12 Affordable Olive Oils, Ranked Worst To Best
masa44/Shutterstock By Emily Alexander/Oct. 19, 2021 2:36 pm EST
We may receive a commission on purchases made from links. Buying olive oil can be overwhelming; in a grocery store, you’re sure to encounter at least 20 different bottles, all of a similar dark green hue. If you know how to cook anything, you probably know that olive oil is one of the most important ingredients in your toolbox — choose a bad oil and you might as well be using a bottle of canola. But many high quality olive oils can double your grocery bill. Is there a happy medium?
We scrounged the depths of the olive oil shelves to find you the best oils for your money — as little money as possible. From lighter olive oils that are best for cooking to the Mediterranean’s finest cold-pressed varieties (for a few extra bucks), we’ve got your roundup of the best, most affordable olive oils on the market. Below you’ll find an answer to your olive oil prayers and a guide to the grocery store for your next shopping trip.
- Kirkland Signature Organic
TonelsonProductions/Shutterstock
Samin Nosrat, queen of all things flavorful and good, shops at Costco like the rest of us. According to Huffpost, the celebrity chef of the acclaimed “Salt, Fat, Acid, Heat” cookbook and Netflix series, recommends stocking your shelves with none other than Kirkland Signature Organic Extra Virgin Olive Oil. Nosrat says the olive oil “regularly scores well on independent administered quality analyses,” and the price is, frankly, insane. For $13.49, you can get not one, but two liters of quality olive oil.
Though Kirkland’s olive oil lacks some of the accolades and complex processing techniques of other brands, it offers an organic, first cold-pressed alternative to those more expensive options. The flavor doesn’t suffer, and in fact, its full-bodied taste makes it perfect for using to sauté vegetables or drizzle over handmade bread. We’d eat anything endorsed by Samin Nosrat — and you can add this olive oil to any of it.
- OLEO
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For a slightly higher cost and slightly higher quality, Oleo’s extra virgin olive oil sells a 2-liter bottle for $30. Made in the Spanish region of Andalusia using a blend of Hojiblanca and Picual olives, it’s an excellent oil to use for cooking, thanks to its neutral taste and relative affordability. The renowned New York City chef, Nick Perkins told The Strategist that he uses Oleo “for all our hot cooking … It’s great for sofritos, roasting, marinating, and cooking vegetables.” Despaña suggests pairing this particular olive oil with chorizo, a popular tapa called boquerones which consists primarily of anchovies, or Spanish tortillas.
Though this olive oil can be somewhat difficult to find online, the Spanish retail website Despaña is a reliable source. According to The Strategist, many of Perkins’ New York restaurants, including The Fly, Hart’s, and Cervo’s sell Oleo’s olive oil at their weekly market pop-ups.
12 Affordable Olive Oils, Ranked Worst To Best
masa44/Shutterstock
By Emily Alexander/Oct. 19, 2021 2:36 pm EST
We may receive a commission on purchases made from links. Buying olive oil can be overwhelming; in a grocery store, you’re sure to encounter at least 20 different bottles, all of a similar dark green hue. If you know how to cook anything, you probably know that olive oil is one of the most important ingredients in your toolbox — choose a bad oil and you might as well be using a bottle of canola. But many high quality olive oils can double your grocery bill. Is there a happy medium?
We scrounged the depths of the olive oil shelves to find you the best oils for your money — as little money as possible. From lighter olive oils that are best for cooking to the Mediterranean’s finest cold-pressed varieties (for a few extra bucks), we’ve got your roundup of the best, most affordable olive oils on the market. Below you’ll find an answer to your olive oil prayers and a guide to the grocery store for your next shopping trip.
We may receive a commission on purchases made from links.
We scrounged the depths of the olive oil shelves to find you the best oils for your money — as little money as possible. From lighter olive oils that are best for cooking to the Mediterranean’s finest cold-pressed varieties (for a few extra bucks), we’ve got your roundup of the best, most affordable olive oils on the market. Below you’ll find an answer to your olive oil prayers and a guide to the grocery store for your next shopping trip.
12. Monini GranFrutatto
One-liter bottles run around $40, making this one of our pricier options — we recommend the splurge.
11. Colavita
10. Merula Extra Virgin Olive Oil
Made using four different kinds of olives from Spain, Merula is one of the most complex olive oils you’ll find on the shelves. According to Artisanal Foods, these disparate olive varieties each provide distinct flavor, such as hints of green apple and tomato, and a spiciness you won’t find in other olive oil brands.
While many assume that olive oil made from just one kind of olive yields a better product, that’s not always true, as proven by Merula’s Michelin star. As the product description explains, wine and chocolate may benefit from single varieties, but olive oil is different. In addition to this unique processing technique, Merula olives are picked only when they’ve reached peak ripeness, and they’re then used immediately. As of October 2021, a 500-milliliter bottle costs about $20, depending on where you buy it, so it’s not the cheapest option if you’re on a tight budget. Still, for the quality you’ll get from Merula, $20 is a steal.
While many assume that olive oil made from just one kind of olive yields a better product, that’s not always true, as proven by Merula’s Michelin star. As the product description explains, wine and chocolate may benefit from single varieties, but olive oil is different. In addition to this unique processing technique, Merula olives are picked only when they’ve reached peak ripeness, and they’re then used immediately.
As of October 2021, a 500-milliliter bottle costs about $20, depending on where you buy it, so it’s not the cheapest option if you’re on a tight budget. Still, for the quality you’ll get from Merula, $20 is a steal.
9. California Olive Ranch
While many people are loyal to their Italian olive oil brands, California-grown olives make oil that tastes just as good for a fraction of the price. The California Olive Ranch brand sources its olives from California farms and uses a method of farming in which the trees are planted closer together than usual. The olives are carefully tended to and harvested at peak ripeness. “You can’t make good olive oil with bad fruit,” CEO Michael Fox said of the company’s production process, adding, “It really is an art; it’s not just a science.”
The California Olive Ranch brand has received widespread acclaim for its oils over its 20+ years of production. A one-liter bottle of 100% California extra virgin olive oil costs less than $20 and offers a fresh, bright taste that can be used in any recipe. Product reviews boast an impressive 4.8 stars out of 5, with customers praising its distinct flavor and low price point.
The California Olive Ranch brand has received widespread acclaim for its oils over its 20+ years of production. A one-liter bottle of 100% California extra virgin olive oil costs less than $20 and offers a fresh, bright taste that can be used in any recipe. Product reviews boast an impressive 4.8 stars out of 5, with customers praising its distinct flavor and low price point.
8. Zoe
For as low as $12.75 per liter, Zoe’s EVOO is as affordable as it is tasty. The best part is, it’ll also add a little pizzazz to your shelves! For an extra fun olive oil treat, check out Zoe’s olive oil for kids — a blend with an enhanced buttery flavor and less spice.
7. Kirkland Signature Organic
TonelsonProductions/Shutterstock
Samin Nosrat, queen of all things flavorful and good, shops at Costco like the rest of us. According to Huffpost, the celebrity chef of the acclaimed “Salt, Fat, Acid, Heat” cookbook and Netflix series, recommends stocking your shelves with none other than Kirkland Signature Organic Extra Virgin Olive Oil. Nosrat says the olive oil “regularly scores well on independent administered quality analyses,” and the price is, frankly, insane. For $13.49, you can get not one, but two liters of quality olive oil.
Though Kirkland’s olive oil lacks some of the accolades and complex processing techniques of other brands, it offers an organic, first cold-pressed alternative to those more expensive options. The flavor doesn’t suffer, and in fact, its full-bodied taste makes it perfect for using to sauté vegetables or drizzle over handmade bread. We’d eat anything endorsed by Samin Nosrat — and you can add this olive oil to any of it.
Though Kirkland’s olive oil lacks some of the accolades and complex processing techniques of other brands, it offers an organic, first cold-pressed alternative to those more expensive options. The flavor doesn’t suffer, and in fact, its full-bodied taste makes it perfect for using to sauté vegetables or drizzle over handmade bread. We’d eat anything endorsed by Samin Nosrat — and you can add this olive oil to any of it.
6. OLEO
WS-Studio/Shutterstock
For a slightly higher cost and slightly higher quality, Oleo’s extra virgin olive oil sells a 2-liter bottle for $30. Made in the Spanish region of Andalusia using a blend of Hojiblanca and Picual olives, it’s an excellent oil to use for cooking, thanks to its neutral taste and relative affordability. The renowned New York City chef, Nick Perkins told The Strategist that he uses Oleo “for all our hot cooking … It’s great for sofritos, roasting, marinating, and cooking vegetables.” Despaña suggests pairing this particular olive oil with chorizo, a popular tapa called boquerones which consists primarily of anchovies, or Spanish tortillas.
Though this olive oil can be somewhat difficult to find online, the Spanish retail website Despaña is a reliable source. According to The Strategist, many of Perkins’ New York restaurants, including The Fly, Hart’s, and Cervo’s sell Oleo’s olive oil at their weekly market pop-ups.
Though this olive oil can be somewhat difficult to find online, the Spanish retail website Despaña is a reliable source. According to The Strategist, many of Perkins’ New York restaurants, including The Fly, Hart’s, and Cervo’s sell Oleo’s olive oil at their weekly market pop-ups.
5. Bertolli extra light
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4. O-Med Arbequina
In addition, O-Med is an environmentally conscious company, whose manufacturing practices reflect this mission. Their products are made using innovative sustainable techniques, including only packaging oils using glass or other recyclable materials.
Though the price is a little steep ($12.99 for 250 milliliters), it might be worth it if you’ve got pennies to spare.
3. Nunez de Prado
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2. Trader Joe’s Premium Greek Kalamata
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1. Whole Foods 365 Organic
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One consumer suggests using this oil primarily for cooking: “You won’t find any better evoo for less than double the price. It is not a super flavorful finishing oil (but, of course, those go for 3 x the price of this) but it is a great cooking oil and an excellent value.”
