If meat regularly features on your table, here’s something worth knowing. Whether you’re cooking chicken, beef, lamb or pork, enhancing flavour is surprisingly simple with La Española’s range of Olive Oils. Perfect for marinades, gentle to medium-heat cooking, or adding a final flourish to roasted meats, this fruity, characterful oil can subtly change the way you cook at home
Next-Level Marinades with Chicken and Olive Oil
Chicken is a firm favourite in many weekly meal plans. Lean, versatile and easy to cook, it works with almost anything. Because its flavour is fairly mild, though, it benefits enormously from a well-made marinade — and that’s where extra virgin olive oil really shines.
Using olive oil as the base of a marinade helps carry flavour into the meat while keeping it tender. Our Griddled Lemon and Rosemary Chicken with Butterbean Salad is a good example. Here, extra virgin olive oil is paired with lemon juice, rosemary and garlic to create something bright yet comforting. It also works beautifully as a simple finishing drizzle, as shown in our Mediterranean Chicken Toast with Ricotta, Orange and Olive Oil.
Extra Virgin Olive Oil in Sauces
If you’d like to give a homemade sauce a little more depth, extra virgin olive oil is a good place to start. Used as part of the base, it adds subtle fruitiness and rounds out richer ingredients.
Take our Chicken Alfredo Pasta. A blend of cream, Parmesan and extra virgin olive oil brings balance and richness to this Italian classic — and it comes together in around 30 minutes, making it a realistic midweek option rather than a restaurant-only treat.
Seasoning Roast Meat with EVOO
Roast dinners — whether for Christmas or a simple Sunday gathering — are another opportunity to make the most of the health benefits of extra virgin olive oil.
Our Roast Turkey with Apples shows how effective it can be. Season generously with salt and black pepper, rub the bird all over with La Española Extra Virgin Olive Oil, then scatter with dried thyme. The oil helps the skin crisp while keeping the meat moist, and the difference is noticeable.
Adding a Chef’s Touch to Stews
Olive oil may not be the first ingredient you think of when making a hearty stew, but it can make a real difference.
This Beef and Pimentón Stew with Truffle Oil and Garlic Mash is lifted by the addition of La Española Olive Oil Flavoured with White Truffle. The gentle truffle notes and richness of the oil add depth without overwhelming the dish — a simple tweak that makes it feel that bit more special.
Preparing Restaurant-Quality Veal at Home
For something a little more refined, this Veal Carpaccio with Broad Beans and Truffle Oil works beautifully as a starter or lighter main. Lightly seared veal is finished with a drizzle of olive oil flavoured with white truffle, adding a subtle richness.
Serve it at your next dinner party and it’s bound to spark conversation.
Frequently Asked Questions About Cooking Meat with Extra Virgin Olive Oil
Why use extra virgin olive oil with meat?
It enhances flavour, helps retain moisture, and adds aroma without masking the natural character of the meat.
Can extra virgin olive oil be used for cooking meat at high temperatures?
It’s best suited to low and medium-heat cooking, roasting, and finishing. For very high heat, you may prefer a lighter olive oil.
Does extra virgin olive oil change the taste of meat?
It complements rather than dominates, adding subtle fruitiness and depth.
How can EVOO improve marinades?
It helps carry herbs and spices into the meat while keeping it tender during cooking.
Is extra virgin olive oil better than butter or other oils?
It offers a lighter, fruitier flavour and contains beneficial monounsaturated fats.
Can I finish cooked meat with extra virgin olive oil?
Yes — a light drizzle just before serving enhances aroma and freshness.
What type of EVOO works best for red or white meat?
Milder oils suit delicate meats like chicken or veal, while more robust oils pair well with beef and lamb.
How much extra virgin olive oil should I use?
Enough to coat the meat lightly for marinades or roasting, and just a small drizzle for finishing.
Food for Thought
At La Española, we’re passionate about sharing new ways to cook with olive oil and helping home cooks get more from everyday ingredients. For more tips, inspiration and recipes, take a look at our blog.