Drizzle, Dip, or Finish? How Do You Use Your EVOO in the Kitchen?

Recipes & Pairings
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Helloooo!

Let’s talk flavor in action—how do you actually use extra virgin olive oil in your cooking?

There are so many ways to enjoy a great EVOO, and yet so many myths floating around (like “never cook with EVOO” :roll_eyes:). I thought we could kick off this Recipes & Pairings space with a post about how we actually put our oils to work.

Here’s what I’ve found over the years:

Yes, You Can Cook with EVOO

Despite what you might’ve heard, a high-quality extra virgin olive oil is absolutely safe to cook with. In fact, because of its antioxidant content and natural stability, EVOO performs well under moderate heat (sautéing, roasting, etc.). Just avoid letting it smoke.

Raw Drizzle vs. Cooking Oil

Many EVOO lovers keep two bottles:

  • One everyday oil for general cooking (still extra virgin, just milder).
  • One premium oil for raw applications—like on burrata, grilled veggies, or even gelato (yes, really).

Pair Flavor with Function

Here are just a few fun, flexible combos:

  • Peppery Tuscan oil over rare steak or peppery greens.
  • Delicate Arbequina on soft cheeses or poached fish.
  • Koroneiki for roasted potatoes or lentil soup—punchy and green.
  • Picual in aioli or for finishing shakshuka.
  • Levantine oils (like Souri or Nabali)? Incredibly versatile. They shine over everything from roasted eggplant and grain salads to simple tomato toast or grilled meat. Don’t box them into one cuisine—these are complex, dynamic oils with ancient roots and modern versatility.

Sweet & Surprising

EVOO in baking? Absolutely. Try a citrus olive oil cake, or drizzle bold oil over dark chocolate and sea salt. The grassy notes play beautifully with sweet and savory.

Pro tip: Let the Dish Decide

If it’s delicate, use a delicate oil. If it’s bold, use something with bite. A fresh harvest oil can completely transform a basic dish.

What’s your favorite use for EVOO?

  • Got a killer salad dressing combo?
  • A go-to finishing drizzle?
  • An unusual pairing that blew your mind?

Drop your tips, recipes, and ideas below—whether you cook every day or just like dipping good bread in something great.

Let’s crowdsource some olive oil magic!!!

Luca

Tags:

tag:olive-oil-recipes tag:evoo-in-cooking tag:evoo-pairings tag:how-to-use-olive-oil tag:olive-oil-flavor tag:koroneiki tag:picual tag:arbequina tag:tuscan-evoo tag:levant-olive-oil tag:baking-with-evoo tag:drizzling-olive-oil