Sauces and marinades made with olive oil are easy to make and are tastier and healthier than ones made with other oils and fats. Below are olive oil based sauces that are bright and flavorful. They pair perfectly with grilled meats, fish, and roasted vegetables, or they can simply be used as a dipping sauce. Make a batch and pour on any dish that needs a little kick!
Avocado-Lime Sauce Vierge
- 1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil
- 1/2 medium avocado, pitted, diced
- 1 jalapeño, seeded, finely chopped
- 1 garlic clove, finely chopped
- 1 teaspoon finely chopped shallot
- 2 limes, halved
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh basil
- 1 tablespoon coarsely chopped fresh cilantro leaves
- Fine sea salt and freshly ground black pepper
Full recipe: Bon Appétit
Fast and Easy Romesco Sauce
- 2 large roasted red bell peppers from a jar
- 1/2 cup whole roasted almonds
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 2 1/2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley
- 1 clove garlic
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon cayenne
- 1/2 cup olive oil
- 1 1/2 teaspoons salt
- black pepper
Full recipe: Nyssa's Kitchen
Charmoula
- 1 1/2 cups chopped cilantro
- 1 1/2 cups chopped parsley
- 2 tablespoons toasted and ground cumin seeds
- 2 cloves garlic
- salt, to taste
- freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- 3/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
Full recipe: Saveur
Chimichurri Sauce
- 1 cup (packed) fresh Italian parsley
- 1/2 cup olive oil
- 1/3 cup red wine vinegar
- 1/4 cup (packed) fresh cilantro
- 2 garlic cloves, peeled
- 3/4 teaspoon dried crushed red pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
Full recipe: Epicurious
Olive Oil Béchamel
- 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 2 tablespoons finely chopped shallot or onion (optional)
- 2 tablespoons flour
- 2 cups low-fat (1 percent) milk
- salt, to taste
- freshly ground white or black pepper
Full recipe: New York Times
Ladolemono (Lemon and Olive Oil Sauce)
- 1/4 cup fresh lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
- 1 tablespoon dried oregano
- 1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil
- Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
Full recipe: Saveur