Homemade Infused Olive Oil: Easy Recipes With Fresh & Dried Herbs

Infused olive oil is created by adding herbs and spices to pressed olive oil, enhancing its flavour over time.

The growing demand for infused olive oil is driven by increasing consumer interest in gourmet and health-focused products, innovations in flavours and packaging, and the positioning of infused olive oils as essential kitchen staples.

Infused olive oil is quite versatile, as it can be used for cooking, salads, marinades, dipping, and even as gifts.

What is Homemade Infused Olive Oil?

Infused olive oil is created by adding herbs and spices to it, enhancing dishes with marinades, flavour bases, and finishing touches.

It is ideal for bread dipping and enriching soups. Homemade infused olive oil offers benefits like custom flavours, superior quality, and health advantages over store-bought options.

Why Make DIY Infused Olive Oil?

DIY infused olive oils provide control over ingredients, use no preservatives or artificial additives, and are a cost-effective and customisable gift suggestion.

1. Control Over Ingredients

DIY-infused olive oil can be customised by selecting high-quality, organic olive oil and adding fresh/dried herbs, spices, or fruits, resulting in a healthier product that suits individual tastes without unwanted additives.

2. No Preservatives or Artificial Additives

Homemade infused olive oils, made with natural ingredients like herbs, garlic, or chilli flakes, avoid artificial additives and preservatives.

It uses dried herbs or vegetables to prevent harmful bacteria growth during preparation.

3. Cost-effective & Customisable Gifts

Homemade infused olive oil is a cost-effective, customisable alternative to store-bought options, allowing for personalised flavours to suit the recipient's preferences and budget, making it an ideal gift to express gratitude.

Homemade Infused Olive Oil Recipes

Now we are about to know three of the best homemade infused olive oil recipes, including making infused olive oil with fresh herbs and dried herbs, respectively.

How to Make Infused Olive Oil at Home

Here, we will learn how to make your own infused olive oil with lemons that offers comparable benefits.

It complements dishes like meat, fish, and salads effectively and can enhance sauces by adding a delightful zing.

Ingredients

• Extra Virgin Olive Oil: 1-2 cups
• 2 lemons

How to Make?

1. Use a sharp knife or peeler to remove the lemon peels. (The yellow portion, not the white pith beneath. Just the peel. No more or less.)
2. Now, plunge the peel into boiling water for a few minutes to eliminate any bitterness.
3. Now, put the peel in a glass jar and fill it with extra virgin olive oil.
4. Then, heat the jar in a bain-marie for 2 hours to allow the flavours to softly infiltrate.
5. Then, leave to cool and allow to rest for at least 24 hours.
6. The next day, filter the oil to remove any remaining peel.
7. Now, pour oil into a clean, dry bottle.
8. Finally, keep it in a cold, dark area to preserve all of its flavour.

How to Make Infused Olive Oil with Fresh Herbs

If you want to know how to make infused olive oil with fresh herbs, then follow this herb-infused olive oil recipe that includes both soft and woody herbs.

Ingredient

• Pure olive oil: 2 cups
• Fresh herbs with stems removed: 1 cup (soft herbs like basil, cilantro, and parsley)
• Or 2 cups (woody herbs like rosemary, winter savoury, and thyme)
• Fresh garlic (optional): 2-3 cloves
• 1-2 fresh chilli peppers (optional)

How to Make?

1. Blend the herb leaves and oil until perfectly smooth.
2. Pour the mixture into a medium saucepan.
3. Now add garlic and chilli peppers into the mixture.
4. Now bring the mixture to a simmer over medium heat for 45 seconds.
5. Now, strain the mixture into a basin using a fine-mesh strainer or chinois, without pressing down on it.
6. Strain the mixture through a paper coffee filter into a medium-sized bowl.
7. Allow the filtered oil to settle for a few hours before pouring off any dark liquid at the bottom of the bowl.
8. Finally, refrigerate the infused oil in an airtight container and use it within a week.

Tips - When dealing with fresh herbs, you must exercise caution regarding moisture and germs.

How to Make Infused Olive Oil with Dried Herbs

Now, we will learn how to make infused olive oil with dried herbs using two techniques: the stovetop method and the cold infusion.

Ingredient

• Extra virgin olive oil: 1 cup
• Dried herbs (rosemary, basil, thyme, etc.): 2-3 tablespoons
• Spices (dried garlic flakes, dried chilli, or peppercorns): 1 teaspoon (optional)

How to Make? (Cold Infusion)

1. Add the dried herbs and spices to a dry glass jar, filling it approximately halfway, then cover the herbs completely with olive oil.
2. To infuse, cover the jar securely and keep it somewhere dark and cool for two to six weeks.
3. To keep the herbs immersed in the oil, gently shake the jar every few days.
4. Once the flavour you want is attained, squeeze the herbs to remove all the liquid from the oil by straining it through cheesecloth or a fine-mesh strainer.
5. Finally, place the infused oil in a sterile bottle and keep it refrigerated.

How to Make? (Stovetop Method)

1. Over a stovetop, put the olive oil, dried herbs, and spices in a heavy-bottomed saucepan.
2. Heat the mixture over medium-low heat until it reaches 180°F (82°C).
3. Take the saucepan off the burner and let the mixture cool.
4. Pour the oil into a clean bottle after straining it through a fine-mesh strainer.
5. To avoid spoiling, keep in the refrigerator and use within a week.

How Long Does Homemade Infused Olive Oil Last?

Do you know how long homemade infused olive oil lasts? The shelf life of homemade infused olive oil varies depending on whether you use fresh or dried herbs.

In general, fresh herb-infused oil can last 1-2 weeks when refrigerated, and dried herb-infused oil can last 1-2 months when stored in a cool, dark spot.

If the infused olive oil smells or tastes rotten, or if mould or bacterial growth is visible, discard it. It is critical to routinely inspect the oil for symptoms of deterioration.

Tips For Storing And Using Infused Olive Oil

• Use the highest quality storage containers, such as disinfected glass bottles and dark bottles.
• Keep the infused oil out of direct sunshine and heat.
• Use the infused oil in salad dressings, marinades, and bread dips, and to drizzle over pasta.

Safety Considerations When Making Your Own Infused Olive Oil

Now, you would probably know how to make infused olive oil, but safety considerations are also vital.

To prevent botulism in homemade garlic or herb-infused oils, refrigerate and consume within 4-7 days or freeze for longer storage, as the oil's low-acid environment can promote bacterial growth.

Unlike commercial oils, which are acidified and contain inhibitors, homemade varieties lack these safety measures and are unsafe at room temperature.

Protect oils from heat and light, with dark bottles recommended for storing. Ensure containers are clean and food-safe for optimal quality preservation.

Conclusion

DIY infused olive oils offer ingredient customisation, enabling the avoidance of preservatives and artificial additives.

Made from quality olive oil mixed with herbs, spices, or fruits, they support healthier choices and serve as cost-effective, personalised gifts, reflecting the recipient's flavour preferences.

Try both fresh and dried herb versions of DIY infused olive oils, and experiment with different flavours.

So, start experimenting with your homemade infused olive oil today and enjoy fresh, restaurant-quality flavours at home!

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