The 5 Best Olive Oil: What I Use and Love
I always have a bottle of the best olive oil in my kitchen, as it’s a common ingredient in many of my favorite recipes. It’s great if you want to stop food from sticking while cooking, and it has a rich flavor that can add depth to any meal. It’s also great for mixing up homemade salad dressing, roasting vegetables, and dipping bread. I even use a sprayer when I want to go lighter on the oil.
However, it can be hard to find high-quality olive oil since there are so many options to choose from in the grocery store. Over the course of my career, I’ve tried out dozens of different brands, searching for oils that are flavorful and easy to cook with, and the following are several of the best olive oils I’ve found, including options for everyday cooking and special occasions.
My Top Picks
- What’s in My Kitchen: Bertolli Organic Extra Virgin Olive Oil – $14.29 at Amazon
- Also Great: California Olive Ranch Global Blend Extra Virgin Olive Oil – $14.78 at Target
- Best for Cooking: Graza “Sizzle” Extra Virgin Olive Oil – $14.99 at Amazon
- Best Splurge: Brightland The Duo Extra Virgin Olive Oils – $79 at Amazon
Reviews of The Best Olive Oil
1. What’s in My Kitchen: Bertolli Organic Extra Virgin Olive Oil
My go-to olive oil for everyday cooking is this organic variety from Bertolli. It’s available in most grocery stores, and despite its reasonable price, I’ve found that it has a rich, full-bodied flavor with very low acidity. It’s made using a blend of organic olives and is unrefined and cold-extracted, making it a bit healthier than other oils, and it also has a high smoke point around 400 degrees Fahrenheit, so it’s ideal for cooking.
The Specs:
- Type: Organic extra virgin
- Bottle size(s): 25.36 ounces
- Country of origin: Varies
What I Like:
- Reasonably priced
- Rich flavor
- Certified organic
- High smoke point
- Recycled plastic packaging
What I Don’t Like:
What Others Are Saying:
Bertolli Organic was named one of the best by Wirecutter, who call it a “robust and inexpensive” option.
Buy Bertolli Organic Extra Virgin Olive Oil:
2. Also Great: California Olive Ranch Global Blend Extra Virgin Olive Oil
If you prefer a more mild olive oil, the California Olive Ranch Global Blend has a smooth, well-balanced flavor that can be used in all sorts of recipes. It’s made from a blend of olives sourced from around the world, and you can find it in most grocery stories. This extra virgin olive oil comes in a glass bottle, which is more eco-friendly than plastic, but keep in mind that it’s slightly higher in calories than many other varieties.
The Specs:
- Type: Extra virgin
- Bottle size(s): 6.9, 25.4, or 33.8 ounces
- Country of origin: Argentina, Chile, Portugal, and USA
What I Like:
- Reasonably priced
- Smooth, balanced flavor
- Good for everyday use
- Packaged in glass bottle
- Widely available
What I Don’t Like:
What Others Are Saying:
California Olive Ranch has an impressive 4.8-star rating from over 1,500 Amazon reviewers, and it was also named the best everyday by Food & Wine.
Buy California Olive Ranch Global Blend Extra Virgin Olive Oil:
3. Best for Cooking: Graza “Sizzle” Extra Virgin Olive Oil
Many grocery store olive oils are made from a blend of olives, but Graza’s “Sizzle” is made solely from Picual olives grown in Spain. The single-origin oil has a mellow flavor with a high smoke point, making it a versatile option for cooking, and the brand claims it has a longer shelf life than other varieties as well. Plus, Sizzle comes in a convenient squeeze bottle that makes it easy to drizzle into your favorite skillet while cooking.
The Specs:
- Type: Extra virgin
- Bottle size(s): 16.9 or 25.3 ounces
- Country of origin: Spain
What I Like:
- Mild flavor for cooking
- Higher smoke point
- Single-origin olives
- Long shelf life
- Convenient squeeze bottle
What I Don’t Like:
- Not the strongest flavor
What Others Are Saying:
Graza “Sizzle” has a 4.7-star rating from more than 1,100 Amazon reviewers, and it was named one of the best in taste tests by Wirecutter and The Spruce Eats.
Buy Graza “Sizzle” Extra Virgin Olive Oil:
4. Best Splurge: Brightland The Duo Extra Virgin Olive Oils
If you’re looking for fancy olive oil to use on special occasions, The Duo from Brightland is worth the splurge. (It also makes a great gift for people who love to cook!) The set comes with two types of extra virgin olive oil: Awake is a bold and robust oil made from early-harvest Arbequina olives, while Alive has a milder, grassy flavor that comes from a blend of Arbequina, Arbosana, and Koroneiki olives. All the olives are grown in California, and the oil comes in stylish UV-coated bottles that protect it from damaging light to improve its shelf life.
The Specs:
- Type: Extra virgin
- Bottle size(s): 12.7 ounces
- Country of origin: USA (California)
What I Like:
- Two flavor profiles for different uses
- Single-origin California olives
- Stylish, UV-protected packaging
What I Don’t Like:
What Others are Saying:
Brightland The Duo was named the best overall by Food & Wine.
Buy Brightland The Duo Extra Virgin Olive Oils:
Other Olive Oils to Consider
Graza “Drizzle” Extra Virgin Olive Oil
If you’re looking an option with a punchy flavor to drizzle over finished dishes, Graza “Drizzle” is a popular pick that comes in a handy squeeze bottle. It’s made from the same type of olives as “Sizzle,” but the olives are picked earlier for a bolder flavor. It’s great for salads, sandwiches, and pesto, but because its flavor is so prominent, it’s not the best choice for cooking. Graza “Drizzle” Extra Virgin Olive Oil is available at Target for $16.99.
Partanna Extra Virgin Olive Oil Tin
This is another top choice for everyday use, and it works well for sauteing, roasting, and baking. It’s made from 100% Castelvetrano olives and has a buttery flavor with a peppery finish. It comes in a metal tin, which helps to preserve its freshness, but it isn’t as easy to pour as a regular bottle, so you may want to transfer the oil over to a different container, like a sprayer, for dispensing. The Partanna Extra Virgin Olive Oil Tin is available at Amazon for $16.95.
Corto TRULY 100% Extra Virgin Olive Oil
Corto TRULY is another oil made from California-grown olives. They’re harvested and processed at peak ripeness for a robust, fresh flavor, and it’s great for dipping bread or finishing salads. It’s more pricey than other options, though, so it’s not the best option for everyday cooking. Corto TRULY 100% Extra Virgin Olive Oil is available at Amazon for $25.50.
Pompeian Smooth Extra Virgin Olive Oil
If you’re just looking for an affordable oil to use in your kitchen, this is a popular, budget-friendly choice. You can likely find it at your local supermarket, and the oil comes in a variety of bottle sizes, ranging from 16 to 100+ ounces. It has a mild profile that’s great for cooking, but it’s not necessarily the most flavorful option out there. Pompeian Smooth Extra Virgin Olive Oil is available at Amazon for $10.94.
Why You Can Trust Me
I’m Gina, the author and recipe developer behind Skinnytaste. I love creating nutritious meals that are loaded with flavor, and olive oil is a key ingredient in many of my recipes. It’s such a versatile ingredient, and I often use it to stop food from sticking to the pan, as well as add a burst of flavor to a dish.
Because I cook with it so often, I’ve tried out many different brands, and I used my firsthand experience to put together this list of the best olive oil. I also took user reviews into account when selecting oils to feature, as well as taste tests by trusted food publications.
Everything to Know Before Buying Olive Oil
What to Consider Before Buying Olive Oil
There are dozens of olive oils to choose from, so here’s what to look for to narrow down your selection:
Type: There are a few different types you can buy, but extra virgin is the most popular, as it has the highest standards for aroma and flavor. Extra virgin olive oil also contains the highest levels of antioxidants and healthy fats. You can also find organic options if you prefer.
Flavor: Olive oil may have different flavors depending on the olives used. You can find oil that’s milder and subtle, making it versatile for cooking, but there are also varieties that have a more robust flavor for dipping bread or making salad dressing.
Harvest date: For the freshest oil, look to see if there’s a harvest date on the bottle. This indicates when the olives were picked and processed. Oils with more recent harvest dates will be fresher and have a longer shelf life.
Is Olive Oil Good for You?
There are several health benefits to cooking with extra virgin olive oil. The ingredient is high in antioxidants and has anti-inflammatory properties, and it’s also a good source of monounsaturated fats, which can be beneficial in lowering LDL cholesterol levels.
However, keep in mind that it is high in calories, so it should be used in moderation. I like to use a sprayer to ensure I’m not using too much when I cook.
What Is the Olive Oil Smoke Point?
An oil’s smoke point is the temperature at which it starts to burn, which can result in an unpleasant flavor while cooking. Most extra virgin olive oil has a smoke point around 400 degrees Fahrenheit, but this can vary based on the purity of the product.
What Are the Olive Oil Benefits?
When used as part of a balanced diet, olive oil can offer several health benefits. Studies have linked the ingredient to decreased inflammation in the body, a lower risk of heart disease, and even protection against cancer. When used as an alternative to butter or other ingredients high in saturated fats, it has also been associated with lower levels of LDL cholesterol and reduced blood pressure.
What is the Difference Between Avocado Oil and Olive Oil?
Avocado oil is another popular oil for cooking. In terms of nutrition, it’s very similar to olive oil, containing healthy fats and antioxidants, but avocado oil has a neutral flavor, so it’s a good choice if you don’t like the taste. Avocado oil also has a higher smoke point around 520 degrees, so it’s better-suited for high-heat cooking.
The Best Olive Oil Recipes
Olive oil is an extremely versatile ingredient, and it’s used in a wide range of dishes, from Crispy Oven Roasted Baby Potatoes to Strawberry and Gorgonzola Salad. The following are some of my favorite recipes to make with it, all of which put the robust flavor on display:
Prices were accurate at time of publication.
