60+ Olive Oil Recipes • For Flavor & Health!

60+ delicious reasons to toss that bottle of EVOO into your cart. Without olive oil my kitchen virtually shuts down!

Olive oil in my kitchen

Olive oil features in hundreds upon hundreds of my recipes, both sweet and savory. But I’ve plucked out some seasonal favorites that would literally not exist but for the heart healthy liquid gold that is olive oil. I could have grouped them according to type, but I think it’s more fun to scroll and discover them randomly.

Salads: the number one way most of us get our olive oil. The flavor really shines here.
Sautéing: I keep my olive oil right by the stove and use it whenever I’m sautéing veggies or browning meats.
Frying: yes, you can fry with olive oil, olive oil is best suited for medium-heat frying like shallow pan frying. Despite its lower smoke point, olive oil remains stable at typical frying temperatures and retains its health benefits, including antioxidants and healthy fats.
Baking: substitute olive oil for other vegetable oils or melted butter in baking recipes ~ you’ll be amazed at the results!
Drizzling: adding EVOO as a finishing touch to dishes of all kinds is a great way to get your daily dose. Drizzle over veggies like potatoes or carrots, eggs, baked fish, pasta, soups, breads, etc.

goat cheese slices marinating in oil and herbs

Olive oil, particularly extra virgin olive oil, is renowned for its health benefits. Of course no one is suggesting you chug large amounts of olive oil every day, but slowly changing your cooking habits to incorporate olive oil in place of other oils or fats can make a real difference.

Here are some confirmed health benefits of olive oil*

Heart Health: Olive oil is full of good fats that can lower bad cholesterol, helping to protect your heart and reduce the risk of heart disease.
Fights Inflammation: Olive oil has natural antioxidants, like oleocanthal, that help fight inflammation, which might lower the risk of long-term health issues.
Lowers Blood Pressure: Regularly using olive oil can help bring down blood pressure, which is great for keeping your heart healthy.
Reduces Stroke Risk: The healthy fats in olive oil may help lower the chances of having a stroke.
Helps Control Blood Sugar: Olive oil can help keep blood sugar levels steady, which is especially helpful for people with type 2 diabetes.
Packed with Antioxidants: Olive oil is rich in vitamin E and other antioxidants that protect your cells from damage.
Aids Digestion: Olive oil supports a healthy gut by promoting good bacteria and easing digestive issues.
Good for Your Skin: The antioxidants and healthy fats in olive oil can help keep your skin hydrated and reduce signs of aging.

Olive oil chocolate chunk cookies on a marble surface.

ok so which olive oil to buy?

A great olive oil is utterly delicious. Make it a habit to taste each of the olive oils that you buy to find the one you really love. They can be peppery or fruity, often with notes of citrus or herbs. They can be mellow or quite pungent. I make it a habit to buy different brands of imported olive oil, just to keep it interesting in my kitchen.

I recommend extra virgin olive oils, and I look for cold-pressed imported oil from countries with a long tradition of olive oil production, such as Italy, Spain, and Greece. Here are some of the top-rated olive oil brands:

Colavita Extra Virgin Olive Oil (Italy)
California Olive Ranch Extra Virgin Olive Oil (USA)
Lucini Italia Premium Select Extra Virgin Olive Oil (Italy)
Kirkland Signature Organic Extra Virgin Olive Oil (Italy/Spain)

on to the olive oil recipes!

Chocolate Olive Oil Cake

4.78 from 22 votes

A deliciously easy gluten free chocolate cake made with olive oil instead of butter.

Olive oil in my kitchen

Here are some confirmed health benefits of olive oil*

ok so which olive oil to buy?

on to the olive oil recipes!

You Might Also Like...

Leave a Review! Cancel Reply