How To Make Cilantro Infused Olive Oil

You can make cilantro infused olive oil at home with just two ingredients and a little patience.
 
It’s one of the easiest ways to add a fresh, herbaceous kick to your cooking.
 
Whether you’re drizzling it over tacos, mixing it into dressings, or dipping crusty bread, cilantro infused olive oil brings a bright flavor that regular olive oil just can’t match.
 
The best part is that making cilantro infused olive oil doesn’t require fancy equipment or culinary training.
 
In this post, we’ll walk through exactly how to make cilantro infused olive oil, the methods you can use, and how to store it safely.
 
Let’s dive in.
 

How to Make Cilantro Infused Olive Oil

Learning how to make cilantro infused olive oil comes down to choosing the right method for your needs.
 
There are three main approaches, and each one gives you a slightly different result.
 

1. The Cold Infusion Method

The cold infusion method is the simplest way to make cilantro infused olive oil.
 
You gently warm the oil and let the cilantro steep in it without applying high heat.
 
This preserves the fresh, grassy notes of the cilantro while still pulling out plenty of flavor.
 
To do this, combine one cup of olive oil with one packed cup of washed and thoroughly dried cilantro leaves in a saucepan.
 
Warm it over the lowest heat for about 10 minutes, making sure the oil never bubbles or smokes.
 
Then remove it from the heat and let the cilantro infused olive oil cool completely.
 
Strain out the leaves through a fine mesh strainer or cheesecloth, and your cilantro infused olive oil is ready to use.
 

2. The Blender Method

If you want a cilantro infused olive oil with a deeper green color and more intense flavor, the blender method works beautifully.
 
Blend one cup of olive oil with one cup of fresh cilantro leaves on high for about 30 seconds.
 
The blades break down the cilantro cells, releasing more of those aromatic oils into the olive oil.
 
After blending, pour the mixture into a jar and let it sit in the fridge overnight.
 
The next day, strain the cilantro infused olive oil through a fine mesh strainer lined with cheesecloth.
 
This method gives you a vibrant cilantro infused olive oil that’s perfect for finishing dishes.
 

3. The Slow Oven Method

The slow oven method is a hands-off way to make cilantro infused olive oil.
 
Place your olive oil and cilantro in an oven-safe dish and set your oven to its lowest setting, usually around 150°F to 170°F.
 
Let the cilantro infused olive oil steep for about two hours.
 
The gentle heat coaxes out the cilantro’s flavor without frying it.
 
Once it’s done, strain the cilantro infused olive oil and store it in a clean bottle.
 
This method yields a smooth, mellow cilantro infused olive oil that’s great for cooking.
 

Tips for the Best Cilantro Infused Olive Oil

Getting the best cilantro infused olive oil comes down to a few key details.
 
First, always dry your cilantro leaves completely before infusing.
 
Any water left on the leaves can introduce bacteria and shorten the shelf life of your cilantro infused olive oil.
 
Second, use a good quality extra virgin olive oil.
 
Since olive oil is the base of your cilantro infused olive oil, its flavor matters.
 
A fresh, fruity extra virgin olive oil pairs wonderfully with cilantro.
 
Third, don’t overheat the oil.
 
High heat can make your cilantro infused olive oil taste bitter and destroy the delicate cilantro flavor.
 
Finally, taste as you go.
 
If you want a stronger cilantro infused olive oil, add more cilantro and steep it a bit longer.
 

How to Store Cilantro Infused Olive Oil

Proper storage keeps your cilantro infused olive oil fresh and safe to use.
 
Pour it into a clean glass bottle or jar with a tight-fitting lid.
 
Store your cilantro infused olive oil in the refrigerator, where it will last for about one to two weeks.
 
The cold temperature slows down spoilage and helps preserve the flavor.
 
You’ll notice the cilantro infused olive oil may solidify in the fridge, which is completely normal for olive oil.
 
Just let it sit at room temperature for a few minutes before using it.
 
If you want your cilantro infused olive oil to last longer, you can freeze it in ice cube trays.
 
Once frozen, pop the cubes into a freezer bag and use them as needed.
 
Frozen cilantro infused olive oil keeps for up to three months.
 

Safety Note

When you make cilantro infused olive oil at home, always be mindful of botulism risks with fresh herbs in oil.
 
That’s why refrigerating your cilantro infused olive oil and using it within two weeks is so important.
 
If you plan to store it at room temperature, you’ll need to acidify the cilantro first or use a different preservation method.
 
For most home cooks, keeping cilantro infused olive oil in the fridge is the easiest and safest choice.
 

So, How Do You Make Cilantro Infused Olive Oil?

You make cilantro infused olive oil by combining fresh cilantro with quality olive oil and letting the flavors meld through cold infusion, blending, or a slow oven method.
 
Each approach gives you a delicious cilantro infused olive oil that elevates everything from salads to grilled meats.
 
Just remember to dry your cilantro, avoid high heat, and store your cilantro infused olive oil in the fridge.
 
With these simple steps, you’ll have a batch of homemade cilantro infused olive oil ready to impress anyone at your table.
 
Enjoy every drizzle.