Sesame Free Garlic Basil Herb Oil
There is something deeply satisfying about making your own herb-infused oil from scratch, and this garlic basil version is the kind of thing that makes even simple food taste special. Low, slow heat coaxes the garlic into a soft, pale golden sweetness while the thyme and rosemary release their woodsy fragrance into the olive oil — then a final steep with fresh basil leaves turns the whole thing a gorgeous, garden-bright green. The result is a silky, aromatic oil that tastes nothing like anything you'd find in a bottle at the store. For anyone navigating sesame sensitivities, flavored oils and condiments can be a real minefield — tahini, sesame oil, and blended dressings sneak into so many products. This recipe sidesteps all of that with nothing but olive oil, fresh herbs, garlic, and a pinch of sea salt, so you know exactly what you're getting. Drizzle it over grilled vegetables, swipe it across crusty bread, toss it with pasta, or use it as a finishing oil for soups and roasted proteins. It keeps in the fridge for up to five days, which means a little weekend effort pays off all week long.
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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.
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