I Tried Every Bottle of Olive Oil at Aldi — This Is the Absolute Best One You Can Buy

Patty Catalano
Patty CatalanoFood Editor at The Kitchn
The only subject that has ever held my attention has been food, because there’s no end to what you can taste, smell, learn, and cook. I patchworked my way to recipe development and food writing by earning degrees in Family & Consumer Sciences (you may have known it as Home Ec) and Food, Nutrition, and Culinary Science, and working anywhere that would take me: university food services, local bakeries, and the set of Good Eats on Food Network. Early on, I asked my mom how she knew what a cookbook recipe (with no pictures) would look and taste like. While my mom was there to teach me, I realized that not everyone has someone to turn to for trusted cooking guidance. I try every day to be that person for The Kitchn’s readers by sharing smart recipes they can feel proud to serve. Recipe development is the most fun job I can imagine, but it also comes with a lot of dirty dishes and hours spent in the grocery store. I’ve found that I actually really love grocery shopping — especially at Costco and Aldi — and it brings me such joy to share my finds with The Kitchn readers.
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updated May 11, 2022
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Credit: Patty Catalano

During a recent pantry inventory, I realized that I only had a few drips of olive oil left in the bottle. Luckily, a trip to Aldi was already on the day’s agenda. (I like to consider myself one of the store’s biggest fans.) I popped a quarter into the cart and entered Aldi with one goal in mind: to determine, once and for all, which Aldi olive oil bottle is the very best. So in addition to the other groceries I needed, I added every single bottle on offer into my cart.

Credit: Patty Catalano

A widely known secret to improving every meal you make is to start with the very best-tasting ingredients. Maybe you’ve never given olive oil much thought, considering it more for its function than flavor. But whether you’re using it for sautéing, drizzling, or dressing, you want your olive oil to be good! After tasting all of the store’s offerings on their own and in a variety of dishes, I’m happy to report that the winner has been crowned. And I’m also happy to report that it only costs $8!

Credit: Patty Catalano

Specially Selected Sicilian Extra Virgin Olive Oil, $7.99 for 16.9 ounces

This Sicilian extra-virgin olive oil has the richest color of all the oils. It’s also the most robust-tasting, with a delicate grassy flavor (a good thing!). It’s sold in a dark green glass bottle to protect the oil from light, and carries seals from the North American Olive Oil Association for purity and quality, as well as Val Di Mazara P.D.O. indicating the provenance of the product. Impressive!

There’s no trace acrid aftertaste that I occasionally detect in other extra-virgin olive oils. What’s doubly impressive is the way it straddles the fine line between versatile cooking oil and a finishing oil with personality. In short: You’ll want to reach for this anytime you’re in the kitchen. I know I do.

What olive oil do you buy at Aldi? Share your favorites in the comments.

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