Thyme Olive Oil (Easy Herb-Infused Olive Oil Recipe)

Learn how to make thyme olive oil at home and discover simple ways to use it in your favorite recipes. This fragrant herb-infused olive oil is perfect for salad dressings, roasted vegetables, crusty bread, pizza, pasta, and marinades.

Making infused olive oil is one of my favorite ways to preserve herbs. Every year, I fill my pantry shelves with homemade herb oils using everything from culinary herbs like thyme, oregano, and rosemary to seasonal plants I forage, such as elderflowers and yarrow. Each herb creates a completely different flavor and aroma, making every oil infusion unique.

What I love most about thyme infused olive oil is its savory, herbaceous flavor. It instantly elevates simple dishes with very little effort. Many people are surprised by how easy it is to infuse olive oil at home and how expensive similar gourmet bottles can be at a deli or specialty food store.

What is Thyme infused Olive Oil?

Thyme infused olive oil is simply olive oil that has been infused with thyme, allowing the herb to slowly release its flavor and aroma into the oil. The result is a fragrant, herbaceous oil that can instantly elevate simple dishes.

Unlike thyme essential oil, which is highly concentrated and not meant for cooking, thyme infused olive oil is completely food-safe and made for everyday use in the kitchen. It’s one of the easiest ways to bring the fresh taste of thyme into your cooking year-round.

Why You’ll Love This Thyme Infused Olive Oil

• I always have a bottle of thyme oil in my kitchen. It takes only a few minutes to prepare, yet it adds so much flavor to everyday meals.
• It’s also a great way to preserve thyme from the garden. Instead of letting extra sprigs go to waste, I can turn them into a fragrant oil that lasts for weeks and brings a taste of summer to my cooking year-round.
• It makes one of my favorite homemade gifts. Pour it into a decorative bottle, add a handwritten label, and you have a thoughtful gift that’s both beautiful and practical.

Ingredients

Best Thyme to Use

Common garden thyme (Thymus vulgaris) is the best choice for most infused oil recipes. It has a classic savory flavor that pairs beautifully with olive oil.

Lemon thyme is another wonderful option if you enjoy bright citrus notes. Its subtle lemon flavor makes it especially delicious in salad dressings, seafood dishes, and vegetable marinades.

Wild thyme can also be used if you have access to it. It offers a slightly stronger and more complex flavor profile.

Whenever possible, harvest thyme just before flowering when its aromatic oils are at their peak.

Fresh vs Dry Thyme: Which Is Better?

You can use both fresh and dried thyme to make infused olive oil, but each has its advantages.

Fresh thyme provides a herbaceous flavor and aroma. However, because it contains moisture, it has a shorter shelf life and requires extra care during storage.

Dried thyme is often the safest choice for infused oils. Since most of the moisture has been removed, there is less risk of spoilage, and the finished oil generally keeps longer.

If using fresh thyme, allow the sprigs to dry thoroughly after washing before adding them to the oil. 

Choosing the Best Olive Oil

The olive oil you use will significantly influence the flavor of the finished infusion.

For the best results, choose a high-quality extra virgin olive oil. Its rich flavor complements thyme beautifully and creates a more robust herb-infused olive oil.

Avoid highly refined oils whenever possible, as they contribute less flavor and nutritional value to the finished product.

other herb infused oils to inspire you

How to make Olive oil infused with Thyme

Step 1: Prepare the Thyme

Wash the thyme sprigs if needed and allow them to dry completely. Place the dry thyme into a clean, sterilized glass jar.

Step 2: Add the Olive Oil

Pour the olive oil over the thyme until the herbs are completely submerged. Gently press the sprigs down with a spoon if necessary to ensure no leaves are exposed above the oil.

Step 3: Choose Your Infusion Method

Warm Infusion Method (Faster)

Place the jar in a double boiler and gently warm the oil for 2–4 hours over low heat. Use a thermometer and keep the temperature below 40°C (104°F) to preserve the thyme’s delicate flavor and beneficial compounds.

Slow Infusion Method (Traditional)

Seal the jar and place it in a cool, dark place for 2–4 weeks. Give the jar a gentle shake every few days. This slower method allows the thyme to gradually infuse the oil and develop a rich, herbaceous flavor.

Step 4: Strain the Oil

Once the infusion is complete, strain the oil through a fine-mesh strainer or cheesecloth to remove the thyme. For a clearer oil, strain it a second time if needed.

Step 5: Bottle and Store

Using a funnel, pour the thyme-infused olive oil into a clean bottle or jar. Store it in a cool, dark place or in the refrigerator for maximum freshness. Label the bottle with the date so you can keep track of its shelf life.

Ways to Use Thyme Olive Oil

Use it as the base for homemade salad dressings, combine it with balsamic vinegar for a simple bread dip, or drizzle it over pizza and pasta before serving.

It also works beautifully as a marinade for grilled meat, chicken, or vegetables. Try brushing it onto potatoes, carrots, or zucchini before roasting for extra flavor.

You can even stir a spoonful into soups or use it as a finishing oil for grain bowls and vegetable dishes.

How Long Does Thyme Olive Oil Last?

The shelf life depends largely on the ingredients used and how the oil is stored.

When made with thoroughly dried thyme and stored properly, thyme infused olive oil typically lasts between 1 and 3 months.

Store the oil in a tightly sealed bottle away from heat, sunlight, and moisture. A cool pantry or dark cupboard works well, though refrigeration will extend freshness even further.

If the oil develops an off smell, unusual cloudiness, mold, or any signs of spoilage, discard it immediately.

For the best flavor, I recommend using homemade thyme olive oil within a few weeks of making it.

Is Homemade Herb-Infused Olive Oil Safe?

When making herb-infused olive oil, safety is important. Fresh herbs and fresh garlic contain moisture, which can create conditions where harmful bacteria such as botulism may grow if the oil is not stored properly.

For the safest results, dry the thyme completely before using it. 

Store your thyme infused olive oil in a clean bottle or jar in a cool dark place and use it within a few weeks. For longer storage, keep it in the refrigerator. If the oil develops an unusual smell, cloudiness, or signs of spoilage, discard it immediately.

Flavor Variations

Once you learn how to infuse olive oil with thyme, it’s easy to create your own custom blends.

Garlic and Thyme Olive Oil
Add a few cloves of fresh garlic during the oil infusion for a savory flavor that pairs beautifully with pasta, roasted vegetables, and crusty bread.

Lemon Thyme Olive Oil
Add strips of dried lemon peel to create a bright, fresh oil that’s perfect for salad dressings, fish, and grilled vegetables.

Rosemary and Thyme Olive Oil
This combination of woody herbs creates a fragrant herb oil that works wonderfully as a marinade for meat or as a finishing drizzle over roast potatoes.

Chilli Thyme Olive Oil
Add a small dried chilli pepper for a gentle heat that adds extra flavor to pizza, soups, and bread dips.