Quick answer: Olive oil is used for cooking (sautéing, frying, roasting, baking), raw on salads, dips and daal, as a pre-wash hair treatment, for massage, to soften dry heels, elbows and lips, to remove make-up, and around the home to condition wooden boards and loosen stuck zips. Extra virgin olive oil is the best grade for uses where you eat it raw or put it on your body.
In this guide
In the kitchen
- Salad dressing. Three parts olive oil, one part lemon juice or vinegar, salt and pepper.
- Drizzle over daal. A spoon of raw extra virgin olive oil on hot daal just before serving.
- Raita and dahi. Stir in a little olive oil with roasted cumin.
- Hummus and dips. Pour a pool of olive oil on top.
- Daal tarka. Fry cumin, garlic and chillies in olive oil.
- Salan and karahi. Cook onions and masala in olive oil instead of ghee. See best olive oil for cooking.
- Eggs. Fry or scramble eggs in olive oil on medium heat.
- Roasted vegetables. Toss potatoes, cauliflower or carrots in olive oil and roast.
- Shallow frying. Shami kebab, cutlets and fish.
- Paratha. Brush olive oil on parathas instead of ghee.
- Marinades. Mix with yoghurt, garlic and spices for chicken tikka or fish.
- Pasta. Toss with garlic, chilli and olive oil.
- Baking. Replace butter with olive oil in cakes and muffins, using about three quarters of the butter amount.
- Bread dip. Olive oil with a pinch of salt and za’atar or dried herbs.
- Popcorn. Pop corn in olive oil or drizzle it on top.
For hair and beauty
- Pre-wash hair oil. Warm one to two tablespoons, apply to lengths and scalp, leave 30 minutes, shampoo twice. See olive oil for hair.
- Split ends. One drop on the ends of dry hair after washing.
- Hair mask. Mix with yoghurt or egg yolk.
- Dry heels. Rub in at night and wear cotton socks.
- Elbows and knees. A few drops after a bath.
- Lip care. A drop on dry lips, or mix with sugar for a gentle scrub.
- Make-up remover. A few drops on cotton, then wash your face.
- Cuticles. Rub into dry nail cuticles.
- Shaving. A thin layer helps the razor glide on legs.
Note: olive oil is not ideal for everyone’s skin. Read olive oil for skin before using it on your face or on babies.
For massage
- Body massage. Warm oil, long strokes towards the heart. See olive oil for massage.
- Foot massage. Before bed, with socks afterwards.
- Head massage. Fingertip circles on the scalp for five to ten minutes.
Around the home
- Wooden chopping boards and spoons. Rub in a thin layer to stop them drying and cracking. Wipe off the excess.
- Stuck zips and squeaky hinges. A drop on a cotton bud.
- Removing stickers and glue. Rub olive oil on sticker residue, wait a few minutes, then wipe.
Some people also use olive oil to polish leather or wooden furniture. Test a small hidden area first, because oil can darken some finishes.
Which olive oil for which use?
| Use | Best grade |
|---|---|
| Eating raw, salads, dips | Extra virgin |
| Everyday cooking | Extra virgin |
| Deep frying in bulk | Refined olive oil or pomace oil |
| Hair, skin, massage | Extra virgin |
| Wooden boards, zips, stickers | Any olive oil |
Our 250 ml bottle is a good size to keep in the bathroom for hair and skin, and the 1 litre bottle suits the kitchen.
Frequently asked questions
What are the uses of extra virgin olive oil?
Cooking, salads, dips, finishing dishes, hair treatments, massage, and softening dry skin on heels, elbows and lips.
Can olive oil be used for everything?
Almost. It is not ideal for very high-heat commercial deep frying on cost grounds, and it is not recommended for babies’ skin or people with eczema without medical advice.
Can I use cooking olive oil on my hair?
Yes, if it is extra virgin. It is the same oil.