Olive Oil 2.0
If you want to instantly upgrade any meal, shake things up on that “meh” bottle of olive oil in your pantry, or give the BEST Christmas gifts to the foodies and home chefs in your life, you need to try infused olive oil. No matter what we’re cooking, we’re all after the same thing: flavor! And we all have our favorite methods of seasoning dishes, whether it be spices, fresh herbs, extra ingredients, or pounds of garlic (I don’t judge—garlic rocks). But there is one simple way to add flavor that is often overlooked: olive oil! Since olive oil is so versatile (for real, you can use it in almost any recipe), we’re covering how to infuse it in 5 different ways! These simple ingredient additions seriously elevate the flavor, all with a quick 20-minute cooking method. Let’s infuse!
Here’s What You’ll Need
Depending on the type of infused olive oil you’re after, grab these add-ins:
Italian: To make Italian infused olive oil, we’ll add basil, garlic powder, thyme, oregano, rosemary, and crushed red pepper. Tomato And Basil: This flavor requires only two ingredients: sundried tomatoes and basil! I used Mezzetta Sun-Ripened Dried Tomatoes, but any type will work. Garlic: We won’t be using fresh garlic since it can develop an odorless and tasteless botulism bacteria in an anaerobic (oil) state. Instead, we’ll use 2 tablespoons of powder, adding a delicious amount of flavor and avoiding any risk. Lemon Thyme: We’ll use a combination of a lemon peel and 2 tablespoons of thyme for just the right amount of flavor. Chili: This flavor requires just 2 tablespoons of crushed red pepper.
Making Infused Olive Oil Is So Simple
Infused olive oil requires a saucepan, flavor ingredients, and some time on the stove. Heating the ingredients with the oil allows those flavorings to seep in.
Italian Pairings
Italian olive oil makes the perfect dip for thick, hearty bread (similar to this restaurant-style olive oil bread dip!). It’s also great for adding flavor to pasta, an oil and vinegar salad dressing, or sautéed vegetables.
Tomato And Basil Pairings
Like the Italian oil, this sundried tomato and basil rendition makes a great salad dressing on this Mediterranean quinoa salad. It’s also perfect with Mediterranean dishes like avocado bruschetta or hummus dip.
Garlic Pairings
Enjoy garlic infused olive oil on all of your favorite dishes like pasta, slow cooker carrots, stuffed avocados, or this grilled zucchini number! You can also drizzle it over fried eggs or steamed veggies. And like Italian olive oil, it makes a great oil for dipping your favorite bread.
Lemon Thyme Pairings
One of the best ways to use lemon thyme infused olive oil is in Caesar salad! Classic recipes call for lemon juice and olive oil, so using this lemon thyme oil is the perfect way to supplement the flavor! You can also use this infusion in a grilled romaine salad, lemon basil risotto, or berry salad.
Chili Pairings
Chili infused olive oil is delicious as a butter substitute to roast or broil vegetables like asparagus or broccoli. It can be drizzled over eggs, added to pasta, or even tossed with kernels to make hot popcorn. One of my favorite ways to use it is drizzled over a raw salad! Nothing pairs better than cold, refreshing veggies and a bit of a bite.
Recipe Tips
Use Quality Herbs: For the best flavor, use recently dried herbs. Avoid using dried herbs that have been in your pantry for 7 years (you know the ones). Over time, they lose flavor and take on a musty flavor! Dry Your Bottles: Be sure the bottles are completely dry before transferring the infused olive oil in (water will make the oil go rancid more quickly). Decorate The Bottles: Optionally, decorate the bottle with a sprig of a clean, dry, fresh herb. It’s best to let the herb hang for 24 hours to dry it out slightly. (For tips on drying herbs, check out our thyme 101 and rosemary 101 guides).
