How to Make Herb-Infused Olive Oil

Olive oil is an integral ingredient of many, many dishes. From tomato sauce to dressings, from being lightly drizzled on roasted vegetables to a dip for hard crusted bread. But the price tag of specialty olive oils such as herb infused olive oils is not cheap. Here is a way to make your own!

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Olive Oil
• Variety of Fresh Herbs
• Sterilized Bottles
• Cork or Rubber Top for Bottles
• Sauce Pan or Small Stock Pot

1. Choose your herbs and spices. This is the fun part as you can make many variations of herb-infused olive oil. Some suggestions for herbs and spices are rosemary, garlic, basil, bay, chives, dill, mint, marjoram, tarragon and thyme. Again try a few different combinations and make a few different bottles.

2. Wash and dry your herbs. After washing, leave your herbs out to dry. Slightly tear or bruise the herbs so that they begin to release their aroma and flavors.

3. Heat the oil. Over a low flame, heat the oil until it is warm. Not hot, simply warm. This can best be done in a small stock pot or sauce pan.

4. Stuff herbs into bottles. Place your chosen herbs and spices into the bottles. A little goes a very long way, so don't overdue it. There's no need to overly stuff each bottle.

5. Pour oil into bottles. Pour the warm oil into the bottles over the herbs and spices. Let the bottles sit for a while until cool.

6. Place cork or rubber top onto bottle. Then set the bottle in a cool dark place for about a week.

7. Strain out herbs. After a week, strain out the herbs and spices. If you use garlic, be sure to refrigerate the oil rather than store it in a cool dark place to avoid botulism. Again, this oil should continue to be store out of direct sunlight and in a cool dark place. Congratulations, you have just learned how to make your very own herb-infused olive oil!

Tips & Warnings

• Homemade infused oils will not keep as long as processed ones. Use your herb-infused olive oil within two months so it keeps from spoiling.

Who Can Help Sponsored

• How to Lose 30+lbs Guaranteed. Try it Free.

[heatherschulte]

on 11/2/2009 You should refrigerate any herb infused oil that you intend to eat.

[mfahrney]

on 1/22/2009 Great article...I leave all my herb oils in the frig..just in case. The longer you leave the herb in the oil, the stronger tasting it will become. (oil)

[gemmaclarke]

on 8/27/2008 can you leave the herbs in the bottle, like chillies, as this also looks good in the bottle, or do the herbs spoil if left in the bottle. thanks

[bultery]

on 3/17/2008 Is it JUST the garlic oil you must refrigerate? or ANY herb flavored oil you make?