Fats & oils

Oil, olive, salad or cooking

FDC 171413tablespoon (14 g)

Source: USDA FoodData Central · Public domain

Original analysis by NutriVerdict

Density 34 · +12 vs Fats & oils median

Olive oil scores 34 of 100, a Low band placement ranking 12th of 60 fats and oils, above the category median of 22 despite being essentially pure fat. Its one defining figure is vitamin E at 96% DV per 100 g, a level few other oils in the category approach.

It is used for sauteing, dressing salads, and finishing cooked dishes, with a tablespoon (14 g) the standard measure in most recipes. Because it is 100% fat by weight, it also carries 13.8 g of saturated fat per 100 g, a figure worth factoring in for anyone already eating rich or fried foods elsewhere that day.

See how this score is calculated, build a plate around oil, olive, or compare it with another food.

Source: USDA FoodData Central · Public domain

Fig. 1 · Macronutrient composition
Protein 0 g · 0%Carb 0 g · 0%Fat 100 g · 100%

Percent of calories derived by NutriVerdict from USDA grams

Nutrition facts

NutrientAmount% DV
Calories884 kcal44%
Total fat100 g128%
Saturated fat14 g69%
Cholesterol0 mg0%
Sodium2 mg0%
Carbohydrate0 g0%
Dietary fiber0 g0%
Sugars0 g
Protein0 g0%
Potassium1 mg0%
Calcium1 mg0%
Iron0.56 mg3%
Magnesium0 mg0%
Vitamin C0 mg0%
Vitamin A0 µg0%
Vitamin E14 mg96%

Source: USDA FoodData Central · Public domain

FDC 171413

Original analysis by NutriVerdict

What it is rich in

Nutrients supplying at least 10% of the Daily Value per 100 grams. 20% or more is an excellent source.

Vitamin E96% DV

Original analysis by NutriVerdict

Versus the fats & oils median

Nutrient density34 vs 22 median
Protein / 100 g0 vs 0 median
Fiber / 100 g0 vs 0 median
Sodium / 100 g2 vs 0 median

Original analysis by NutriVerdict

More nutrient-dense swaps

Foods in the same category that score higher on nutrient density.

Oil, corn and canolaDensity 37 vs 34Vegetable oil-butter spread, reduced calorieDensity 39 vs 34Oil, canolaDensity 39 vs 34

Original analysis by NutriVerdict

In the kitchen and how to use it

Olive oil for salad or cooking is used both raw and heated: drizzled over salads, bread, or finished dishes for its flavor, whisked into vinaigrettes and marinades, or used as the base fat for sauteing and roasting. Its flavor ranges from mild and buttery to peppery and grassy depending on the variety and how it was pressed, which is why cooks often keep a milder bottle for cooking and a more flavorful one reserved for finishing dishes at the table.

Store it in a dark bottle or tin away from heat and direct light, since exposure to both accelerates rancidity, and try to use it within a few months of opening rather than letting it sit indefinitely. Nutritionally it is essentially pure fat, 100 g of fat and 884 calories per 100 g, so it is used by the tablespoon in cooking and dressing rather than as a dish on its own; a tablespoon serving is just 14 g. It stands out as a source of vitamin E, providing 96% DV per 100 g, making the oil used to finish a salad or roast vegetables a meaningful contributor of that nutrient alongside its role as a cooking fat.

Frequently asked questions about oil, olive

How many calories are in olive oil?

Olive oil has 884 calories per 100 g; a tablespoon serving (14 g) is the more typical amount used in cooking or dressing.

Is olive oil a good source of vitamin E?

Yes, it provides 96% of the Daily Value for vitamin E per 100 g.

How should olive oil be stored?

Keep it in a dark bottle away from heat and light, and use it within a few months of opening to avoid rancidity.

View the USDA source record