Garlic infused olive oil is one of the easiest ways to elevate everyday cooking. With just a few simple ingredients, you can create a fragrant finishing oil that adds rich flavor to pasta, roasted vegetables, grilled meats, and crusty bread.
Fresh garlic, rosemary, and thyme gently infuse extra virgin olive oil, creating a simple but incredibly versatile kitchen staple. I love keeping a jar of this in the refrigerator for quick weeknight dinners - it instantly makes even simple dishes feel a little more special.
As a cookbook author and professional recipe developer, I'm always looking for easy ways to add big flavor with minimal effort, and infused oils like this are one of my favorite tricks.
This is is one of the easiest ways to elevate everyday cooking. With just a few simple ingredients, you can create a fragrant finishing oil that adds rich flavor to pasta, roasted vegetables, grilled meats, and crusty bread.
I especially love drizzling it over dishes like Lemon Ricotta Pasta, Creamy Mushroom Alfredo, or even simple pasta recipes like Penne Pomodoro.
Jump to:
- Why You'll Love This Garlic Infused Olive Oil
- Ingredients
- How to Make Garlic Infused Olive Oil
- What Is Garlic Infused Olive Oil Used For?
- Recipes That Pair Well With Garlic Infused Olive Oil
- What Olive Oil Is Best for Infusing?
- Flavor Variations
- Tina's Tips for the Best Infused Oil
- Restaurant-Style Bread Dipping Oil
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Storage
- What to Serve With
- Garlic Infused Olive Oil
Why You'll Love This Garlic Infused Olive Oil
- Incredibly simple. This recipe uses just a few ingredients and comes together in under an hour.
- Adds instant flavor. A drizzle of garlic oil can transform pasta, vegetables, bread, and grilled proteins.
- Versatile. Use it as a finishing oil, dipping oil, or base for marinades and salad dressings.
- Perfect for entertaining. Serve it with crusty bread and it feels like something you'd get at a great Italian restaurant.
Ingredients
Here are the ingredients you'll need for this recipe:
- Extra Virgin Olive Oil: Extra virgin olive oil is the base of this recipe, so using a high-quality oil will make a big difference in the final flavor. Look for an olive oil that is fruity and slightly peppery, which pairs beautifully with garlic and fresh herbs.
- Garlic: Fresh garlic gives this oil its signature savory flavor. Lightly crushing the garlic cloves helps release their natural oils so they infuse the olive oil more effectively.
- Fresh Rosemary: Rosemary adds a slightly piney, aromatic flavor that pairs beautifully with garlic and olive oil. Since rosemary is a strong herb, just a couple of sprigs provide plenty of flavor.
- Fresh Thyme: Thyme brings a light, earthy flavor that complements the rosemary and garlic. It adds depth while keeping the infused oil balanced.
- Sea Salt: A small pinch of sea salt enhances the flavors of the garlic and herbs and helps bring the oil together.
- Lemon Peel (Optional): A strip of lemon peel adds a subtle citrus aroma that brightens the oil. Lemon peel infuses the oil with a light citrus note without causing separation like lemon juice can.
See recipe card below for quantities.
How to Make Garlic Infused Olive Oil
Warm the Oil
Add the olive oil to a small saucepan over very low heat. Heat until the oil is warm but not simmering.
Add the Aromatics
Lightly crush the garlic cloves and gently rub the rosemary and thyme between your hands to release their oils. Add the garlic, herbs, sea salt, and optional lemon peel to the oil.
Infuse and Rest
Let the oil infuse over very low heat for about 15 minutes, keeping the oil warm but not bubbling. Remove from heat and allow the oil to sit for 30 minutes so the flavors continue to develop.
Strain and Serve
Strain out the garlic, herbs, and lemon peel. Transfer the infused oil to a mason jar or airtight container and refrigerate for up to 1 week.
What Is Garlic Infused Olive Oil Used For?
Garlic infused olive oil is extremely versatile and can be used in many ways in everyday cooking.
Some of my favorite ways to use it include:
- Drizzling over pasta or pizza
- Tossing with roasted vegetables
- Brushing onto grilled chicken or seafood
- Finishing soups or grain bowls
- Dipping crusty bread
It's also a great base for homemade vinaigrettes or marinades.
Recipes That Pair Well With Garlic Infused Olive Oil
This garlic infused olive oil is perfect for finishing simple dishes. Try drizzling it over some of my favorite recipes:
- Roasted Tomatoes and Burrata
- Copycat Carbone Spicy Rigatoni
- Chicken Limone
- Burrata Caprese Salad
These recipes are simple, flavorful, and perfect for weeknight cooking.
What Olive Oil Is Best for Infusing?
The best olive oil for infused oils is high-quality extra virgin olive oil. Since olive oil is the base of the recipe, choosing a flavorful oil will make a big difference.
Look for olive oils labeled:
- Extra virgin olive oil
- Cold pressed
- Single origin or high-quality blend
A fruity or slightly peppery olive oil works especially well for garlic infused oils.
Flavor Variations
Once you learn how easy infused oils are, it's fun to experiment with different flavors. Try adding:
- Red pepper flakes: Adds a little heat and creates a spicy garlic oil.
- Sage: Perfect for fall dishes like roasted squash or pasta.
- Orange peel: A subtle citrus twist that pairs beautifully with seafood.
- Oregano or basil: For a stronger Mediterranean herb flavor.
Tina's Tips for the Best Infused Oil
- Use high-quality olive oil. Since olive oil is the main ingredient, a good extra virgin olive oil will make a big difference in flavor.
- Keep the heat low. The goal is to gently infuse the oil, not cook the garlic or herbs.
- Bruise the herbs first. Rubbing the herbs between your hands helps release their natural oils.
- Strain before storing. Removing the garlic and herbs prevents bitterness and keeps the flavor clean.
Restaurant-Style Bread Dipping Oil
For a quick appetizer, pour some garlic infused olive oil into a shallow dish and top with:
- flaky sea salt
- cracked black pepper
- red pepper flakes
- grated parmesan cheese
Serve with warm crusty bread for an easy Italian-inspired starter.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. Garlic infused olive oil is easy to make at home with just olive oil, garlic, and fresh herbs. Gently warming the ingredients allows the garlic and herbs to release their natural flavors into the oil.
Yes. If using dried herbs, use about ½ teaspoon of each dried rosemary and thyme instead of fresh sprigs.
Straining the garlic and herbs prevents bitterness and helps maintain a balanced flavor while the oil is stored.
Storage
- Because this oil contains fresh garlic, it should be stored in the refrigerator.
- After infusing the oil, strain out the garlic and herbs before storing. Keep the oil in an airtight container in the refrigerator and use within 1 week.
- The oil may become slightly cloudy in the refrigerator, which is completely normal. It will return to a clear liquid once it comes to room temperature.
What to Serve With
Garlic Infused Olive Oil
Ingredients
- 1 ½ cups high-quality extra virgin olive oil
- 2 garlic cloves lightly crushed
- 1 small sprig fresh rosemary or 2-3 sprigs fresh thyme
- Pinch of sea salt
- Optional: 1 strip lemon peel
Instructions
- Warm the oil. Add the olive oil to a small saucepan over very low heat. Heat until the oil is warm but not simmering.
- Add the aromatics. Lightly crush the garlic cloves and gently rub the rosemary and thyme between your hands to release their oils. Add the garlic, herbs, sea salt, and optional lemon peel to the oil.
- Infuse. Let the oil infuse over very low heat for about 15 minutes, keeping the oil warm but not bubbling.
- Rest. Remove from heat and allow the oil to sit for 30 minutes so the flavors continue to develop.
- Strain and store. Strain out the garlic, herbs, and lemon peel. Transfer the infused oil to a mason jar or airtight container and refrigerate for up to 1 week.
Did You Make This Recipe?
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