What Is Olive oil, extra-virgin and How Can I Use It?

If extra-virgin olive oil has turned up in a recipe or caught your eye at the store, here's what you need to use it with confidence and how to choose it, cook it, store it, what to substitute, and 1,186 recipes to try it in.

What is extra-virgin olive oil?

Extra virgin olive oil refers to a specific grade of consumer olive oil, which is made from the initial pressing of the olives.

Extra virgin olive oil is considered by most people to be the highest-quality olive oil, with the finest taste and texture.

Extra virgin olive oil is differentiated from virgin and the lower grades in a number of ways. To begin with, it is the oil that comes out in the first pressing of the olives.

Olives contain a large amount of oil, and subsequent pressings will squeeze out more, but extra virgin olive oil is always the first — and best — press from a batch of olives. Extra virgin olive oil is also entirely pure.

Standard olive oil may include some refined oils, to help bulk out the oil, but extra virgin olive oil is 100% first press oil. As a result, extra virgin olive oil has a very low acidity — less than 1% — and the flavor tends to be very pronounced and smooth.

Lower-grade olive oils may have bland flavors, but extra virgin olive oil has a very unique, interesting taste.

Nutrition

Nutrition Facts

Serving Size 1 tablespoon (13g)

Amount per Serving

Calories 114Calories from Fat 117

% Daily Value *

Total Fat 13.0g 20%

Saturated Fat 1.8g 9%

Trans Fat ~

Cholesterol 0mg 0%

Sodium 0mg 0%

Total Carbohydrate 0.0g 0%

Dietary Fiber 0g 0%

Sugars 0.0

Protein 0.0g

Vitamin A 0% Vitamin C 0%

Calcium 0% • Iron 0%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your caloric needs.

recipeland.com/nutrition

Where found

Extra-virgin olive oil is usually found in the oils section or aisle of the grocery store or supermarket.

Food group

Olive oil, extra-virgin is a member of the Fats and Oils US Department of Agriculture nutritional food group.

How much does extra-virgin olive oil weigh?

Amount	Weight
1 tablespoon	13 grams
1 cup	216 grams
1 teaspoon	4 grams

Fats and Oils

Lard 348 Mayonnaise 961 Salad dressing, mayonnaise style 49 Salad dressing, italian, low-fat 30 Peanut oil 594 Olive oil 6038 Olive oil, extra-virgin 1186 Sesame oil 1030 Sunflower oil 111 Salad dressing 65

In Chinese:	橄榄油，特级初榨
British (UK) term:
en français:	huile d'olive extra-vierge
en español:	aceite de oliva virgen extra

Recipes using extra-virgin olive oil

There are 1186 recipes that contain this ingredient.

Beef Rib Marinade

Take your beef ribs to the next level with this web marinade that imparts incredible flavor deep into meaty beef ribs. Whether you're grilling, smoking, or using an Instant Pot for tender fall-off-the-bone beef ribs, marinate to start things off right.

Brussels Sprouts with Pecans

Discover this easy sautéed Brussels sprouts with pecans recipe: caramelized onions, garlic, and a hint of lemon for a quick, healthy side dish bursting with nutty crunch and subtle sweetness—perfect for weeknight dinners or holiday meals like "simple Brussels sprouts side dish ideas" or "healthy vegetable recipes with nuts."

Persian Swiss Chard & Dill Frittata

Get ready to whip up a vibrant, herb-packed dish that’s bursting with flavor and perfect for any meal of the day! This Persian-inspired frittata is a fresh twist on the classic omelet, blending tender Swiss chard, fragrant dill, and zesty scallions into a fluffy, golden masterpiece. Baked to perfection, it’s easy to make and even easier to love. Serve it with warm flatbread, a sprinkle of feta, or a side of crisp veggies for a delightful meal. Let’s dive into this green goodness!

Persian Swiss Chard & Dill Frittata

Sweet Potato Gnocchi with Watercress Pesto

These delicious yet nutritious sweet potato gnocchi is coated with refreshing and tangy watercress pesto. It's a dish that's packed with flavor and fills you up with all the goodness and yumminess.

Spiced Baba Gannouj

Spiced baba ghanoush with broiled eggplant, lemon, olive oil, and a warming hit of allspice and cinnamon. A Middle Eastern dip with unexpected spice depth, served with pita and fresh herbs.

Quick Turkish Eggs, Spinach & Chickpeas

Eggs are simply poached with chickpeas and spinach. This can be a hearty breakfast or a quick and easy light meal. Super simple and one-pan preparation makes it perfect for a snappy weeknight meal or weekend brunch.

Quick Turkish Eggs, Spinach & Chickpeas

Lentils & Rice (Mujadara)

This is a "three-ingredient" anti-inflammatory Lebanese-inspired side dish (or vegetarian main) made with brown rice, lentils, and caramelized onions. Instant pot ready directions included.

Asparagus & Arugula Salad with Poached Eggs

This refreshing salad combines tender roasted asparagus, peppery arugula, and perfectly poached eggs for a light yet satisfying dish. A tangy lemon-mustard dressing ties it together, while a slice of crusty whole-grain bread soaks up the flavorful juices and adds fiber. Ideal for brunch or a quick dinner, this salad is both nutritious and delicious.

Chilled Tomato-Yogurt Soup

A velvety chilled soup made with strained yogurt, ripe tomatoes, fresh dill, and a bright splash of white wine vinegar. This no-cook vegetarian recipe is refreshing, tangy, and ready to serve after a few hours in the fridge.

Asian Salad Nicoise

This Nicoise Salad is a beautiful play off its French counterpart. It keeps the traditional string beans, potatoes, boiled eggs and tuna, but it adds an Asian inspired dressing that elevates this salad to the next level. By changing the usual white potatoes to sweet potatoes, it becomes a healthier version of the recipe. Sweet potatoes provide more vitamins and minerals than regular potatoes and they have fewer calories. Add in the Omega-3 benefits in the tuna, the protein of the eggs, and fibre-packed beans, and you have got a power packed lunch that tastes like a million dollars. This recipe will certainly be singing to your taste buds tuna.

Basic Focaccia (Ultimate)

Easy homemade focaccia, with the bread machine doing the kneading. Hand-dimpled, drizzled with extra-virgin olive oil and showered with coarse salt and rosemary. A crisp-edged, golden Italian flatbread.

Turkey Scallopini & Squash Ravioli with Cranberry Brown Butter

Turkey Scallopini and Squash Ravioli with Cranberry Brown Butter recipe

Spinach, Sun-dried Tomato, Parmesan & Pine Nut Pasta Salad

Fresh spring spinach simply dressed with olive oil and umami-packed ingredients like sun-dried tomatoes, Parmesan and pine nuts with pasta to make it a simple yet sophisticated picnic friendly salad.

Salad Platter

Creamy avocados, juicy-sweet tomatoes, crunchy cucumbers, meaty chickpeas and salty olives are on top of a bed of lettuce or any your favorite greens. Drizzle some freshly homemade vinaigrette and serve with a few slices of good bread.

Golden Polenta & Egg with Mustard Sauce

Crispy polenta is served with tender green beans, a soft-boiled egg, and a tangy yogurt mustard sauce. An easy yet sophisticated gluten-free breakfast to impress.

Fingerling Potatoes with Hazelnut & Sage

A fairly simple yet delicious way to cook these beautiful fingerling potatoes. Sage and hazelnuts were deliciously combined with the potatoes. An excellent side dish.

Grainy Mustard Mashed Creamy Potatoes

Grainy mustard mashed potatoes simmered right in cream infused with garlic, thyme, and bay, then mashed silky and spiked with whole-grain mustard. A rich, tangy upgrade on the classic side dish.

Sage & Walnut Pesto Pasta

Sage and parsley bring herbal, earthy, and outdoorsy notes to the forefront, walnuts bring meaty richness, and Parmesan brings home the umami. This simple recipe is all about technique. The pesto then coats the pasta dreamily. Best of all, it's super simple and quick to plate.