The 10 Best Olive Oils of 2024, According to Our Taste Test

Best Overall

California Olive Ranch Everyday Extra Virgin Olive Oil

$14 at Amazon View on Walmart Orig. $24 $14 at Target

This EVOO from California Olive Ranch checks all of our boxes for what a versatile pantry staple should be: mild in flavor for ease of use, cost-effective, sturdy, and high-quality. It’s no wonder that after testing at home and in our lab we crowned it the best of the best.

All of California Olive Ranch’s oils are certified extra virgin by a third-party lab that tests the chemical and sensory properties of the oil. The extra virgin olive oil is also certified kosher, verified non-GMO, and carries a seal from the Olive Oil Commission of California (OOCC).

Picking it up we noticed the dark green glass bottle is thick and protective, so it shouldn’t shatter on you if dropped. It is easy to pour and the oil is a luminous golden, slightly greenish-yellow, just as you’d expect olive oil to be. This oil doesn’t have a strong smell, but we forgot all about that as soon as it hit our tongues. 

We tasted it with some fresh bread in addition to slurping it in our hand—and with both, we were met with a light, slightly grassy neutral flavor. There was a tiny bit of bitterness in the back of the throat as an aftertaste, but nothing too strong. 

The oil’s name, the "Everyday" blend, is right on par with what we have since used it for. If you only have room in your pantry for one, this should be it. We put it in our cabinet and have reached for it for the last 12 months after our initial testing and are still pleased with its quality. It still has a light and grassy taste without a ton of bitterness, along with a very subtle smell. The color has turned more pale yellow than the greenish-yellow we saw upon the first pour.

We love pairing this versatile oil with herbs for dipping, drizzling on salads, lightly coating vegetables for a lower-temperature roasting, or using it when baking and making sauces. There are a few sizes available, too, so you can get one that fits your needs.

Size: 16.9, 25.4, and 33.8 ounces | Grade: Extra virgin | Processing: Cold-pressed | Origin: California, Argentina, Chile, and Portugal

Best for Dipping

Heraclea Mature Harvest

$33 at Amazon $30 at Heraclea.co

A good dipping olive oil needs to have enough flavor to shine on its own or complement anything else that goes with it (like balsamic vinegar, spices, cheese, etc.). We taste-tested both of Heraclea’s extra virgin olive oil options, the Early Harvest and the Mature Harvest. The latter impressed us a lot…so much so that we refilled the testing bowl to keep dipping fresh bread into.

It has a strong flavor but is nothing overwhelming. It is slightly thick but easy to pour thanks to the bottle’s wide mouth and it coated our bread well during testing. It did not soak it to the core and make things mushy, and also coated our mouth well enough to leave a lasting flavor. In the end, we think this olive oil tastes like it belongs in a high-end restaurant served with warm bread and aged balsamic vinegar.

One bottle will cost you more than others on the market, but it is easily resealable and looks nice, making it a great addition to the countertop or gift. We tried keeping this one to test its longevity—but we used it for dipping so much at home, that it ran out within a month or two. We have since purchased another bottle!

Size: 16.9 ounces | Grade: Extra virgin | Processing: Cold-pressed | Origin: Turkey

Best for Cooking

Graza Drizzle & Sizzle Extra-Virgin Olive Oil

$46 at Amazon View on Graza.co $37 at Bespokepost.com

While our favorite olive oil dispensers are not squeezable bottles, the trend has quickly taken off, and much of the thanks should be given to the brand Graza. We knew we needed to try this one out during our taste test, and admit we were surprised at how easy both bottles are to use. There’s something about tipping the bottle over a hot pan, giving it a pinch, and watching the oil sizzle really makes you feel like a proper chef. (At least it did for us!)

The "Sizzle" oil itself is not the most potent, grassy, and peppery EVOO out there, but that’s not too big of a deal when it is made to be cooked with. If you want an option with a bit more flavor, go for the brand’s "Drizzle" variety, which is made from Spanish olives harvested a month before those that go into "Sizzle".

Our only gripe with these bottles is that during our initial test, we noticed dripping when turned upside down, even if you’re not squeezing. Keep the cap twisted firmly counterclockwise to keep this from happening until you are 100 percent ready to use.

We've continued to use these two in our kitchen since testing, and are still enjoying it. The oil itself has stayed fresh as far as we know, but the bottles continue to drip. We have dropped the entire thing from the cabinet onto the counter and the floor quite a few times. (Who else is a clumsy cook?) Despite this, no oil spilled and the plastic bottle is still in tact, however, there has been some oil in our cabinet where the "Drizzle" sits and there is a lot of oil around the top portion of the bottle.

Size: 25.3 ounces | Grade: Extra virgin | Processing: Cold-pressed | Origin: Spain

Best Flavored

Costabile Orange Infused Olive Oil

$24 at Amazon

Despite being by far the smallest bottle of olive oil we tested, the Costabile Orange Infused Olive Oil surprised us more than any other. Other olive oils on the market are flavored with things like truffle, garlic, herbs, or spices, and while is it known that olive oil and citrus go well together, we were not expecting the flavor this bottle encapsulates. 

The orange doesn’t hit your tongue until later, with the extra virgin olive oil taking center stage first, giving off a soft, smooth punch. The orange is almost unexpected but would work well on salads, vegetables, pasta, meat, fish, and in baked goods…or alone alongside fresh bread.

This is another olive oil we have tested long-term, and it is just as good over 12 months later as it was then. The smell and flavor are still strong, although the color has faded a bit.

Our one complaint about this flavored olive oil is the size of the bottle. Everything else about it is wonderful—it has a drop-free cap so there is no mess when pouring, and comes in a UV-safe dark glass bottle that has kept it fresh in our cabinet. It is tall but skinny, and only comes with 8.45 ounces of oil. It is an expensive option for the price, especially if you are like us and end up using a lot each time you pull it out because it is that delicious. However, it is a really great option to give as a gift.

Size: 8.45 ounces | Grade: Extra virgin | Processing: Cold-pressed | Origin: Italy

Best for Baking

Partanna Extra Virgin Olive Oil

$35 at Amazon

We first taste tested this olive oil plain and with a piece of fresh bread, but immediately knew there were some flavor undertones—like nuts and citrus—that are often found in desserts. So we got to baking! (And ignored the dent on the side of the large tin we got, which did not affect the quality of the oil as far as we know.)

We made an olive oil cake that calls for a little over 1 cup of olive oil, plus more for covering the springform pan and brushing onto the baked cake. Partanna’s EVOO not only made it moist, but helped bring out a fresh, floral taste and smell. The orange, lemon, and sugar in the ingredients also brought down the EVOO's grassiness but didn’t overshadow it. Over 12 months later we made the same olive oil cake with the same olive oil. It was just as fruity, grassy, and rich as we remembered.

If you’re not convinced, let us say that we have years of research and many tins behind this pick. "Partanna has been my olive oil of choice for almost all cooking and baking for around a decade," says Senior Food Editor Megan Scott, who admits she buys enough to always have a backup in the pantry. "It's a highly versatile olive oil because it has a nice, rich flavor without being overwhelmingly peppery or grassy, so it's right at home in baked goods as well as savory cooking."

Size: 34 ounces | Grade: Extra virgin | Processing: Cold-pressed | Origin: Italy

Best Organic

La Tourangelle Organic Smooth & Fruity Extra Virgin Olive Oil

Orig. $33 $27 at Amazon $23 at IHerb $23 at Latourangelle.com

La Tourangelle has quite an array of oils, but this one surprised us more than its counterpart, the Bright and Peppery Organic Extra Virgin Olive Oil. Despite its name—Smooth and Fruity—we found this one to be the more flavorful of the two. 

During our taste test, this one was soft at the beginning then gave way to a mellow taste that still hit the back of the throat. The brand’s other option other did not. The oil was easy to pour from the large circular aluminum can. It may be hard to grip for those with limited mobility or strength in the arms or hands—but the spout has a lip, making the actual pour smooth with no mess. A few months after our initial test, we dropped this bottle on the kitchen floor and the top broke, so we decided to toss what was left inside—which wasn't much, for what it's worth! We reached for this option quite a bit for everyday uses.

One Internet search will tell you this newer EVOO is not as widely available as the other version. It’s still worth it, though, especially if you’re looking for a high-quality organic option. La Tourangelle sources its certified organic olives from Andalucia, Spain—the ones that go into the Smooth and Fruity oil are harvested earlier in the season and cold-pressed soon after harvesting.

Size: 25.4 ounces | Grade: Extra virgin | Processing: Cold-pressed | Origin: Spain

Best for Salads

Brightland Alive

$37 at Brightland.co

It only took one taste for us to become convinced that Brightland’s Alive extra virgin olive oil belongs on top of a bed of leafy greens. We were very impressed with the light, subtle taste that still was peppery but smooth. The consistency is also thinner than some other EVOOs on the market, making it ideal for covering lettuce.

But, honestly, the greens is not required. The taste is so smooth and grassy that it adds the flavor of spinach, romaine, arugula, watercress, and other greens on its own—so that means it is great on salads that don’t have any of those involved, like a fruit salad, a fennel and avocado salad, or a black bean and rice salad.

This popular one is a bit pricier than others, but should last if you are only using a few tablespoons as a salad dressing. We've been using it for over 12 months and still approve. The cork-style cap makes it easy to reseal and keeps out oxygen, too. The color is a little bit less bright, and the taste is a bit lighter, but overall it is still delicious.

It also makes a great gift—it comes in a pack of two with the brand’s other EVOO option "Awake" on Amazon.

Size: 12.7 ounces | Grade: Extra virgin | Processing: Cold-pressed | Origin: California

Best for Gifting

Kosterina Flavor Trio

$75 at Kosterina.com

Olive oil is the perfect food item to give as a gift…it is versatile enough to use in lots of ways around the kitchen. After tasting the three flavors in this set, we instantly knew it was one that would be great for gifting to someone as a housewarming, holiday, birthday, or other kind of gift. 

The Garlic is fragrant and lightly garlicky without any chunks or powders. The Spicy Red Pepper is just as its name describes—the kick it has isn’t super intense and fits in with most pallets and the darker reddish amber is unique amongst the three. The Greek Herb & Lemon might be our favorite of the bunch because of how refreshing it tastes. All three are infused with the flavors but are made from the brand’s signature cold-pressed Extra Virgin Olive Oil. We love that while these come in a set of three for a relatively high price, all three are sold individually on Amazon.

Part of a good gift goes beyond what the product is—it’s also about what it looks like. These three bottles are slim and smooth, covered in matte white, and come in a blue box. The company packages them so they don’t bump into each other during shipping, which is much appreciated because the bottles can be scratched. Ours had a few blemishes out of the box but luckily they weren't too noticeable.

However, after living in our cabinet for a year, scratches and dings are not unusual. We still use the Greek Herb & Lemon and the Garlic, but unfortunately, the Spicy Red Pepper didn't survive when we moved. (The long, skinny neck broke in a box but luckily was sitting in a clear plastic storage bin and didn't cause any damage to the cardboard, which could have risked damage to the other olive oils we've been storing.)

As for the quality of the oil after all this time, both still have a good amount of aroma—but we're slightly disappointed in the taste which is less sharp as it was after the initial taste test. The Greek Herb & Lemon is especially lighter in all aspects, but we have used this one the most of the three over the last year.

Size: 12.7 ounces | Grade: Extra virgin | Processing: Cold-pressed | Origin: Greece

Best Budget

Filippo Berio Extra Virgin Olive Oil

Orig. $30 $18 at Amazon $8 at Walmart

Sometimes when you go for the "budget" option you are left with food less flavorful and underwhelming. Our testing process was not blind, but if it were we probably would not have guessed the price of this one. There is not an overwhelming olive oil smell that enters the air when you open or pour this EVOO, so it came as a big surprise when we tasted it on a piece of bread and via the traditional olive oil tasting method in the palm of our hand. Sure, smell is a big factor in flavor, but it doesn’t affect it in this case. 

Filippo Berio’s Extra Virgin Olive Oil is grassy, bold, and makes you cough. (It is a cold-pressed blend of olives from five countries and 100 percent olive oil while some other budget options are not.) It would be a great, cheaper addition to any pantry—and comes in a plethora of sizes from 8.4 to over 100 ounces—at a reasonable price. The brand recommends using it for cooking under 400 degrees Fahrenheit, or for marinating, drizzling, or sautéing. We've done just that in the dozen-ish months since first taste-testing this one. There's still not much of a smell, and the taste and color have faded a bit, but we think it's still a solid option for the price.

Size: 8.4, 16.9, 25.3, 50.7, and 101.4 ounces | Grade: Extra virgin | Processing: Cold-pressed | Origin: Italy, Spain, Greece, Portugal, and Tunisia

Best Bulk Buy

L’estornell Extra Virgin Olive Oil

$33 at Amazon

Olive oil and wine have long been used in many of the same meals and dishes, so we aren’t embarrassed to admit that pulling this option out of the box made us think we got wine instead of a large bottle of olive oil. Upon tasting it, we weren’t too disappointed. 

This is a typical EVOO; it is smooth, slightly grassy, and not too peppery, but still hits the back of the throat. At 25.3 ounces, which is about 0.75 liters or a little over 1.5 pounds, this option should last you a few loaves of bread. We love, though, that because of its design, it is a great EVOO to keep out on the counter or table. (Especially if you can’t fit the tall bottle in your pantry.) Its dark glass will also keep out any light to aid in keeping it from spoiling.

Despite its size, the oil comes out very, very slowly, which is a blessing and a curse. It makes it take longer to get the appropriate amount out, but this helps reduce the amount of oxygen going into the bottle so the olive oil stays fresher longer. With the bottle’s size, this is extremely important.

After keeping and using this one for a year, we have to say that the slow pouring is more of a pro than we thought. This extra virgin olive oil still tastes light and grassy, with a noticeable kick in the back of your throat. Thanks to the bottle's design, it doesn't taste like it's been in a bottle in a kitchen cabinet for 12 months. What's surprised us most with this option is how often we reach for it to dip sourdough or whole wheat bread in.

Size: 25.3 ounces | Grade: Extra virgin | Processing: Cold-pressed | Origin: Spain