer
Cuisine: Mediterranean
Calories: 288
Keyword: Balsamic, bread, dip, olive oil
Did you make this? I'd love to see it!Mention @thefoodcharlatan or tag #thefoodcharlatan!

Other appetizers you will love!

Parmesan Crusted Goat Cheese with Basil Oil << Here’s another good way to consume 1/2 cup of olive oil…plus cheese!

Parmesan Crusted Goat Cheese with Basil Oil from TheFoodCharlatan.com

 

Goat Cheese, Pesto, and Sun-Dried Tomato Terrine:

Goat Cheese, Pesto, and Sun-Dried Tomato Terrine from TheFoodCharlatan.com

 

Sriracha Garlic Bread:

Sriracha Garlic Bread from The Food Charlatan

 

Steak and Chimichurri Toasts: << these look kind of terrifying but they are SO GOOD.

Steak and Chimichurri Toasts from The Food Charlatan

Ricotta with Thyme, Olive Oil, and Grilled Bread from Alexandra’s Kitchen
Copycat Carrabba’s Herb Dip from Sugar Dish Me
Grilled Bread with Rosemary Dipping Oil from Tastes Lovely

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Comments

  1. You are a very funny girl. I must tell you, though, that there is something worse than honey. I found this out accidentally. Helping my son brew a batch of beer a few years ago, I somehow got sticky strings of malt syrup all over his kitchen. Oops – sorry. I promised not to help again. Extremely stickier-than-honey stuff!

    1. Hahaha!! This made me laugh so hard Victoria!! The other day my daughter was like, Mom, can we make cotton candy at home, WITHOUT a cotton candy machine? And I was like NO never is that happening. lol!

    1. it’s totally up to you! If you like it a little more spicy, add lots, if you’re not into that, then a few shakes will do. Enjoy!

  2. I made this for a dinner party along with 2 other oil dipping sauces. This one was my favorite, by far! In fact, after trying it I jokingly told my husband (we are newlyweds) that I wish I could divorce him and marry the dip. We put ours in a bowl and stirred it up and really love it that way, rather than separated. It held together pretty well.

    1. Haha! Isn’t it great to have the best of both worlds? A husband AND dip? God is good. lol. Good idea mixing them together!

    1. Thanks Laurie! It is really hard to beat bread + oil + vinegar :) Definitely let me know if you try it out!

  3. Oil and balsamic is the best dip ever. I haven’t had it in years and I think I have to change that asap. Love the garlic you’ve added to yours. I’m definitely doing that. :)

  4. Karen, you just make me laugh! What a great way to start my day! You have such a gift for taking every day occurrences (who knew going to McDonalds with kids was funny?) into smiles and outright belly laughs! LOL! I do it everytime I read your blog!

    The recipes are a big bonus too.

    You da best!

  5. I can’t remember the first time I had it, but it was a game changer. and YES i’ll take bread for dinner pretty much any day of the week

  6. This looks amazing! I looooove bread at restaurants and I always treat it as my first free meal haha :) I laughed at “This is just America at it’s finest: “Let’s take this super filling bread and dip it in oil. That will make us so hungry for our dinner!”” << soooo true :) Pinning!

  7. i can just picture a dinner party, lots of food, and wine, and everyone gathered around this dip + bread combo. i’m sure the kitchen smells amazing when the oil is infusing too. thanks for sharing the recipe!

  8. This olive oil dip sounds amazing – I so have to try this – and I’ve gotta try dipping fries in honey the next time I make some potato wedges!!

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