How to use Olive Oil in Arabic Cuisine: Traditional dishes and recipes

Olive oil has been an essential part of Arabic cuisine for centuries, used for its distinct flavor and ability to enhance traditional dishes. In the UAE, where food is deeply tied to culture and heritage, olive oil remains a fundamental component in both home cooking and restaurant dining.

Olive Oil in traditional Arabic dishes

Arabic cuisine is known for its rich flavors, aromatic spices, and diverse use of ingredients. Olive oil is a crucial element in many classic dishes, providing depth and authenticity to recipes passed down through generations.

Popular Arabic dishes made with olive oil

Hummus

Hummus is a staple in Arabic cuisine, made from blended chickpeas, tahini, lemon juice, and garlic. A generous drizzle of extra virgin olive oil on top enhances its creamy texture and brings out the nutty, tangy flavors.

Hummus ingredients

• 400 g of cooked chickpeas
• 70 g of extra virgin olive oil
• 60 g of toasted sesame seeds
• 50 ml of water
• 1 garlic clove
• 5 g of salt
• 30 g of lemon juice
• 5 g of ground cumin
• 100 g of natural yogurt (optional)

How to prepare Hummus

1. Rinse and drain the chickpeas.
2. Blend chickpeas, garlic, sesame seeds, cumin, salt, lemon juice, and water.
3. Process until smooth, then add olive oil and mix well.
4. Adjust the consistency with water or oil if needed.
5. Serve with a drizzle of olive oil and garnish with paprika or sesame seeds.

Hummus Arabic Cuisine

Baba Ghanoush

Baba Ghanoush is a smoky eggplant dip, mashed with tahini, lemon juice, and garlic, finished with olive oil for richness.

Baba Ghanoush ingredients

• 1 large eggplant
• 1 garlic clove
• 2 g ground cumin
• 2 g paprika
• 2 g salt
• Black pepper to taste
• 10 g tahini
• 60 g extra virgin olive oil
• 10 ml lemon juice

How to prepare Baba Ghanoush

1. Cut the eggplant in half, salt it, and let it sit for 30 minutes.
2. Rinse, dry, and roast or microwave the eggplant until soft.
3. Scoop out the pulp and blend with garlic, cumin, paprika, salt, pepper, tahini, olive oil, and lemon juice.
4. Blend until smooth and serve with olive oil and pita bread.

Baba Ghanoush Arabic Cuisine

Manakish

Manakish is a Levantine flatbread brushed with a blend of za’atar and olive oil before baking.

Manakish ingredients

• 500 g wheat flour
• 1 tsp salt
• 1 tsp sugar
• 2 tsp dry yeast
• 300 ml warm water
• 2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
• 4 tbsp za’atar
• 4 tbsp extra virgin olive oil (for topping)

How to repare Manakish

1. Mix flour, salt, sugar, and yeast. Add water and oil.
2. Knead until smooth and let it rise for 1 hour.
3. Preheat oven to 220°C.
4. Divide dough into rounds, flatten, and spread za’atar mixed with olive oil on top.
5. Bake for 10-12 minutes.

Manakish Arabic Cuisine

Fattoush

A vibrant salad made with crispy pita, fresh vegetables, and a dressing of olive oil, sumac, and pomegranate molasses.

Fattoush ingredients

• 2 pita breads, toasted
• 1 cucumber, chopped
• 1 tomato, diced
• ½ red onion, sliced
• ½ cup parsley, chopped
• ¼ cup mint leaves
• 3 tbsp pomegranate molasses
• 4 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
• 1 tsp sumac
• Salt and pepper to taste

How to prepare Fattoush

1. Chop vegetables and place them in a bowl.
2. Mix olive oil, sumac, pomegranate molasses, salt, and pepper for the dressing.
3. Toss vegetables with dressing and top with crispy pita pieces.

Fattoush Arabic Cuisine

Maklouba

Maklouba, or upside-down rice, is a layered dish with eggplant, meat, and fragrant spices.

Maklouba ingredients

• 2 cups basmati rice
• 1 large eggplant, sliced
• 500 g chicken or lamb
• 1 onion, chopped
• 3 cups chicken broth
• 2 tsp ground cinnamon
• 1 tsp ground allspice
• ½ cup extra virgin olive oil

How to prepare Maklouba

1. Fry eggplant slices in olive oil.
2. Brown meat and onions with spices.
3. Layer eggplant, meat, and rice in a pot. Add broth and cook covered until rice is tender.
4. Flip the pot onto a plate before serving.

Maklouba Arabic Cuisine

Muhammara

A rich dip made from roasted red peppers, walnuts, and pomegranate molasses, blended with olive oil.

Muhammara ingredients

• 3 roasted red peppers
• ½ cup walnuts
• 2 tbsp pomegranate molasses
• 3 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
• 1 tsp ground cumin
• Salt to taste

How to prepare Muhammara

1. Blend all ingredients until smooth.
2. Drizzle with olive oil before serving.

Muhammara Arabic Cuisine

Falafel

Falafel is made from ground chickpeas or fava beans, spiced and deep-fried.

Falafel ingredients

• 2 cups dried chickpeas
• ½ cup parsley
• ½ cup cilantro
• 1 tsp cumin
• 1 tsp coriander
• 3 garlic cloves
• 1 onion
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 4 tbsp extra virgin olive oil

How to prepare Falafel

1. Soak chickpeas overnight, drain, and blend with herbs, garlic, onion, and spices.
2. Form into balls and pan-fry with olive oil or deep-fry.

Falafel Arabic Cuisine

Baklava

Baklava can be made with olive oil for a lighter texture.

Baklava ingredients

• 1 pack phyllo dough
• 2 cups mixed nuts, chopped
• ½ cup sugar
• 1 tsp cinnamon
• ½ cup extra virgin olive oil
• 1 cup honey

Baklava Arabic Cuisine

How to prepare Baklava

1. Layer phyllo sheets, brushing each with olive oil.
2. Add nut mixture and repeat layers.
3. Bake at 180°C for 30 minutes.
4. Pour honey over the top before serving.

How to use olive oil in Arabic cuisine

Beyond specific dishes, olive oil is widely used for marinating meats, dressing salads, and finishing dips. It is also essential for frying, roasting, and baking, as it complements the bold spices and fresh ingredients characteristic of Arabic cuisine.

Choosing the Right Olive Oil

For Arabic cuisine, extra virgin olive oil is the preferred choice due to its bold flavor and nutritional benefits. Cold-pressed varieties retain the most aroma and taste, making them ideal for drizzling over salads and dips.

Where to buy high-quality olive oil in UAE

For those looking to buy the best olive oil in UAE, visit our online store. We offer a carefully curated selection of high-quality olive oils sourced from top producers. Whether you’re using it for traditional Arabic cooking or modern dishes, our premium olive oils ensure an authentic and flavorful experience.