The Best Olive Oil Brands That Prove It's Nothing Short of Liquid Gold

"Hearst Magazines and Yahoo may earn commission or revenue on some items through these links."

Picture this: You're standing in the grocery store looking at the wall of olive oil bottles glistening with their golden yellow color. There are bottles from Italy, from Spain, and from right here in the United States. Some have different color variations and others have prices that span the spectrum. So how do you know which olive oil to choose?

We've found the absolute best olive oil brands for stocking your pantry. Compared to the many oils used for frying (like canola oil or vegetable oil), olive oil has a lower smoke point (around 375 degrees), but that doesn't mean you can't cook with it! Many of these olive oils can be used for pan-frying and sautéing veggies, making salad dressings, or even used in certain desserts (like this olive oil cake). Try drizzling a caprese salad with good extra-virgin olive oil and your life will be changed.

But what exactly is extra-virgin olive oil? Sometimes referred to as EVOO, this type of oil is made entirely from cold-pressed olives. It's considered to be the highest-quality olive oil on the shelf, and it has a distinct flavor that can range from peppery to grassy. These golden oils are sensitive to heat, light, and air, so be sure to look for dark bottles or metal tins to ensure they are stored correctly (and check out our tips on if olive oil can go bad). On the other hand, regular olive oil is more refined, usually cheaper, lighter in color, and has less fruity flavor.

When shopping for olive oil, consider picking up more than one kind to keep on hand—a bottle of everyday olive oil is great for cooking with, but a drizzle of EVOO will make your family dinners sing! Read on to find out which olive oils are best for your cooking purposes.

Graza "Drizzle" & "Sizzle" Extra Virgin Olive Oil

This new extra-virgin olive oil brand is taking big strides to differentiate themselves: Not only do they use olives from Spain to produce their high-quality oil, but they also do it at an affordable price. The best part is—the packaging! The squeezable bottle makes it easy and fun to use (without the fear of drenching your food in oil). The brand offers two varieties: drizzle (used as a finishing oil) and sizzle (for higher heat cooking)—or, you could get one of each!

Brightland Castelvetrano Olive Oil

If you're looking to add the perfect finishing touch on your favorite dinners, this extra-virgin oil made with hand-harvested Castelvetrano olives from the mountains of Sicily will do the trick! A drizzle of this bright and grassy cold-pressed olive oil will certainly upgrade any of your favorite family dinners. Plus, the bottle is so pretty!

Kosterina Spicy Red Pepper Olive Oil

This family-run olive oil brand starts with 100% pure extra-virgin olive oil made from olives harvested in southern Greece. Then, they kick things up with a hint of spice. It’s delicious when used as a dipping oil for fresh dinner rolls, but it can be equally delicious to use as a finishing oil for pizza, pasta, eggs, or avocado toast!

California Olive Ranch Chef's Bottle

This extra-virgin olive oil is a workhorse in the kitchen. Made from a combination of California-grown olives and partners in Argentina, Chile, and Portugal, it has a mild, yet rich flavor that makes it perfect for everyday cooking whether you're making grilled chicken, pasta sauce, or a weekday salad.

La Tourangelle Organic Extra-Virgin Olive Oil

This Spanish olive oil is made from olives that are harvested early and cold-pressed—which helps produce its unique flavor that's bright, peppery, and grassy. It's perfect for using as a finishing oil or as a dip for crusty breads.

Lucini Premium Select Extra-Virgin Olive Oil

From the hillsides of Italy, this extra-virgin olive oil is the perfect finishing touch on your pasta dishes or grilled meats. It’s well-balanced flavor and peppery finish also make it a solid choice for whisking up your favorite salad dressing.

Filippo Berio Extra Light Olive Oil

This is the only olive oil on this list that's not extra-virgin. Instead, the refined oil is light and more neutral in flavor which makes it great for baking with. It can also withstand a higher smoke point which makes it a good choice for frying.

Colavita Premium Selection Extra Virgin Olive Oil

If you're a fan of the full-bodied flavor of extra-virgin olive oil, you'll love this brand that's imported from Italy. Its bold flavor shines through even when cooked so you can taste the fruity, peppery notes when sautéing veggies or searing meats.

Zoe Organic Extra Virgin Oil Olive Tin

This all-purpose olive oil works well in a variety of ways including cooking and dressing. The Spanish oil is buttery and fruity, plus the tin can is great for refilling your olive oil dispenser.

Pompeian Smooth Extra Virgin Olive Oil

Extra virgin olive oil can be pricy which is why it’s often used as a finishing oil, but this affordable option makes it easy to keep stocked in your pantry for whenever you need a good basic olive oil. The smooth and delicate flavor is another great reason for cooking with it.

You Might Also Like

• 15 Best Denim Jacket Outfit Ideas to Pull from Your Closet

• 10 Best Shampoos for Red Hair Like Ree Drummond's