Pesto Herb Oil

Pesto Herb Oil is your new kitchen essential. With just a few ingredients, you can create a versatile, flavorful oil that adds life to many dishes. Whether drizzled over pizza, tossed with pasta, or used as a marinade, it’s the perfect finishing touch to elevate your cooking.

Bright, fresh, garlicky, and herby, it adds a professional touch to everything from homemade pizza and focaccia to steamed vegetables, fish, chicken, seafood, or beef. The best part? It’s simple to make, and the flavor lasts for weeks.

What is Pesto Herb Oil?

Pesto Herb Oil is an infused olive oil that offers more flavor than your average oil. Combined with the richness of pesto and earthy dried herbs like basil, parsley, oregano, rosemary, and thyme, plus the savory aroma of garlic, it’s perfect for finishing dishes without overpowering the flavors. This versatile oil is easy to make, store, and adds depth to any meal.

Ingredients

• Olive oil (extra virgin or full-bodied)
• Prepared pesto (optional)
• Basil, dried
• Parsley, dried
• Oregano, dried
• Fresh or dried rosemary needles
• Dried thyme
• Granulated garlic or fresh minced garlic
• Chili pepper flakes (optional)

If you have prepared pesto on hand, adding a couple of tablespoons enhances the herb oil with a richer, basil-forward flavor. However, it’s optional as the oil is already packed with garlic, rosemary, oregano, and other aromatic herbs, making it a delicious on its own.

Whether you include pesto or not, this Pesto Herb Oil will add incredible depth to pizzas, focaccia, pasta, and more!

Whe Perfect Blend: Pesto and Dried Herbs

Pesto Herb Oil combines the richness of pesto with earthy dried herbs like basil, parsley, oregano, rosemary, and thyme. A touch of garlic adds a savory aroma that’s perfect for finishing dishes without overpowering them.

Using both pesto and dried herbs in this oil creates a perfect balance of flavors. The pesto adds a rich, creamy depth with its blend of basil, cheese, and garlic, while the dried herbs bring an earthy, aromatic kick that holds up beautifully in the oil.

Together, they form a harmonious blend, infusing every drop with savory goodness, while a hint of garlic enhances the richness. This combination takes the oil from simple to extraordinary, offering a well-rounded flavor.

Choosing the Right Olive Oil

The base of any good infused oil is high-quality olive oil. When selecting your olive oil, consider the flavor profile to match your dishes. A rich, fruity extra virgin olive oil complements fresh, bright flavors, while a full-bodied, peppery oil works better with hearty dishes like grilled meats or roasted vegetables.

The type of olive oil you choose can significantly impact the overall flavor of your pesto herb oil, so pick one that complements the ingredients and meals you plan to use it with. Remember, a good olive oil will enhance the herb infusion without overpowering it.

When selecting your olive oil, here are some tips:

• Extra Virgin Olive Oil: The gold standard. It has a rich, fruity flavor that pairs beautifully with the herbs and pesto.
• Full-Bodied Olive Oil: Opt for a bold, peppery oil for a more intense flavor that complements the other ingredients.
• Avoid Light or Refined Olive Oils: These oils lack the depth you need for a flavorful herb-infused oil.

Pesto Herb Oil as a Marinade

Pesto Herb Oil isn’t just a finishing touch, it also makes a fantastic marinade. The combination of olive oil, garlic, and herbs works wonders to tenderize proteins and infuse them with bold flavor. The oil locks in moisture, while the herbs and garlic deeply season whatever you’re marinating.

To use as a marinade, simply coat your choice of protein or vegetables and let it rest before cooking:

• Chicken or Turkey: Marinate for 30 minutes to 2 hours before grilling, baking, or pan-searing.
• Steak or Pork: Let sit for 1-4 hours to maximize flavor absorption.
• Seafood: A quick 15-30 minute marinade works best to avoid overpowering delicate fish.
• Vegetables: Toss zucchini, mushrooms, or bell peppers in the oil before roasting or grilling.
• Tofu or Halloumi: Marinate for at least 30 minutes before pan-searing or grilling for an herby, crispy finish.

Not only does this marinade add a delicious herby punch, but you can also drizzle extra Pesto Herb Oil over your dish after cooking for an extra boost of flavor!

Storing and Using Pesto Herb Oil

Once you’ve made your pesto herb oil, store it properly to keep that vibrant flavor intact:

• Storage: Store the oil in a sealed jar at room temperature for up to a week. For longer storage, refrigerate it for up to a month. Just remember that olive oil solidifies when cold, so let it sit at room temperature before use.
• Shake Well: Herbs can settle, so give the jar a shake before each use to redistribute the flavors and ensure your oil remains aromatic.

What if I Refrigerate the Pesto Herb Oil?

If you refrigerate pesto herb oil, the olive oil will solidify due to cold temperatures, which is a common concern. While this doesn’t affect the flavor, it can make the oil difficult to use right away. To bring it back to its liquid state and retain the full flavor, simply let it sit at room temperature for about 15-30 minutes. Give the jar a shake to redistribute the herbs and ensure an even infusion of flavors, so you can enjoy your pesto herb oil as intended without any loss in taste or texture.

Recipes to Pair with Pesto Herb Oil

White Pizza with Alfredo and Pesto Herb Oil
Easy Homemade Rustic Bread
Soft Garlic Herb Naan Bread
Homemade Garlic Herb Pita Bread
Fusilli Pasta & Fresh Basil Pesto with Toasted Breadcrumbs
Greek Turkey Meatballs & Tzatziki

Adapted from the original recipe by Sara Kennedy.