I always keep a bottle of high-quality olive oil in my kitchen—it’s a staple in many of my favorite recipes. Olive oil helps prevent food from sticking while cooking and adds a rich, layered flavor to dishes. It’s perfect for homemade salad dressings, roasting vegetables, dipping bread, and I often use a sprayer when I want to control how much oil I use.
With so many options on the shelf, it can be challenging to find olive oil that balances flavor, quality, and value. Over the years I’ve tested dozens of brands to find oils that are flavorful, reliable for cooking, and versatile for finishing dishes. Below are several top choices I recommend for everyday use and special occasions.
My Top Picks
- What’s in My Kitchen: DeLallo Extra Virgin Olive Oil — $35.24
- Also Great: California Olive Ranch Extra Virgin Olive Oil — $14.69
- Best for Cooking: Graza “Sizzle” Extra Virgin Olive Oil — $14.99
- Best Splurge: Brightland The Duo Extra Virgin Olive Oils — $74–$79
Reviews of The Best Olive Oil
1. What’s in My Kitchen: DeLallo Extra Virgin Olive Oil
My go-to for everyday cooking is DeLallo organic extra virgin olive oil. It’s made from Italian-grown, handpicked olives and each batch is tested for quality. The oil is cold-pressed without heat or chemicals, giving it a fresh, clean flavor. Because it’s often sold in larger sizes, you may need to seek it out, but I find the quality worth the effort.
The Specs:
- Type: Extra virgin
- Bottle size(s): 3 liters
- Country of origin: Italy
What I Like:
- Rich, well-rounded flavor
- Cold-pressed production
- High smoke point suitable for many cooking methods
- Recycled plastic packaging reduces waste
What I Don’t Like:
- Often only available in bulk sizes
2. Also Great: California Olive Ranch Extra Virgin Olive Oil
If you prefer a milder, more versatile oil, California Olive Ranch’s Global Blend delivers a smooth, balanced flavor that works in many recipes. It’s produced from a blend of California-grown olives and is widely available in grocery stores. Packaged in a glass bottle, it’s a convenient and eco-friendlier option for everyday use.
The Specs:
- Type: Extra virgin
- Bottle size(s): 6.9, 25.4, or 33.8 ounces
- Country of origin: USA (California)
What I Like:
- Reasonably priced
- Smooth, balanced flavor for many uses
- Glass packaging
- Easy to find in stores
What I Don’t Like:
- Calorie content is similar to other oils—use in moderation
What Others Are Saying: This oil consistently earns high ratings from shoppers and has been recognized in taste tests by well-known food publications.
3. Best for Cooking: Graza “Sizzle” Extra Virgin Olive Oil
Graza Sizzle is a single-origin oil made entirely from Picual olives grown in Spain. It has a mild, mellow flavor and a relatively high smoke point, which makes it especially useful for sautéing and high-heat cooking. The squeeze bottle design is practical for controlled pouring and quick additions while cooking.
The Specs:
- Type: Extra virgin
- Bottle size(s): 16.9 or 25.3 ounces
- Country of origin: Spain
What I Like:
- Mild flavor ideal for cooking
- Higher smoke point for versatility
- Single-origin olives provide consistency
- Long shelf life when stored properly
- Convenient squeeze bottle
What I Don’t Like:
- Not as bold in flavor for finishing dishes
What Others Are Saying: Graza Sizzle performs well in blind taste tests and receives positive reviews for its balance between cookability and flavor.
4. Best Splurge: Brightland The Duo Extra Virgin Olive Oils
For a special-occasion oil set, Brightland’s The Duo is a standout. The pair includes two distinctive extra virgin oils: Awake, a bold early-harvest Arbequina, and Alive, a milder, grassy blend of Arbequina, Arbosana, and Koroneiki olives. Both are made from California-grown olives and come in UV-protected bottles to help preserve flavor and quality.
The Specs:
- Type: Extra virgin
- Bottle size(s): 12.7 ounces each
- Country of origin: USA (California)
What I Like:
- Two distinct flavor profiles for different uses
- Single-origin California olives
- Stylish, UV-protected packaging for freshness
What I Don’t Like:
- Pricier than many everyday oils
What Others Are Saying: Brightland’s Duo has received accolades in several culinary roundups for its flavor and presentation.
Other Olive Oils to Consider
Bertolli Organic Extra Virgin Olive Oil
Bertolli offers an organic extra virgin option available in both full-bottle and spray formats. The oil is cold-extracted from a blend of organic olives, and it has a relatively high smoke point—making it a practical choice for cooking. The spray version is useful when you need to lightly coat pans or salads.
Graza “Drizzle” Extra Virgin Olive Oil
Graza Drizzle is harvested earlier for a bolder, peppery flavor—great for finishing salads, sandwiches, and pesto. It’s less suited for cooking when you want a neutral profile, but it shines as a finishing oil to add bright olive character to dishes.
Partanna Extra Virgin Olive Oil (Tin)
Partanna comes in a metal tin that helps protect the oil from light and keeps it fresh. Made from Castelvetrano olives, it has a buttery texture with a gentle peppery finish. Because tins can be less convenient to pour, consider transferring to a spout bottle or using a sprayer for easier dispensing.
Corto TRULY 100% Extra Virgin Olive Oil
Corto TRULY is produced from California-grown olives harvested at peak ripeness for a bright, robust flavor. It’s excellent for finishing salads and dipping bread. Because of its premium profile, it’s often reserved for uses where flavor matters most rather than everyday frying or roasting.
Pompeian Smooth Extra Virgin Olive Oil
Pompeian Smooth is a budget-friendly, widely available option with a mild flavor profile that works well for general cooking. Available in many bottle sizes, it’s a practical choice when you want an economical oil for daily tasks.
Why You Can Trust Me
I’m Gina, the creator and recipe developer behind Skinnytaste. I cook with olive oil frequently and test many brands across a wide range of recipes. My recommendations come from hands-on experience, user reviews, and taste tests by trusted food publications. I focus on oils that balance flavor, quality, and usability in everyday kitchens.
Because I rely on olive oil so often, I’ve sampled many varieties and selected these options for their consistent quality and versatility. I also weighed consumer feedback and independent taste tests when compiling this list.
Everything to Know Before Buying Olive Oil
What to Consider Before Buying Olive Oil
With so many oils available, these factors will help you choose the right bottle for your needs:
Type: Extra virgin olive oil is the most prized for flavor and aroma and contains higher levels of antioxidants and beneficial fats. Look for certified extra virgin or organic labeling if that’s important to you.
Flavor: Olive oils range from mild and buttery to robust and peppery. Mild oils are versatile for cooking, while bolder oils excel as finishing touches or for dipping bread.
Harvest date: A harvest date on the bottle indicates when the olives were picked and processed. Fresher oils with recent harvest dates will have more vibrant flavor and a longer usable life.
Is Olive Oil Good for You?
Extra virgin olive oil offers several health benefits. It’s rich in antioxidants, contains anti-inflammatory compounds, and is high in monounsaturated fats, which can help support healthy cholesterol levels. That said, olive oil is calorie-dense, so use it in moderation. A sprayer or measuring spoon can help control portions.
What Is the Olive Oil Smoke Point?
An oil’s smoke point is the temperature at which it begins to burn and degrade, producing off flavors. Many extra virgin olive oils have smoke points around 400°F, but this varies with quality and refinement. For higher-heat cooking, choose oils specifically labeled for high-heat use or select refined varieties.
What Are the Olive Oil Benefits?
When consumed as part of a balanced diet, olive oil can contribute to heart-healthy eating patterns. It has been associated with reduced inflammation and may support healthier cholesterol and blood pressure levels when used in place of saturated fats.
What Is the Difference Between Avocado Oil and Olive Oil?
Avocado oil and olive oil are similar nutritionally, both providing healthy fats and antioxidants. Avocado oil tends to have a neutral flavor and a higher smoke point (around 520°F), which makes it a good choice for very high-heat cooking. Olive oil offers more characteristic olive flavor, which many cooks prefer for dressings, finishing dishes, and everyday sautéing.
The Best Olive Oil Recipes
Olive oil is incredibly versatile and enhances a wide range of recipes. Here are a few favorites that showcase its flavor:
- Pasta with Roasted Broccoli, Garlic and Oil
- Mediterranean Quinoa Salad
- The Best Baba Ganoush
- Homemade Basil Pesto
Prices were accurate at the time of publication.