Creamy whipped labneh dip, topped with a warm olive oil sauce, plump cherry tomatoes and delicious, briny Pearls Olives. This crowd pleaser takes 10 minutes or less to make, but it will go even faster!

This post is sponsored by Pearls Olives. All opinions are my own.

whipped labneh dip in a blue bowl topped with warmed olives and tomatoes in olive oil, garnished with parsley

Mediterranean whipped labneh dip, the new favorite party dip!

If you’re looking for another quick, no-stress appetizer or party dip, that will wow everyone’s tastebuds like my baked brie with jam, you’ve come to the right place!

Homemade labneh is whipped to fluffy perfection with zesty lemon, then topped with a warm, garlicky, somewhat spicy olive oil sauce with tomatoes and two kinds of my favorite Pearls Specialties Olives (crunchy garlic-stuffed green queen olives and Greek Kalamata olives).

I was first turned on to the idea of warmed olives at a local Italian pizzeria where they serve woodfire-baked olives as an appetizer. Brilliant on their own, but even better when I tried them on top of labneh (or a very thick and creamy Greek yogurt of your choice).

This festive, next level labneh dip takes less than 10 minutes to put together, but let me tell you, it will be devoured even faster! 

whipped labneh dip in a bowl topped with warmed olives and tomatoes in olive oil, garnished with parsley. situated next to two jars of pearls olives

You all know I’m obsessed with homemade labneh, which really takes only two ingredients to make: yogurt and salt. But if you want to try this recipe with store-bought labneh or even a quality really thick Greek yogurt it will work! The topping is what makes it extra special.

Pearls Olives over labneh!

For this labneh dip recipe, I reached for my stash of Specialties Pearls Olives. I love Pearls Olives because they’re always so flavorful and firm. I wanted two different flavors in this recipe, so I used both the garlic hand-stuffed Queen olives, and pitted Kalamata Greek olives. The Queen olives are firm and crunchy, and the addition of garlic cloves means they’re simply bursting with flavor. Pearls Specialties Kalamata Greek olives are buttery and have a wine-like, fruity flavor.

Combined with the creamy whipped labneh, the warmed olive oil with olives, tomatoes, and a dash of za’atar add depth of flavor and a beautiful festive look with very little effort. And if you love this recipe, try my other version with Roasted Beets.

whipped labneh dip in a bowl topped with warmed olives and tomatoes in olive oil, garnished with parsley. another bowl of warmed olives and tomatoes in the background

Ingredients you’ll need to make this homemade dip

  • Labneh, homemade or store-bought
  • Lemon zest
  • Extra virgin olive oil
  • Fresh garlic
  • Fresh thyme
  • Cherry tomatoes
  • Za’atar
  • Crushed red pepper flakes
  • Pearls Olives (I used Specialties Garlic Stuffed and Kalamata, but feel free to use whatever olives you have on hand)
  • Fresh parsley, for garnish

How to make this whipped labneh dip with tomatoes and olives

This simple labneh dip takes three key steps to make:

  • Whip the labneh. Combine 2 cups of labneh with zest of one lemon and season with kosher salt. Whisk gently and drizzle just a little bit of olive oil until as you whisk until the labneh is creamy and fluffy.

    plain whipped labneh
  • Make the warmed olive oil, tomatoes, and olive sauce. In a skillet, warm about 1/3 cup of good extra virgin olive oil. Add some sliced garlic and fresh thyme and cook briefly over medium-low heat. (Garlic should be just golden). Remove the garlic and discard. Then, turn up the heat to medium and add the tomatoes and a good pinch of za’atar and red pepper flakes. Add the Pearls Specialties Olives (the garlic hand-stuffed queen olives and the Greek kalamata olives) and cook briefly until the olives are warm.

    olives and cherry tomatoes in a skillet with olive oil and spices
  • Assemble the labneh dip. Spoon the whipped labneh into a serving bowl and top with the warmed olive oil, tomatoes, and olives. Garnish with a sprinkle of parsley and more fresh thyme. Serve with your favorite crackers of pita chips!

Labneh vs. Greek yogurt

Homemade labneh is yogurt cheese that can be made ahead of time by straining plain whole milk yogurt until thick and creamy. If Greek yogurt is strained yogurt, then labneh is extra strained yogurt, if that makes sense.

Like I mentioned earlier, you can make this dip with quality, very thick Greek yogurt. Using Greek yogurt as a substitute for labneh in this recipe will have a different consistency, but the idea will still work.

whipped labneh dip in a bowl topped with warmed olives and tomatoes in olive oil, garnished with parsley. Crackers in the background

Leftovers and storage

Once dressed in the warmed olive oil sauce, this whipped labneh is best enjoyed immediately, but leftovers will keep in an airtight container for two to three days (vs. plain homemade labneh, which can be stored in the fridge for a couple of weeks).

More Mediterranean dips and sauces to try:

Hungry for more? Here are all our Mediterranean Recipes!

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4.80 from 5 votes

Whipped Labneh Dip Recipe

Suzy Karadsheh
whipped labneh dip in a blue bowl topped with warmed olives and tomatoes in olive oil, garnished with parsley
Creamy whipped labneh dip is a special appetizer that takes plain labneh to new heights. Dressed with a warm olive oil sauce with plump cherry tomatoes and Pearls Olives, this tangy dip is ready in just 10 minutes!
Prep – 10 minutes
Cuisine:
Mediterranean
Serves – 6 people
Course:
Appetizer, Dip

Ingredients
  

  • 2 cups labneh, homemade or store-bought
  • zest of one lemon
  • Kosher salt
  • Extra virgin olive oil
  • 1 clove garlic
  • 2 to 3 sprigs fresh thyme
  • 1 cup cherry tomatoes
  • 1 tsp Za’atar
  • Crushed red pepper flakes
  • 1/2 Cup Pearls Specialties Olives, I used Garlic Stuffed and Kalamata olives
  • Fresh parsley, for garnish

Instructions
 

  • In a mixing bowl, combine the labneh and lemon zest. Season with a large pinch of kosher salt. Whisk gently, and as you do so, slowly, drizzle extra virgin olive oil (about 1 tablespoon). (The labneh mixture should be creamy and fluffy). Set aside or refrigerate for later.
  • In a small skillet, warm 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil over medium-low heat. Add the garlic and thyme sprigs. Cook for a brief minute, watching the garlic to turn just golden. Remove the garlic.
  • To the warmed oil, add the tomatoes to the skillet. Turn the heat to medium, watching for the tomatoes to burst a little as they cook. Season with za’atar and crushed red pepper flakes. Add the Pearls Specialties Olives and cook for 30 seconds or until warmed through.
  • Assemble the dip. Spread the whipped labneh in the bottom of a serving bowl. Top with the warmed olive oil, tomatoes, and olives. Finish with a sprinkle of parsley and more fresh thyme, if you like.
  • Serve with pita chips or your favorite crackers.

Video

Notes

  • For best results, start with homemade labneh. Labneh can be stored in the fridge for up to 2 weeks. Quality store-bought labneh is okay to use also. 
  • Labneh substitute. If you don’t have labneh, you can also try a thick whole milk Greek yogurt instead.
  • Leftovers will keep once dressed with the spicy olive oil sauce with tomatoes and olives, this labneh dip is best enjoyed immediately. Leftovers will keep for 3 days or so in the fridge.  
  • Visit Our Shop for quality Mediterranean ingredients including extra virgin olive oils and spices.

Nutrition

Calories: 61.7kcalCarbohydrates: 4.2gProtein: 7.2gFat: 2gSaturated Fat: 0.3gMonounsaturated Fat: 1.3gCholesterol: 3.3mgSodium: 202mgPotassium: 158.3mgFiber: 0.7gVitamin A: 190.5IUVitamin C: 6.4mgCalcium: 87.3mgIron: 0.5mg
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4.80 from 5 votes (2 ratings without comment)

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Comments

  1. jayce says:

    4 stars
    I tried this with a labneh cream cheese since I didn’t want to make the labneh. Was really good. But I am wondering how close it would be to what you made?

    1. TMD Team says:

      Hi, Jayce. It sounds like it’s probably the same :).

  2. Anne Trimble says:

    I went in your site to order oils and spices only to find out there is no option to deliver to Canada. I was so disappointed. We love you in Canada why do you not deliver to Canada.

    Thanks
    Anne Trimble

    1. TMD Team says:

      I’m so sorry, Anne. We would really like to, and are hoping to in the future. We just haven’t found a way that is both efficient and economical yet.

  3. Kate says:

    5 stars
    What a great appetizer! We really enjoyed it! Thanks, Suzy!

  4. Mia says:

    5 stars
    Officially adding warmed olives to everything I cook going forward. They taste SO GOOD!

    1. Suzy says:

      Thanks, Mia!