Uses for Oils & Vinegars

There are many uses of oils and vinegars, from preparing your favorite dishes to improving your health. At Primo we love all the oil and vinegar uses. And we especially love to share some of our favorite vinegar oil uses and combinations with you.

SOME EXAMPLES:

• 3 parts oil to 1 part balsamic for salad dressings.
• Marinades for meat, fish & poultry.
• Finishing for soups & stews.
• Drizzled on pasta, pizza & veggies.
• Add at the end of cooking for a burst of flavor.
• Pour into a small dish & add a splash of balsamic for bread dipping.
• Brush Garlic EVOO on a loaf of French bread and lightly toast. Sprinkle parmesan cheese on top.
• Mix cooked white beans, garlic & EVOO with your choice of seasonings for a tasty dip.
• Brush onto meats before grilling or broiling to seal in flavor.
• Add to eggs & drizzle over toast.
• Sprinkle on brown rice.
• Use instead of butter or margarine for baking & on breads, potatoes & popcorn, reducing the amount of saturated fat in your diet.

Culinary Uses of Oil and Vinegar

Oil and vinegar are essential kitchen ingredients with versatile uses. They enhance flavors in cooking, form the base of dressings and marinades, and even add moisture to baked goods.

Cooking and Frying

Olive oil has a plethora of healthy reasons to use in your cooking, but beware. Olive oil has a low smoke point, so can’t replace all the neutral oils in your kitchen. It’s best used for sauteing vegetables, popping popcorn, as toppers and in marinades.

Salad Dressings and Marinades

Oils and vinegars pair beautifully in dressings and marinades. A simple balsamic vinaigrette involves mixing olive oil and balsamic vinegar in a 3:1 ratio, with salt and pepper to taste. For marinades, try combining oregano olive oil with lemon balsamic vinegar. Sweet and spicy marinades can be crafted with harissa-infused olive oil and pineapple balsamic vinegar.

Baking and Sweets

You can substitute olive oil for canola or corn oil when you bake. Just use a one-to-one substitution in the recipe. You will taste the olive oil but with delicious flavor infusions like our Butter EVOO, Blood Orange or Herbs de Provence there’s more than one way to add flavor for baking. Our infused balsamic vinegars enhance baked goods, try our Dark Chocolate Balsamic Cookies or Balsamic Blueberry Pie.

You can easily turn balsamic vinegar into a balsamic reduction to drizzle over ice cream or baked goods for a sophisticated dessert. And if an apéritif is what you’re after, try a Primotini as a non-alcoholic mocktail treat.

10 Ways to Serve Balsamic Vinegar

• Splash over fresh berries.
• Stir into a sweet sauce served with pork.
• Drizzle over brie cheese.
• Mix with fresh spinach, mixed leaf or romaine.
• Toss with tomatoes, onions & mozzarella chunks.
• Sizzle in scallops.
• Make into a marinade for chicken, steak, duck or pork.
• Drizzle over ice cream or into yogurt.
• Blend with pasta al dente.
• Drizzle over crisp grilled vegetables.

Beauty and Personal Care

Olive oil is a powerhouse for your skin. Rich in antioxidants and vitamins, it can help to moisturize and improve skin elasticity. A small amount applied to dry areas can provide intense hydration. You can also mix olive oil with sugar or salt to create a natural exfoliant for smoother skin.

Balsamic vinegar is not just a salad dressing. Its acetic acid content can help maintain skin pH balance, promoting a clear complexion. Dilute balsamic vinegar with water and use it as a toner. Its antibacterial properties may help reduce acne and other skin irritations.

Combining these two can make an effective treatment for various skin issues. For example, a blend of olive oil and vinegar can be used to condition hair, giving it a healthy shine. Apply it to the scalp to nourish and combat dandruff. Always conduct a patch test before applying these directly to your skin.

Household Uses of Oil and Vinegar

Oil and vinegar have various applications beyond the kitchen. These liquids offer natural and effective solutions for everyday tasks in your home, as you can use them for cleaning, polishing, and preservation.

Cleaning and Polishing

Vinegar is a powerful natural cleaner. Be careful to use regular distilled vinegar and not balsamic vinegar in your cleaning. You can use it to remove stains, repel ants, and even kill weeds. For specific stains, spray vinegar directly on the affected area. For example, vinegar effectively removes ketchup or tomato sauce stains before laundering. Mix vinegar with water to create a glass and surface cleaner.

When it comes to polishing, distilled vinegar works wonders on leather items. Rub your leather shoes or boots with vinegar to remove salt and water stains. On the other hand, olive oil can polish wooden furniture. Apply a small amount of oil on a cloth and gently rub it on the wood surface to restore shine and protect the material.

Preservation

Oil and vinegar are also valuable for preserving food. Distilled vinegar’s acidity makes it an excellent preservative. You can use it to pickle vegetables, extending their shelf life and adding a tangy flavor. Simply mix vinegar with water, salt, and sugar, then submerge your vegetables in the mixture. Make sure you are using distilled vinegar and not balsamic vinegar for these tasks.

Olive oil can preserve herbs. Place fresh herbs in a jar and cover them with olive oil. This method keeps the herbs fresh for longer, and you can also use the infused oil in your cooking for a flavorful addition. Olive oil is also used when packing sun-dried tomatoes to prevent them from molding.

Unique and Creative Uses of Oil and Vinegar

Explore the diverse ways you can use oil and vinegar beyond traditional culinary applications. From infusions and flavored oils to gourmet gifts, let’s dive into some creative ideas that will elevate your kitchen game.

Infusions and Flavored Oils

At Primo Oils we stock both varietals of olive oil and infused olive oils. But that doesn’t mean you can’t experiment with your own EVOO infusions at home. 

Creating infused oils is an excellent way to add an extra layer of flavor to your dishes. For instance, Turmeric Oil involves combining neutral oil with turmeric and simmering it to draw out the flavors into the oil. Toasted Garlic and Herb Oil can be made by toasting preserved chiles, garlic, and herbs together.

Consider using a blend of rosemary, thyme, or even citrus peels for a zesty kick. Once your infused oil is ready, use it to drizzle over roasted vegetables, pastas, or even as a base for homemade pesto. Store these oils in sterilized jars to maintain their freshness and flavor.

Gourmet Gifts

Homemade infused oils and vinegars make thoughtful and delicious gifts. You can easily package these in decorative bottles with personalized labels and tags. Experiment with ingredients like fruit-infused vinegars, such as balsamic paired with berries or citrus.

And if you’re looking for easy and delicious gourmet gifts, we have hand selected gift boxes available from Primo Oils. Everything from a Truffle 2 pack set for the gourmet who has everything to our gift boxes tailored to your specific needs. We will prepare the box for the loved one you have in mind and can suggest alternative products in case you need to accommodate for nut allergies or gluten intolerance.

Favorite Pairings for your Favorite Dishes

BREAD DIPPING

Tuscan Herb, Mushroom & Sage, Garlic, Herbs de Provence OO

Traditional or Fig Balsamics

SALADS

Lemon OO & Blueberry Balsamic

Melanese Gremolate OO & Lemon Balsamic

Herbs de Provence OO & Lavender Balsamic

Tuscan Herb OO & Traditional Balsamic

Basil OO & Strawberry or Pomegranate Balsamics

Lime OO & Blackberry Ginger or Mango Balsamics

STARCHES & PASTAS

Mushroom & Sage, Butter, Garlic, White Truffle,Tuscan Herb, Lemon, Basil OO

SHRIMP & SCALLOPS

Lemon, Lime, Milanese Gremolata, Harissa OO

Honey Ginger, Mango or Sicilian Lemon Balsamics

STEAK

Mushroom & Sage, Garlic, White Truffle OO

Traditional Balsamic

PORK

Butter, Garlic, Basil, Mushroom & Sage, Harissa OO

Raspberry, Black Cherry, Chocolate Balsamics

FRUIT & DESSERTS

Chocolate Balsamic

All dark fruity Balsamics

Cara Cara Orange & Vanilla & Peach White Balsamic

Common Questions About Using Olive Oil and Vinegar

As you can see, the uses of olive oil and vinegar are endless. We hope you stop by the shop or visit our online store to explore some of the incredible products we have in stock.