Sesame Free Bright Italian Herb Oil
This vibrant herb oil is the kind of condiment that makes a simple meal feel like something special. Warm olive oil coaxes every last drop of flavor from fresh basil, parsley, and oregano, turning a handful of pantry staples into a deeply green, aromatic drizzle you'll want to put on everything. A touch of red pepper flakes adds gentle heat, while optional lemon zest brightens the whole thing with a citrusy lift. Many store-bought flavored oils and dipping sauces sneak in sesame oil or tahini-based blends, so making your own is a genuinely smart move — you know exactly what went in. The technique here is simple but intentional: gently warming the oils before steeping the herbs pulls out their color and fragrance without cooking off the delicate notes that make fresh herbs worth using. Strain it into a jar, and you've got a glossy, restaurant-worthy finishing oil ready to drizzle over bread, grilled vegetables, pasta, or roasted proteins. It keeps in the fridge and comes back to life at room temperature in minutes, making it just as useful on a weeknight as it is for entertaining.
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Learn more →Ingredients
8 servings
- ¾ cup extra-virgin olive oil
- 2 tbsp garlic-infused olive oil
- ¼ cup fresh basil leaves, packed
- ¼ cup fresh flat-leaf parsley leaves, packed
- 1 tbsp fresh oregano leaves (or 1 tsp dried oregano)
- ½ tsp red pepper flakes
- ½ tsp fine sea salt
- ¼ tsp freshly ground black pepper
- 1 tsp lemon zest (optional)
Instructions
- 1
Roughly chop the basil and parsley leaves on a cutting board, or bruise them lightly with a mortar and pestle until the leaves are broken down and fragrant — this helps release their color and flavor into the oil.
- 2
Combine the extra-virgin olive oil and garlic-infused olive oil in a small saucepan over low heat. Warm until the oil is just hot to the touch and shimmers slightly, about 2–3 minutes — do not let it simmer or smoke.
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