The best olive oil for cooking in India can be extra virgin, extra light, or pomace olive oil. Among these, extra virgin olive oil (EVOO) is considered the most nutritious and can be used with or without heating. Extra virgin olive oil is produced by crushing fresh olives, known botanically as Olea europaea, without chemical refining or high heat. This process, known as cold-pressing, helps retain the oil’s natural nutritional value. When incorporated into the diet, EVOO can support overall wellness if dishes are chosen wisely and prepared mindfully. However, you should use the best olive oil in India from reputed brands to enjoy its authentic taste and health benefits.
This blog guides you through 5 healthy recipes using Extra Virgin Olive Oil (EVOO), so read till the end.
5 Healthy Recipes Prepared with Extra Virgin Olive Oil
Not every olive oil is extra virgin. While buying, check the label for terms like “extra virgin” and “cold-pressed.” Spanish imported olive oil is often considered among the finest in quality, so it is also worth checking the country of origin. Use the best extra virgin olive oil to prepare these 5 recommended recipes and incorporate them into your daily diet.
1. Drizzle Extra Virgin Olive Oil on Fresh Fruit Bowl
Having fruits daily is healthy, and adding EVOO makes them even more nutritious. For those with digestion issues, including papaya in your fruit bowl provides vitamin C and may help relieve constipation. During summer, watermelon is a great choice because of its high water content. Adding apples, oranges, kiwi, and berries is also an excellent way to load your fruit bowl with nutrients. Once the fruits are in the bowl, drizzle EVOO over them to add an extra layer of nutrition.
EVOO is known for its high content of monounsaturated fats (MUFA) and natural antioxidants, which support heart health and offer protective benefits. Having a fruit bowl topped with EVOO daily can help support your nutritional needs.
Drizzling any EVOO will not help. Only the best olive oil in India from reputed oil brands are traditionally cold-pressed, holding bioactive compounds in their natural state. Make sure you use the best quality EVOO to drizzle over your fruit bowl.
2. Finish Pasta Dishes with Extra Virgin Olive Oil
Pasta is a popular Italian dish made from wheat flour dough. Both its taste and nutritional value can be enhanced with the addition of the best extra virgin olive oil. Pasta has become a commonly preferred dish, especially among Gen Z, and can be prepared in many different ways. One of the healthiest methods is preparing it with vegetables like broccoli, bell peppers, mushrooms, and sweet corn. Another healthy option is drizzling EVOO over the pasta after it is cooked. Some people also prefer adding freshly chopped garlic (Allium sativum) and basil (Ocimum basilicum). The retained heat in the pasta helps spread the rich aroma of EVOO evenly without significantly affecting its nutrients.
Garlic is known for its sulfur compounds and antioxidant properties, while basil provides beneficial plant nutrients. EVOO itself contains monounsaturated fats (MUFA), vitamin E, and natural polyphenols that support heart health. Pasta can be both light and nutritious when finished with a drizzle of EVOO.
For the best results, avoid overheating EVOO at very high temperatures and choose the best olive oil for cooking while preparing healthy pasta dishes. Selecting the best olive oil in India from trusted cold-pressed oil brands is equally important, as high-quality EVOO retains its natural aroma, antioxidants, and bioactive compounds more effectively.
3. Add Extra Virgin Olive Oil to Paneer Bhurji
Paneer is also known as Indian cottage cheese and is a favourite dish among vegetarians and non-vegetarians. Paneer bhurji is also a popular dish in India wherein paneer is finely chopped into very small pieces and prepared by stirring it with onions, capsicum, tomatoes, and spices. This dish becomes more flavourful when it is prepared with high-quality extra virgin olive oil. The output you get using EVOO is a non-greasy and tasty paneer bhurji.
Paneer is naturally rich in protein and calcium, and adding EVOO to it makes paneer bhurji an ultimate healthy dish for families. Capsicum, on the other hand, contains vitamin C and natural antioxidants that add both colour and nutrition.
To get the real benefits, paneer bhurji needs to be cooked at medium heat, which is around 160 to 170 degrees Celsius. Adding EVOO at the end helps preserve its natural aroma and nutrients while blending smoothly with the spices.
Using the best olive oil for cooking in India, especially cold-pressed EVOO, is vital as this olive oil variant retains natural nutrients, helping balance taste and health.
Choosing the best olive oil in India from reputed cold-pressed oil brands is equally important, as good-quality EVOO retains its monounsaturated fats (MUFA), vitamin E, and natural polyphenols.
30 Powerful Polyphenols in Extra Virgin Olive Oil: Health Benefits and Why EVOO is Best
4. Roast Makhana in Extra Virgin Olive Oil
Makhana, also known as fox nuts (Euryale ferox), has gained increased popularity in India. Roasted makhana is categorized as a healthy snack, especially when prepared with extra virgin olive oil. This combination of makhana and EVOO makes the snack healthy and nutritious.
To prepare this snack, makhana needs to be roasted on low to medium heat, maintaining a temperature between 140 to 160 degrees Celsius until it turns light golden and crunchy. Most people prefer topping roasted makhana with black pepper (Piper nigrum), turmeric (Curcuma longa), chaat masala, or peri peri for extra flavour. Black pepper contains piperine, a natural compound known to support better nutrient absorption, while turmeric contributes curcumin and antioxidant properties. Makhana itself is naturally low in fat and is considered a good source of magnesium and plant-based protein.
Roasting makhana in EVOO does not make it heavy; rather, its light texture is maintained. The smooth texture of EVOO coats the makhana evenly and enhances the overall taste without overpowering the spices. This makes it a perfect snack that is healthy for both adults and children.
To prepare healthy roasted makhana, choose the best olive oil in India, especially high-quality EVOO, from trusted cold-pressed oil brands.
5. Brush Stuffed Kulchas with Extra Virgin Olive Oil
Stuffed kulchas are one of the most loved North Indian dishes, especially in Delhi. They are prepared with garlic, paneer, or spiced potato stuffing. Kulchas become more flavourful and healthier when brushed with high-quality extra virgin olive oil, considered among the best olive oils in India. Brushing EVOO on kulchas does not make them greasy; rather, it adds a mild peppery flavour.
Kulchas are usually made from whole wheat flour and can be brushed with EVOO mixed with crushed garlic and chopped coriander leaves (Coriandrum sativum) after cooking. Applying EVOO once the kulcha cools slightly below 120 degrees Celsius helps preserve the natural aroma and nutrients of the oil more effectively. Garlic adds strong flavour along with beneficial sulfur compounds, while coriander leaves contribute vitamin K and natural antioxidants that support everyday nutrition.
Compared to butter-loaded versions, kulchas brushed with EVOO feel lighter on the stomach, which is one reason many people are choosing the best olive oil for cooking in India for its health benefits. Selecting the best olive oil in India from reputed cold-pressed oil brands also matters because only high-quality EVOO contains beneficial fats and antioxidants in their natural form.
Also Read: Extra Virgin Olive Oil Benefits: Health Benefits Backed by Science You Need to Know
Conclusion
Many more recipes can be prepared using the best olive oil for cooking in India, especially extra virgin olive oil. Although EVOO is the highest grade of olive oil, it has a relatively low smoke point, making it suitable for low- to medium-heat cooking. It is loaded with healthy fats, antioxidants, and other bioactive compounds. These beneficial properties are best retained in high-quality extra virgin olive oil. Hence, it is crucial to buy from reputed oil brands offering the best cooking oils in India, such as Jivo Wellness.
Jivo Wellness imports EVOO from Spain, known for high-grade olive cultivation. Jivo EVOO is cold-pressed and naturally contains vitamin E along with other nutrients. You can trust Jivo’s extra virgin olive oil for preparing nutritious dishes without altering the original flavour of the ingredients. For drizzling, topping, and low- to medium-heat cooking, choose the best olive oil in India.
Also Read: How to Identify Fake Extra Virgin Olive Oil and the Best Brand for Indian Kitchens