10 Ways To Enjoy Your Palestinian Extra Virgin Olive Oil

The Golden Legacy: Why Palestinian Olive Oil Matters

Palestinian olive oil is so much more than something you cook with — it’s heritage, resilience, and a deep-rooted relationship with the land. Grown on terraced hillsides, rain-fed, and hand-harvested by families who have cared for the same trees for generations, this extra-virgin olive oil carries a bold, peppery flavor and a cultural story in every drop.

At Handmade Palestine, supporting olive growers means preserving this legacy, championing fair trade, and sharing the vibrant flavor of Palestinian olives with kitchens around the world.

10 Ways to Enjoy Palestinian Olive Oil

Here are ten delicious, authentic ways to enjoy Palestinian olive oil — from simple breakfasts to hearty dinners, all rooted in Palestinian culinary tradition.

1. With Za’atar
   The classic Palestinian breakfast: dip warm flatbread into olive oil, then za’atar (a thyme-sumac-sesame spice blend). The peppery richness of the oil perfectly complements the earthy, herby za’atar. Our Palestinian Kitchen Subscription Box offers za'atar among other spices. 
2. Drizzled Over Hummus
   Use high-quality olive oil to finish off your hummus — swirl it on top just before serving. Fufu’s Kitchen’s Easy Authentic Hummus recipe is a perfect example.  
3. On Labneh Dip
   Try the Easy Labneh Dip from Fufu’s Kitchen: creamy labneh, garlic, walnuts, dill — and a generous drizzle of olive oil to tie it all together.  
4. In Musakhan
   This iconic Palestinian dish features sumac-spiced caramelized onions sautéed in olive oil, roasted chicken, and taboon bread. Almond & Fig’s blog beautifully describes how the freshly pressed olive oil elevates this dish.  
5. In Maftoul Salad
   Almond & Fig offers a Maftoul Fall Salad with Sumac Dressing that uses olive oil in the dressing as a central flavor.  
6. Braised Green Beans (“Loubia bi Zeit”)
   This humble one-pot dish (wide green beans cooked in tomato sauce) from Almond & Fig is made with olive oil, garlic, onions — and finished with more oil to mop up with bread.  
7. In Herb Ijeh (Palestinian Herb Frittata)
   A simple yet flavorful frittata loaded with parsley, mint, onions, and lightly fried in olive oil. Almond & Fig’s “Palestinian Herb Ijeh” is nostalgic, fragrant, and deeply rooted in tradition.  
8. Zucchini Mutabal (Mutabal Kousa)
   Almond & Fig’s Mutabal Kousa recipe blends roasted zucchini, yogurt, garlic, mint — and olive oil, both mixed in and drizzled on top.  
9. Roasted Cauliflower Salad
   Fufu’s Kitchen’s Vibrant Roasted Cauliflower Salad uses olive oil in both roasting and a final garlic-pepper oil drizzle. The olive oil brings out layers of flavor and adds richness.  
10. Baba Ghanoush (Smoky Eggplant Dip)
    The roasted eggplant in Fufu’s Baba Ghanoush is complemented by a drizzle of olive oil on the finished dip, along with parsley and smoked paprika.  

Bonus Idea: Dessert with Olive Oil

While olive oil is often thought of for savory dishes, it also shines in desserts. For example, Almond & Citrus Olive Oil Cake (from Zaytoun’s recipe collection) marries fair-trade olive oil with citrus and almonds, creating a moist, aromatic cake. 

Why It Matters

• Cultural heritage: Olive oil is woven into Palestinian culinary tradition — it’s present in breakfasts, feasts, and daily meals.  
• Sustainable farming: Many olive growers in Palestine practice small-scale, traditional farming, preserving land, biodiversity, and livelihoods.  
• Health benefits: Extra-virgin olive oil is rich in antioxidants and healthy fats — a staple of the Mediterranean diet.
• Meaningful impact: Buying Palestinian olive oil supports farmers directly, helping to sustain communities rooted in generations of olive-growing.

Try It Yourself

• Start simple: Buy a high-quality Palestinian olive oil such as ours, and try it with za’atar and warm bread first. 
• Explore recipes: Use the links above to explore traditional recipes from bloggers who celebrate Palestinian heritage.
• Share and celebrate: Bring olive oil–rich dishes to meals with family and friends, and tell the story behind the oil.

Shop our Organic Palestinian Extra Virgin Olive Oil here to enjoy these recipes and more. 

Palestinian olive oil isn’t just a kitchen staple — it’s a living link to history, land, and culture. At Handmade Palestine, every bottle helps keep that legacy alive.