I sometimes use affiliate links in content. This doesn’t cost you anything but I may make a commission payment from anything you buy through these links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. All opinions remain my own.
Cooking with essential oils can be a great way to add some flavour and cooking fragrance to your cooking, while also giving you the added benefits of cooking with healthy and natural ingredients.
Let’s take a look at the basics: what is cooking with essential oils? Why would you want to do it? What kind of things are appropriate for cooking with essential oils? And why should you avoid using certain ones when cooking?
Table of Contents
Why cook with essential oils?
Cooking with essential oils is a fun, simple way to flavour your food while providing you with the internal benefits of each oil. Depending on which kind of food you are making and what ingredients you are using, however, will dictate how best to use the oils.
For Italian dishes, Basil, Rosemary, and Thyme are the perfect additions. They can either be added during the heating process on the stove or oven (or after), but because essential oils are so concentrated you only need a few drops!
What do you need to watch for when picking oils
It’s important to mention that not all essential oils are safe for use in cooking. Those meant for scent or bath use might not be able to withstand the heat of a stovetop even though they’re fine for other uses.
To get started, you’ll need an arsenal of good tasting, healthy ingredients and some essential oils – these will come in handy for cooking, garnishing, and adding a nice natural fragrance.
Before you use oil in your recipe, be sure it is safe to cook with. The FDA lists a number of products that are not food safe and asks consumers to avoid these oils completely. You can also find many safety tips from Poison Control on their website.
Once you’re sure that the ingredient is appropriate for culinary purposes, feel free to get experimenting.
Practical tips
Now that we’ve got that tricky business out of the way, it’s time to explore what essential oils can be useful in the kitchen.
It’s important to note which essential oils are safe when cooking because some are not suitable for food preparation and may damage your utensils.
Essential oils can be used as substitutes for fresh herbs, citrus zest and juice, and spices such as oregano, lime juice, or ground clove.
Cooking with essential oils is a great way to add extra flavour and make your favourite dishes even more enjoyable. We recommend adding 1-2 drops of oil at first, or using the toothpick method for cooking when introducing them into new recipes. Give it a taste and then gradually add more according to preference.
What should you do before cooking with essential oils? Always read the label first!
How to use them as a flavour substitute
If you’re looking for new recipes that are quick, healthy and full of flavour, try cooking with essential oils. A few drops can easily replace citrus for lemon-flavoured dishes or other food items that require fresh ingredients like ginger and garlic.
Oregano, thyme and basil oils can be used to dress up many Italian recipes or even to add a little more flavour to store-bought pasta sauces. You should bear in mind, though, that these are strong oils so a drop or two of each will give you the desired flavour.
Pack a punch using essential oils
Essential oils are very potent, so they’re perfect for cooking if you need a flavorful punch. Just remember that essential oils are susceptible to heat, so be careful when you use them in hot recipes.
Add a hint of citrus by dropping one to two drops of lemon oil into your cup of black tea.
I enjoy using basil or rosemary oils, which I incorporate into my olive oil for dipping bread (such as this Italian-herb dip). This not only provides a delicious flavour but helps me maintain healthy cholesterol levels too!
How to cook with essential oils
The flavour of essential oils is more intense than extracts. As a result, just a few drops of oil is equivalent to about a teaspoon of the extract (e.g., lemon, almond or mint). Whether you are adding something in or substituting it out, keep this detail in mind and adjust your measurements accordingly.
Because essential oils are rarely used in cooking, it is even more important for the cook to know when to add them. A good rule of thumb is adding them toward the end of the cooking process, which will help preserve their flavour.
Recipes that require oils in advance (like for lemon desserts) can be intensified with a drop or two of the oil.
It is also worth noting that some oils are stronger than others. Cinnamon, clove, cumin, oregano and thyme are naturally very bold, so be careful. When you use these essential oils in your cooking dip a toothpick into the vial to pick up a small amount of oil instead of using the dropper.
Better to add cinnamon oil little by little than to ruin a recipe by accidentally adding too many drops!
Adding Essential Oils to Your Beverages
Another way to incorporate the benefits and taste of essential oils is through your drinks. For example, adding Lavender essential oil to lemonade gives it a refreshing flavour, or try putting lavender on top of your tea for a new twist on an old favourite.
Enhance plain water with Grapefruit essential oil by adding a few drops to the cup’s fill line. Stirring it periodically will give you rejuvenating and refreshing benefits, making it easier to drink enough each day.
Top Ten Essential Oils for Cooking
- Lemon – For adding to any dish that calls for lemon zest
- Lime – Add a few drops of an essential oil into your favorite marinade, salsa, or soup recipe that calls for lime juice or zest.
- Wild Orange – Add to desserts or switch out orange zest, buy right essential oil.
- Cardamom – Makes amazing chai-flavored vanilla ice cream, or add to brownies for a twist
- Peppermint (amazing in brownies, or anything chocolate!
- Thyme – If a recipe calls for thyme and I’m out of the herb, I substitute it with thyme essential oil many times
- Dill – Add to homemade dressings and dips
- Black Pepper – Add to marinades or meats
Using essential oils in new ways
Cooking with essential oils is a great way to enjoy cooking while also getting the benefits of essential oils. Essential oil cooking can be used in many different ways and there are so many recipes that they can work for, it just takes some creativity!
2 Comments