5 Best Garlic-Infused Extra Virgin Olive Oils
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Although olive oil has an enjoyable grassy, nutty flavor, some people have found a way to enhance it. One popular method is by infusing it with spices and herbs.
A particularly popular method of olive oil infusion is adding garlic to it. This gives it an appealing taste and an inexpensive way to make your olive oil healthier.
I’m a big fan of garlic-infused olive oils, and that’s why I decided to share my favorite garlic-infused extra virgin olive oils with you, so you can enjoy their beautiful taste as well.
What Are Garlic-Infused Olive Oils?
Garlic-infused olive oil is simple to prepare. It is made by adding roasted or lightly toasted garlic to high-quality extra virgin olive oil (EVOO). This oil has a rich earthy aroma and taste that goes well with most foods.
EVOO is the best type of olive oil for a garlic infusion because it’s made from pure olives and is unrefined. Therefore, it retains all the flavor and goodness of natural olives and blends in well with the beneficial properties of garlic.
Why do people infuse olive oil with garlic? One reason is olive oil’s intense flavor. Adding some garlic eliminates this effect and makes it more tasty. This encourages those skeptical about using olive oil in their cooking to try it and use it in many recipes.
If you’ve been struggling with your olive oil-garlic infusion, there is no need to worry. You can purchase some excellently prepared garlic-infused olive oils at an affordable price. Here are five options.
The Best Garlic Infused Olive Oils
Here are my top picks for the best garlic-infused olive oils you’ll adore.
1. M.G. Pappas EVOO With Garlic – My Top Pick
M.G. Pappas Garlic Infused Olive Oil is one of the healthiest olive oils you can buy. It contains some of the highest amounts of polyphenols, a fact that has been tested through scientific methods such as the Folin and NMR methods.
This garlic-infused olive oil also has a pleasant peppery freshness and is characterized by delicious artichoke notes that complement vegetable stir-fries, meats, and pasta.
You’ll also find that M.G. Pappas garlic-infused EVOO is among the least bitter and acidic of all garlic-flavored olive oils. It’s ideal for cooking foods that require low to medium heat to preserve their nutrients and enhance their taste, such as eggs.
Foods such as hummus, salads, and cheese platters that need an extra burst of flavor to elevate them will also taste amazing with a drizzle of this olive oil.
2. Garlic Gold Organic Extra Virgin Olive Oil
Garlic Gold Organic EVOO is highly preferred by people who enjoy flavored oils because it’s made from toasted garlic oil.
This infusion method keeps the oil flavor mild without adding any of the bitter notes that characterize some roasted garlic-infused olive oils.
You can use it in sauces instead of butter to add flavor and give them a delicious consistency. Its mild taste also makes it an ideal choice for bread dips and salads.
Garlic Gold Organic EVOO also makes the perfect finishing oil for pasta sauces. And best of all, it comes in a great quality glass bottle that gives you a clear view of the oil inside while preserving its goodness.
3. Mantova Garlic Flavoured EVOO
Mantova garlic-flavored EVOO is made from cold-pressed extra virgin olive oil. Therefore, it is one of the flavored olive oils that are packed with antioxidants and retain the earthy flavor of the original olive oil.
Despite this fact, Mantova Garlic flavored EVOO is mellow and smooth, making it an excellent option for simple foods that need a little flavor enhancement to enrich them.
These are foods you can give a boost of flavor with a drizzle of garlic olive oil, such as salads, cheese platters, pasta, and dips.
Mantova garlic-flavored EVOO also maintains its integrity under low to medium heat. Therefore, it’s one of the best garlic-infused olive oils you should have in your kitchen for pan-frying and sauteing.
4. Tuscanini Garlic infused EVOO
Tuscanini garlic-infused EVOO is another olive oil packed with the amazing tastes and smells of toasted garlic that you may enjoy.
This oil reminds us of Italy and all the nice things about it, such as its Italian food that are packed with flavor. Therefore, it’s no surprise that this is one of the best oils to use in pasta. It also imparts an unforgettable lemony taste to meats and salads.
Tuscanini garlic-infused olive oil is also one of the few garlic-infused olive oils you can have on its own because of its amazing flavor. The fact that it doesn’t emit an overpowering garlic flavor also makes it a perfect oil to use in baked foods.
5. Fody Food Company Garlic Infused Olive Oil
This garlic-infused olive oil from the Fody Food Company is one of the freshest and tastiest flavored oils you can buy. It makes a great addition to salad dressings because its garlic flavor is not overpowering.
The best way to enjoy this garlic oil is in fry-ups. When heated gently in the frying pan, it releases a delicious aroma that intermingles well with most of the ingredients used in stir-fries and sauces.
Unlike other garlic-infused olive oils, this oil from the Fody Food Company does not have bits of garlic in it. It’s the best option for people who like their flavored oils clear of any visible herbs or spices yet enriched with the flavors and aromas of these ingredients.
Are Garlic-Infused Olive Oils Any Good?
Yes, garlic-infused olive oil is a superb cooking oil to have in your kitchen. It is the best oil to buy if you desire garlic flavor in your foods but can’t be bothered to peel pieces of garlic and mix them in olive oil to make it.
Olive oil’s grassy, earthy flavors intermingle well with garlic’s lemony, spicy taste making it the best combination you can have. You can use this oil to make any of your favorite foods as long as you do not expose it to high heat. This is the best way to preserve its goodness throughout the cooking process.
People who suffer a bad reaction after eating garlic will enjoy using this oil. It does not contain the triggering substances from garlic that make us avoid it, such as its pungent smell or bitter taste. Instead, it only has the aromas and flavors of garlic and olive oil that you desire in any meal.
The polyphenols from olive oil and the immunity-boosting capabilities of garlic also make a perfect combination for health-conscious people. You’ll find that it’s the best infusion among all others because garlic is such an integral part of our cooking.
Related: How To Make Infused Olive Oil at Home
And if you are worried about the cost, don’t be. The garlic-infused olive oils suggested here are quite affordable. The fact that they eliminate the need to use garlic when cooking also makes them some of the most convenient oils to have in your kitchen.
Once you start experimenting with garlic-infused olive oils in your cooking, you’ll find it’s quite a versatile oil to have in your home. There are so many ways of using it in food preparations and cooking. Here are suggestions on how to add it to food.
6 Ways To Use Garlic-Infused Olive Oils
You can use garlic-infused olive oil in various ways to enhance the flavor of food.
Here are some examples.
- Pour some of it on crusty toasted bread, pizzas, salads, and meaty dishes to add flavor.
- Mix it into marinades when cooking roasted chicken, baked fish, or grilled steaks to moisten them and enhance their aroma.
- Drizzle this oil on mildly flavored foods, such as roasted veggies and egg dishes, to elevate their taste.
- Use it in savory baked foods such as garlic cheese bread with olive oil and vegan olive oil cake.
- Flavor your popcorn and other snacks, such as potato chips, with this olive oil to give them a uniquely flavorful twist.
- Add it to mashed potatoes in place of butter to give them an interesting flavor and enhance their nutritional content.
Benefits Of Using Garlic-Infused Olive Oils
While garlic-infused olive oil makes many foods taste better, it also has other benefits that make it a must-have in any kitchen. These are;
- Disease-fighting capabilities that can keep minor infections such as colds at bay.
- Anti-inflammatory properties can ease symptoms of inflammation-related diseases such as arthritis.
- Anti-fungal and anti-bacterial properties promote oral health, preventing tooth decay.
- An ability to encourage the growth of healthy gut bacteria in the gastrointestinal tract for better digestion.
- Antioxidants that counteract oxidative stress in the body and brain, thereby strengthening their functions.
Final Words
Now you know the best garlic-infused olive oils and the benefits of using them in your kitchen. I’ve also given you a few ideas on how to use these oils to elevate the flavor and aroma of your cooking. Just make sure to use them before they go bad.
The five garlic-infused EVOO oils in this article are perfectly prepared to give you the aroma and taste you desire in your food. Try them, and you’ll be amazed at how they can ease your food preparation and enhance your health.
If you want to check out more infused olive oils, check out our web shop and buy infused olive oil from across the globe.