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Ina Garten's favorite olive oil is fruity, flavorful and on rare sale for $22
The Barefoot Contessa has been a devotee of California's Olio Santo EVOO for 20+ years: 'I use it for everything.'
Everyone loves Ina Garten. And whether you're looking for a gift for a foodie or just need an expert-approved EVOO for your own kitchen, we highly recommend using the Barefoot Contessa as inspiration. The celebrity chef fell for the light and lovely Olio Santo Extra-Virgin Olive Oil over 20 years ago and has been devoted to it ever since. Now, when her recipes call for "good olive oil," we all know which one she really means. And you're in luck, because Garten's go-to is on sale at Amazon.
This is a light, cold-pressed California oil that fans say is tasty enough for fancy recipes and straight-up dips alike, yet affordable enough for everyday meals.
Why is it a good deal? 💰
While a price drop of $2 isn't the most massive markdown ever, this olive oil rarely goes on sale, so we'll take a discount while we can! And if you plan on stocking up on a few bottles, those savings will definitely add up.
Why do I need this? 🤔
We first learned about Garten's fave after Bon Appetit studied her home studio kitchen (that's where the magic happens) and found it stocked with Olio Santo. The star confessed to the mag: "I like California olive oil better than I like Italian. It's fruitier. It doesn't have that little turpentine-y edge, or bitterness from the olives. I use it for everything. I use it for sautéing. I use it for dipping. I use it for finishing a salad.
"My favorite one is Olio Santo," she continued. "I would say I've been using it for the 20 years that I've been writing cookbooks, but probably long before that too."
Olio Santo can be used on salads, in cooking or as a finishing oil, or enjoyed simply with a fresh baguette. This oil is so versatile that Garten called it one of the seven staple ingredients every home chef should have in their cupboards. Each bottle is now harvest-dated, so you can be assured that you're getting the freshest possible oil.
What reviewers say 💬
Amazon shoppers love this oil too. It's constantly selling out, and over 800 shoppers give it a five-star rating.
Pros 👍
"This olive oil is fantastic! Perfect for your favorite Italian recipes," said one customer. "It also makes a great dipping oil. Just add some herbs and perhaps some parmesan cheese. This oil is worth every penny."
"This is Ina Garten's preferred olive oil, so I tried it," shared another fan. "I particularly liked the pour from the bottle. I could get the lightest drizzle. [The] olive oil was good too. I have repurchased this item."
A third impressed reviewer also took the tip from Ina and has been obsessed ever since: "It surpassed my expectations!" they wrote. "I love the aroma, I love the taste and I'm so happy I bought it. ... Best olive oil I've ever used."
Cons 👎
"I tried this EVOO because Ina Garten recommended it; said it was her favorite," shared a pleased user. "And I have to say, I do love it. Many EVOOs have a bitter taste at the end." That said, they added, "Since this one is pricey, I save it [as] a dip along with a balsamic glaze for bread. I also use it in salad dressings."
A final reviewer said that while the quality is good, the olive oil is a bit "too mild for my taste." They continued: "I like a bold, grassy taste with a little peppery after-kick in my EVOO."
Can't make your own olive oil? Say it with us: Store-bought is fine.
As for another Ina Garten-approved kitchen essential that's on sale...
Lodge has been in the cast iron business since 1896, so they know a thing or two about crafting sturdy pieces designed to withstand practically any cooking environment. This skillet is no exception; it can be used on all cooktops, is oven-safe and can even be placed over a grill or open flame. Lodge pans are so durable, people often pass them down to younger generations.
Another thing we love about this pan? It's made of iron and oil — no PFOAs or PTFEs, which gives us peace of mind about cooking without "forever chemicals." No wonder it's one of 12 pieces of cookware Garten links to on her website.
Check out our full Lodge Cast Iron Skillet review for more.
If you have Amazon Prime, you'll get free shipping, of course. Not yet a member? No problem. You can sign up for your free 30-day trial here. (And by the way, those without Prime still get free shipping on orders of $35 or more.)
The reviews quoted above reflect the most recent versions at the time of publication.