Mint Infused Herbal Oil (Printable Version)
Aromatic mint-infused oil delivers a refreshing herbal touch to dishes with ease and vibrant flavor.
# What You Need:
→ Fresh Herbs
01 - 1 cup packed fresh mint leaves, washed and dried
→ Oil
02 - 1 cup neutral oil (such as grapeseed or sunflower oil)
→ Optional
03 - Pinch of salt
# How to Make It:
01 - Bring a small saucepan of water to a rolling boil and prepare a separate bowl filled with ice water.
02 - Submerge the fresh mint leaves in the boiling water for 10 seconds, then immediately transfer them to the ice water to halt cooking. Drain thoroughly and pat dry with paper towels.
03 - Combine the blanched mint leaves and neutral oil in a blender. Process on high speed for 1 to 2 minutes until the mixture is vibrantly green and the leaves are finely pureed.
04 - Pass the mixture through a fine-mesh sieve or cheesecloth into a clean container, pressing firmly to extract as much oil as possible.
05 - Optionally add a pinch of salt to taste. Transfer the oil to a sealed bottle or jar and refrigerate for up to one week.
# Expert Tips:
01 -
- It transforms ordinary vegetables and grilled meats into something restaurant-worthy with just a single drizzle.
- Fresh mint oil stays vibrant green and tasting bright for up to a week, unlike dried herbs that fade fast.
- You'll feel genuinely clever making something so simple that tastes sophisticated enough to gift to friends.
02 -
- Never skip the blanching step—raw mint oil tastes bitter and the color fades to murky brown within days, but blanched mint stays bright and tastes clean.
- If you use olive oil instead of neutral oil, it will solidify in the fridge and overpower the delicate mint, so save that experiment for another day.
03 -
- If your blender seems to struggle, add the oil gradually while blending rather than all at once—it helps the motor run smoothly and ensures even emulsification.
- For the clearest, brightest oil, strain once through cheesecloth, then strain again through a coffee filter for a second pass—the extra effort pays off in appearance and delicate flavor.