Honey Free Garlic Basil Herb Oil
There is something deeply satisfying about a homemade herb oil that smells this good — warm garlic, woodsy rosemary and thyme, and a bright hit of fresh basil all steeped together into something you'll want to drizzle on absolutely everything. Many store-bought flavored oils sneak in sweeteners or honey-based preservatives, so making your own from scratch is the cleanest way to know exactly what's in the bottle. The technique here is all about low, patient heat — coaxing the garlic to pale gold without burning it, then letting the basil wilt gently in the residual warmth so the oil picks up that gorgeous green tint. Straining everything through a fine-mesh sieve leaves you with a silky, clear infusion that's ready to use right away or stash in the fridge for up to five days. Use it as a dipping oil for crusty bread, a finishing drizzle over roasted vegetables, or a flavor-packed base for salad dressings. It's one of those pantry staples that feels fancy but comes together with almost no effort at all.
About FigFig is a food discovery app that helps you find foods and recipes that fit your dietary needs. Whether you have food allergies, intolerances, or follow a specific diet, Fig makes it easy to eat with confidence.
Learn more →Ingredients
8 servings
- ½ cup extra-virgin olive oil
- 4 cloves garlic, lightly smashed and peeled
- ½ cup fresh basil leaves, loosely packed
- 3 sprigs fresh thyme
- 2 sprigs fresh rosemary
- ¼ tsp fine sea salt
Instructions
- 1
Combine the olive oil, smashed garlic cloves, thyme sprigs, and rosemary sprigs in a small saucepan. Set over the lowest heat your burner allows and warm until the oil reaches a gentle, lazy sizzle around the garlic — small bubbles forming slowly at the edges of the cloves, about 8–10 minutes. The garlic should turn pale golden and fragrant but not brown; if it begins to color quickly, lift the pan off the heat for 30 seconds.
- 2
Remove the pan from the heat and add the fresh basil leaves, pressing them gently into the warm oil with a spoon. Let the basil steep in the residual heat for 5 minutes, until the leaves are wilted and the oil is bright green-tinged and fragrant.
Want the full recipe?
Create a Fig account for step-by-step instructions, access to our full recipe library, and more!