This technique for How to Make Fresh Green Herbal Oils is all about maintaining the vibrant essence of the herbs you use. But there is one special step that I want to share with you that will make all the difference as to how this culinary herbal oil will turn out. So watch the video tutorial below and find out the secret to always keeping your Fresh Herbal Oils Green!
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Table of Contents
- The Secret to Making the Best Herbal Oils
- How to Keep Herbal Oils Green Video
- Why You’ll Love These Always Green Herbal Oils
- Best Herbs for Making Fresh Herbal Oil
- Ingredients for Making Basil Oil
- Pro Tips for Making Culinary Herbal Oils
- How to Make Basil Oil
- Straining Pro Tip
- The BEST Way to Store Culinary Herbal Oils
- The BEST Way to Buy and Store Fresh Herbs
- The BEST Herbs to Stock in the Pantry
- More Herbal Recipes
- Looking for a Variety of Dried Herbs?
- The Modern Pioneer Cookbook
- Download Your Free 36-Page Pantry List
- Join the Traditional Foods Kitchen Academy
- Kitchen Academy Videos
- How to Make Fresh Herbal Oils That Are Always Green Recipe
- Shop for items used in this blog post or video
The Secret to Making the Best Herbal Oils
Why do herbal oils often take on a brown color and, dare I say, a foul odor and taste? The problem is that the oil infused with the herbs was not made properly. The secret is learning how to deactivate a particular substance that all herbs contain.
Herbs contain enzymes that cause them to discolor over time, and if you mix these herbs with olive oil, the enzymes will also cause the olive oil to discolor and develop an off odor and flavor.
I’ll show you how to deactivate those enzymes with a simple trick that involves a specific blanching method, so when you blend the herbs with your olive oil, they’ll impart a lovely color and taste wherever you use the oil.
How to Keep Herbal Oils Green Video
Watch Mary make this flavorful, green herbal oil. It might look like an expensive gourmet oil, but it is so simple to make. Follow my tips and tricks to make your herbal-infused oil turn out a nice bright green every time—and stay that way!
Why You’ll Love These Always Green Herbal Oils
- Vibrant Flavor: Each drop bursts with the fresh, vibrant flavor of just-picked herbs.
- Versatile Uses: Perfect for drizzling over salads, enhancing soups, adding a burst of flavor to pasta dishes, enlivening poached fish, and almost anything you can think of.
- Nutrient-Rich: Packed with essential vitamins and antioxidants from the fresh herbs.
- Beautiful Color: Adds a lovely green hue to your dishes, making your meals look as good as they taste.
- Easy to Make: Simple and quick to prepare with just a few fresh ingredients.
- Customizable: Tailor the flavor to your liking by choosing your favorite herbs.
Best Herbs for Making Fresh Herbal Oil
The tender leaf varieties of herbs are best for making herb-infused oils. You can mix and match herbs to create a variety of aromatic herbal flavors that you will enjoy. Don’t be shy. Be sure to experiment and discover herbal combinations perfect for any dish, from roasted veggies to sautéed chicken breasts, poached fish, and much more!
Here are some of the best herbs to use to make herbal oils:
- Tarragon
- Chives
- Basil
Other options include:
- Flat Leaf Italian Parsley
- Curly Leaf Parsley
- Mint
- Cilantro
- Dill
Avoid Using These Herbs
Although I love rosemary, thyme, and other herbs with woody stems, you’ll want to avoid using these types of herbs to make herbal oils. Unfortunately, they create herbal oils with overpowering flavors and do not make good culinary oils.
However, if you are looking for ways to use your more potent herbs, be sure to check out my series on making medicinal herbal remedies, including herbal oils and salves!
Ingredients for Making Basil Oil
Find the full printable recipe with ingredients below.
To make the delightful herbal oil I share in the video, you’ll need just a few simple ingredients. Start with fresh basil leaves, ensuring they are free from any blemishes. Next, you’ll need extra virgin olive oil, which acts as the perfect carrier to infuse the basil’s aromatic and savory flavors. These ingredients create a flavorful and versatile herbal oil that can elevate any dish.
Sometimes, culinary herbal oils can be overpowering. But that will never be the case if you always stick with the right type of herbs. For the oil I make in the video that accompanies this blog post, here are the specifics of what you will need:
- Fresh Basil – 1 large bunch
- Extra Virgin Olive Oil – 1 cup
Pro Tips for Making Culinary Herbal Oils
- Choose Fresh Herbs: Always select the freshest herbs for the best flavor and vibrant color.
- Proper Washing: Wash herbs thoroughly and remove any blemished areas.
- Blanching for Color: Blanching herbs briefly before blending can help preserve their bright green color. Then, dry them thoroughly to prevent any water from diluting the oil.
- Experiment with Blends: Don’t be afraid to experiment by combining different herbs to create unique flavor profiles.
How to Make Basil Oil
Find the full printable recipe with measurements below.
Making herbal oils is wonderfully easy and rewarding. Simply blend fresh herbs with extra virgin olive oil until smooth. Strain the mixture to remove herb particles, and store the oil in a dark glass bottle in the refrigerator. In just a few steps, you’ll have a delicious and versatile herbal oil to enhance any dish!
Here’s the easy way to make a Green Herbal Oil:
- Blanch herbs in boiling water for no more than 60 seconds.
- Chill the herbs in an ice water bath.
- Dry the herbs very well.
- Whirl the herbs and olive oil in a blender.
- Strain the oil through a lined mesh strainer.
- Decant the herbal oil into a glass bottle and store it in a cool, dark pantry.
Straining Pro Tip
Always line your mesh strainer with a dry flour sack towel or cheesecloth to catch any small bits and bobs of pulverized herbs you do not want to transfer to your finished herbal oil. This step will keep your oil as fresh as possible for as long as possible.
The BEST Way to Store Culinary Herbal Oils
When it comes to preserving your bright green herbal oil, you want to be sure to refrigerate it. Yes, the olive oil will solidify, but it will quickly liquefy once it is brought back to room temperature. When stored this way, your herbal oil will stay at its peak freshness for a few weeks. So only make as much as you think you might use in that time frame.
Alternatively, you can freeze herbal-infused oils. Ice cube trays are an ideal way to do this. Whenever you need to use your culinary herb oil, just remove one or two cubes. When stored in this way, your herbal oil will stay at its peak freshness for a few months.
The BEST Way to Buy and Store Fresh Herbs
Buying fresh herbs is a delightful way to elevate your cooking and add a burst of flavor to any dish. Whether you’re at the grocery store or a local farmers’ market, selecting the best herbs ensures your culinary creations are aromatic and tasty.
- Look for Bright Colors: Choose herbs that are bright in color, as this indicates freshness.
- Check for Firm Stems: Fresh herbs should have firm stems, not wilted or soft ones.
- Smell the Herbs: Fresh herbs should have a pleasant aroma.
- Avoid Wilting or Yellowing: Steer clear of herbs that show signs of wilting or yellowing, as they are past their prime.
- Buy in Small Bunches: Purchase herbs in small quantities to ensure you use them while they’re still fresh.
- Store Properly: Once home, store basil with its stems in a glass of water and a plastic bag popped over the leaves. Store other herbs properly by wrapping them in a damp paper towel and placing them in a plastic bag in the refrigerator.
The BEST Herbs to Stock in the Pantry
Want to learn all about the best herbs to grow or buy and keep stocked in your Four Corners Pantry? Then, check out the videos below, where I show you what to grow or buy and how to use herbs to make one of the best seasonings you’ll ever use!
- 10 Essential Medicinal Herbs to Grow in Your Garden
- 5 More Essential Medicinal Herbs to Grow in Your Garden
- How to Make Homemade Flavored Salt with Fresh Herbs
More Herbal Recipes
Interested in learning how to use herbs to make natural remedies, then be sure to check out the following videos:
- How to Make a Sixteenth Century Herbal Elixir
- Master Recipe for How to Make a Medicinal Herbal Soup
- How to Make Medicinal Herbal Syrups Using Any Herb
- How to Make Medicinal Herbal Tinctures Using Any Herb
- How to Make a Great Night’s Sleep Herb Tea
- How to Make a Natural Antibiotic Ointment
Looking for a Variety of Dried Herbs?
If you are looking for an excellent source for dry herbs, look no further than Farmhouse Teas. And even better, they are offering my sweet friends a 10% discount with code MarysNest10 off their wide selection of herbal tea blends and individual dry herbs, including:
And if you’re looking for a printed book full of my traditional foods recipes that shows you how to create a traditional foods kitchen, be sure to order your copy of my new bestselling book, The Modern Pioneer Cookbook.
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The Modern Pioneer Cookbook
Seasonal ingredients, traditional techniques, and nourishing recipes. Over 85 traditional, from-scratch recipes! Discover for yourself how you can use simple ingredients and traditional techniques to cook the modern pioneer way.
Download Your Free 36-Page Pantry List
For an extensive list of the traditional foods you can make and purchase to stock your pantry, be sure to download my free 36-page Traditional Foods Pantry List. This comprehensive eBook is full of links to recipe videos, helpful articles, and more!
Join the Traditional Foods Kitchen Academy
Are you looking for more traditional foods videos? If so, I invite you to join the Traditional Foods Kitchen Academy. Members of this optional paid YouTube community get access to exclusive videos and other members-only perks. Plus, your YouTube comments include a special members-only badge.
Kitchen Academy Videos
Discussing the Secrets to Perfect Green Herbal Oils
Let’s talk about the popularity of flavored herbal oils.
Are You Salt Sensitive or Salt Resistant? Get the Latest Salt Intake Research
Learn how your body may react to salt intake differently from others.
What Is the Best Time to Eat Dinner?
Find out if eating dinner early or late is best for you. You might be surprised!
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How to Make Fresh Herbal Oils That Are Always Green
Equipment
- 1 Flour sack towel or cheesecloth
- 1 glass bottle with tight-fitting cap
Ingredients
- 1 bunch fresh herbs I used basil
- 1 cup extra virgin olive oil
Instructions
- Fill a large bowl with water and ice cubes and set aside.
- Fill a medium saucepan halfway full of water and bring water to a boil over high heat.
- With water boiling, submerge herbs for no longer than 60 seconds.
- Remove herbs from boiling water and submerge into bowl with ice water.
- Once herbs have cooled completely, remove them from the bowl and dry them thoroughly.
- Add herbs and olive oil to a blender and blend for approximately 60 seconds, stopping after 30 seconds to scrape down the sides of the blender.
- Line a mesh strainer with a flour sack towel of cheesecloth and place it over a clean, dry bowl. Pour oil into the lined mesh strainer.
- Transfer oil into a glass bottle with a tight-fitting cap. Refrigerate oil.
- Oil will stay at peak freshness in the refrigerator for a few weeks. Or, if transferred to the freezer (in a freezer-proof container), the oil will stay at peak freshness for a few months.
Video
Notes
Shop for items used in this blog post or video
Favorite Herbal Oil Making Supplies
- Blender
- Flour Sack Towel
- Mesh Strainer
- Large Glass Measuring Cup
- Glass Bottle (Different than mine)
And if you’re looking for dried herbs, be sure to use my discount code for Farmhouse Teas.
Favorite Kitchen Supplies
- Favorite Aprons
- Spice Grinder
- Countertop Burner (On my kitchen island in many recipe videos.)
- Handheld Vacuum Sealing System
- Vacuum Lids
- Whisk
- Silica Gel Packets (Helps keep moisture from building up in your mix)
- Cast Iron Dutch Oven
- 8-Quart Slow-Cooker
- Fat Separator (Clever kitchen device to help you decant bone broth)
- Flour Sack Towels
- pH Strips (Helps you check on the acidity of your vinegar)
Amazon Shop and Shopping Guide
- Visit Mary’s Nest Amazon Shop
- Visit my Shopping Guide page
Get up to 15% off for stocking your Traditional Foods Pantry and equipping your Modern Pioneer Kitchen, including discounts from US Wellness Meats, Farmhouse Teas, Lehman's, Masontops, Cultures for Health, Survival Garden Seeds, Redmond Real Salt, Plan to Eat, and More!
