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Truffle oil infuses irresistible flavor into fries, pizza, pasta, and more! Here’s how to use it and the best truffle oil recipes.
Looking for a good truffle oil? This magical oil brings the flavor and aroma of truffles to a dish. We’re not talking small balls of chocolate here: we’re talking mushrooms. Black and white truffles are prized in many cuisines, but they’re very expensive and hard to find. Truffle flavor is earthy and intoxicating in a way that’s difficult to describe. The oil condenses that beautiful flavor of truffles right into a bottle you can keep on the shelf.
The best truffle oil to buy? All natural.
You may have heard that some chefs turn up their noses at truffle oil. Why? Many truffle oils that have been available on the market are synthetic. That means they’re made using lab-made compounds that mimic flavors found in real truffles. Of course, restaurant chefs can afford to use real truffles, whereas most home-cooks cannot.
So are there truffle oils that are made using real truffles? Yes! Great options are becoming more widely available. Some great brands (we’re not affiliated):
- TRUFF: Our favorite is TRUFF Truffle Oil: it has a rich black truffle flavor that is more intense than most all natural oils.
- Urbani: Another good option is Urbani’s white truffle oil. It’s made in Italy, all natural and with real truffle pieces inside and nothing synthetic. It has a fantastic, subtle truffle aroma.
And now…our top truffle oil recipes!
And now, here’s a list of the very best ways to use truffle oil! From truffle fries to pizza to risotto, there’s something for everyone here.
Ever ordered truffle fries at a restaurant and wanted to recreate them at home? Try these Parmesan truffle fries! The flavor is every bit as good as restaurant fries, though they’re baked not fried. They have just the right subtle hint of earthy truffle using all-natural truffle oil. They’re crispy on the outside, tender on the inside, perfectly salted and mixed with cheese to take them over the top. Seriously, WOW!
Here’s a decadent dish that will win hearts and minds: Truffle Mac and Cheese! This cozy pan mixes a rich, creamy white cheddar sauce with just the right hint of earthy truffle oil. The truffle adds an irresistible nuance (not overpowering as some truffle dishes can be!). This recipe is ideal for a dinner party where you’re looking to impress. For us black truffle lovers, we couldn’t get enough of it!
Here’s a sauce that adds a hint of gourmet to everything it touches: Truffle Aioli! This delectable dip is rich and creamy, with earthy notes from the truffle and a pop of savory garlic. It takes minutes to make and tastes great on literally everything: it’s perfect with fries, grilled fish, roasted vegetables or even on a sandwich. If you're a truffle lover, you'll be absolutely smitten.
Wow, is this truffle pizza recipe to die for! Truffle oil is the key here: it's earthy, intoxicating, and makes anything taste nuanced and intriguing. This truffle pizza is all about channeling that goodness. It features savory mushrooms, gooey cheese, and fresh herbs, and it's finished off with an all natural truffle oil that infuses the entire pie.
Truffle risotto dish sounds gourmet, but it’s actually easy to put together! The creamy Parmesan rice is paired with the earthy flavor of truffle in a symphony of flavor. Use either canned black truffles and mushrooms, a worthy splurge, or a drizzle of truffle oil. Either way, it's an elegant way to enjoy the flavor of those exotic mushrooms.
Note: Keep in mind that all natural truffle oil is much less potent than synthetic, which can be rather strong. If you aren’t able to get ahold of the all natural stuff for these recipes, don’t be too heavy handed.
Why are truffles so expensive?
Black and white truffles can be considered a type of mushroom. But technically, they’re fungi! Unlike other mushrooms, they grow underground and don’t have a visible stem. They’re considered the “diamond of the kitchen” and are highly prized in many cuisines.
Why are truffles so expensive? Two reasons: first, they are expensive because they are very hard to farm. Truffles grow in the roots of trees, and prefer only specific soils and trees. Second, truffles are difficult to harvest. Truffle hunters have to rely on animals that are trained to recognize the scent of truffles growing underground! Dogs and pigs are used by truffle hunters to hunt out these tasty fungi. (It’s actually seriously fascinating!)
So you can see why the oil version was invented! Real truffles are expensive and fairly difficult for home cooks to find. Truffle oil imparts the flavor and essence without having to shell out the cash. And it’s shelf stable!
Want another way to bring in truffle flavor?
One last thing! Another great way to bring in truffle flavor is Urbani canned truffles and mushrooms! Alex and I randomly found this product in our grocery store. It’s a small can of mushrooms that are flavored with real truffles. The flavor is really intense and beautiful! We use this when we want to add big flavor and have pieces of actual mushrooms (see the photo below).
Buy it! Canned Truffles & Mushrooms
Truffle Oil Fries (& More Recipes!)
Crispy potatoes, truffle oil, and Parmesan cheese: WOW! These Parmesan truffle fries are insanely tasty, baked in a hot oven until they’re crisp.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 4 1x
- Category: Side Dish
- Method: Baked
- Cuisine: Fries
Ingredients
- 2 pounds russet potatoes
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 2 tablespoons all-natural truffle oil or to taste with a synthetic truffle oil (Important! See Note)*
- Parmesan or Pecorino, freshly grated (omit for vegan)
- Chunky sea salt, for garnish
- Chopped chives, for garnish
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 450 degrees Farenheit.
- Cut the potatoes into fries (watch the video to see!): Wash the potatoes, leaving the skins on. Slice off the ends of each potato, then slice off part of the side to make a base. Place the potato half cut side down and cut off a ¼-inch slice, then lay the slice on its side and cut it into several long strips. Repeat until all potatoes have been cut into fries. The pieces can be uneven, but aim for as uniform of thickness as possible. See the video for full instructions.
- Place the fries in a large bowl with the olive oil and kosher salt. Mix thoroughly to combine.
- Line two baking sheets with parchment paper. Spread the fries on the paper, placing them as far apart as possible.
- Bake the fries for 15 minutes. Take them out of the oven and flip them. Reduce the heat to 400 degrees.
- Reverse the trays in the oven and bake another 10 minutes until the fries are crisp and golden brown, watching carefully as the cooking time can depend on the fry thickness and oven. (If the majority of the fries seem soft, continue to bake a few more minutes.)
- Remove the baking sheets from the oven. Drizzle with the truffle oil (note that if your bottle does not say “all natural”, drizzle to taste — it’s much stronger than all natural, so don’t use the quantity listed.) Add chunky sea salt, crushing it with your fingers as you sprinkle. Sprinkle with the Parmesan cheese and chives. Serve immediately (fries become softer as they sit). If making in advance, omit Step 7, then reheat the fries in a 400 degree oven and perform Step 7.
Notes
*If you use an all natural truffle oil like Urbani natural truffle oil, the flavor is more subtle, so you’ll need more than if you use a synthetic oil. If you buy a truffle oil that is not marked with “natural flavor” anywhere on the package, it will be stronger. Drizzle it on to taste.
