How to Cook with Essential Oils

Cooking with essential oils

First and foremost, if you have a Young Living Essential Oil with a white label, then one of the ways to use that oil is through ingestion. Remember, not all Young Living Essential Oils are safe to ingest, but there are quite a few that are correctly labeled to be used as a dietary supplement, which I take full advantage of because I trust that this is a company that gives you accurate information in each bottle. Lemon is lemon, orange is orange, oregano is oregano, nothing more  and nothing less!

When I got started using oils, I did some research to decide which oils I should be using and if it really mattered. I found that there are no regulations on essential oils, so what that means is that the essential oils can be labeled 100% pure, but it really maybe only had about 5% of the essential oils in the bottle. I thought that was crazy!! I found Young Living and got the opportunity to experienced their Seed to Seal Promise first hand, I know exactly where the essential oil is coming from and I know what is in the bottle. I even planted Lavender with my own hands in the farm and watched Juniper distill in Mona, Utah! Young Living is the only company to own the entire process from the seed, to the plant, to the bottle. This is of particular importance when it comes to the ingesting Vitality Essential Oils.

There are a couple different ways to ingest essential oils. You can add a drop or two to your beverage or water. You can use vegetable capsules and create your own supplement. You can even cook and create recipes using essential oils! How cool is that?

Once I got started using Young Living I was eager to try out some recipes!
Below I will go through some of my favorite recipes that are great through the summertime. I have found them to be perfect for everything from barbecues to year long healthy recipes.

In the recipes I listed a few essential oils that could go well with the recipe. To be honest, there are approximately 40 total "Vitality Essential Oils", so truly you could substitute other vitality oils according to your taste..

Here are a few Vitality Essential Oils that I love to add to recipes for cooking and baking! Basil, Black Pepper, Carrot Seed, Celery Seed, Cinnamon Bark, Clove, Dill, Ginger, Grapefruit, Lemon, Lavender, Lemongrass, Nutmeg, Orange, Peppermint, Rosemary, Sage, Thieve, and Thyme to name a few!

Mediterranean Marinade
Yields: marinade sufficient for 1-2 pounds of meat or protein of choice.
Ingredients:

• 1/4 cup olive oil, 1/2 cup soy sauce, 1 tablespoon red wine vinegar, 1 clove garlic minced or you could use the Clove Vitality essential oil too,  1 drop Oregano Vitality essential oil, 2 drops Lemon Vitality essential oil, and 1 drop Black Pepper Vitality essential oil

Take a look at some of your favorite marinades and see where you could substitute an ingredient and add a drop of essential oil! Just have fun, remember a little essential oil goes a long way so Oregano Essential Oil is very strong, I just use a toothpick to get a little essential oil into the recipe because often I do not need a whole drop!

Greek Yogurt Coleslaw
I am always looking for a healthy side at a summer party or shower during the fall and spring. I love creating this dish to take to parties!
Prep Time: 5 minutes Total Time: 35 minutes Yields: About 6 1/2 cups
Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup nonfat plain Greek yogurt, 3 1/2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar, 3 tablespoons honey, 1 teaspoon Himalayan pink salt, 3 drops Black Pepper Vitality essential oil (or to taste) 16 ounces (about 6 1/4 cups) pre-made coleslaw blend or shredded cabbage

Directions:

• In a small bowl, combine Greek yogurt, vinegar, sugar, salt, and Black Pepper Vitality essential oil and blend until combined.
• Place coleslaw blend or cabbage in a large bowl and pour the Greek yogurt dressing mixture over top.
• Stir to coat cabbage thoroughly.
• Cover and refrigerate at least 30 minutes.
• Top with grilled chicken and enjoy this coleslaw as a salad, load onto a BBQ sandwich for a southern twist, or enjoy as a side dish with any of your mealtime favorites!

Even try adding a drop of a citrus Vitality Essential Oil for a sweet twist that would pair well with the salty or spicy foods!

Dill Veggie Dip
The dip is such a big hit for an appetizer at our gatherings, it’s a bonus that it’s so easy to prepare! We use this one throughout the year during the holidays

Prep Time: 5 minutes Total Time: 3 hours, 5 minutes Yields: 2 cups
Ingredients:

• 2 cups plain Greek yogurt, 6 drops Dill Vitality essential oil or 1 tablespoon dried dill weed, 2 drops Lemon Vitality essential oil, or 1/2 teaspoon lemon juice, 2 cloves garlic minced, 1 teaspoon onion powder, 1/2 teaspoon Himalayan pink salt 

Directions:

• Combine all ingredients in a blender, bowl, or zip-top bag.
• Mix thoroughly.
• Refrigerate for 3 hours.
• Try dipping your favorite veggies - including carrots, celery sticks, bell peppers, and snap peas - in this dip for a delicious snack or side dish.

Einkorn Lemon NingXia Sandwich Cookies by Kathleen Campbell
Every once in a while, we do like to enjoy a desert but why not make something that is a little better of a choice! When I found this recipe, I knew I had to share it! Einkorn and Ningxia are two of our favorites!
Time: 4 hours, 20 minutes Cook Time: 10 minutes Total Time: 4 hours, 30 minutes
Cookie Ingredients:

• 1 cup butter,  2/3 cup honey, 1 egg,  20 drops Lemon Vitality essential oil or as desired, 1 teaspoon vanilla,  1/2 teaspoon salt, 3 cups Gary’s True Grit Einkorn Flour, sifted Filling Ingredients: 8 ounces cream cheese, room temperature, 1/2 cup butter- softened, 2 teaspoons NingXia Red, 1/2 teaspoon red beet powder, 1 cup nonfat dry milk powder, 1 cup cornstarch, 2 teaspoons powdered stevia, 3 tablespoons organic powdered evaporated cane juice crystals (optional), 2 drops Lemon Vitality essential oil, as desired (optional)

Cookie Directions:

• Cream butter and honey. Add the other ingredients, adding the flour last, and mix until all ingredients are blended well. Cover and chill dough 3-4 hours before rolling.
• Preheat oven to 370°F. Roll out dough 1/3 inch thick and cut evenly. Bake approximately 8-10 minutes or until the edges are just starting to brown. Remove from oven and cool on wire racks.

Filling Directions:

• Beat cream cheese, butter, and NingXia Red in a large bowl with a hand mixer until blended.
• Add red beet powder coloring to your desired shade. Separately mix milk powder, cornstarch, and stevia until well blended. Add to cream cheese mixture gradually, beating after each addition, until blended.
• Put a dollop of filling on a cooled lemon cookie and place another cookie on top. Smooth edges if filling comes out. Refrigerate until served.

Optional: Place organic powdered evaporated cane juice crystals in a sealable plastic bag. Add Lemon Vitality essential oil in the bag, close it, and shake it. Sift mixture on top of the cookies.
These have turned into a delicious treat, especially great when visiting family in the summer!

Citrus Fresh-Lime Baked Chicken
Ingredients:

• Organic, whole chicken, 1/2 cup coconut oil, 1/2 whole garlic bulb, peeled and crushed, 1 medium yellow onion,  1 lemon, quartered 1/2 lime, quartered Spices: 1 teaspoon turmeric, 3/4 teaspoon cumin, 1/4 teaspoon sea salt, 1 teaspoon rosemary or a large bunch of fresh rosemary sprigs or vitality essential oil,  1/8 tsp. black pepper or lemon pepper and Young Living Essential Oils: 3-5 drops Citrus Fresh Vitality essential oil blend, 3-5 drops Lime Vitality essential oil

Directions:

• Heat oven to 350°.
• Remove gizzards and goodies from the inside of the chicken.
• Use glass baking pan and spread with coconut oil.
• Chop garlic and onion.
• Combine all spices in small glass cup, add essential oils, and mix with a toothpick.
• Quarter lemons and limes, squeeze over chicken.
• Stuff chopped garlic, onion, lemons, and limes into the chicken.
• Trickle overflow chopped items and add any optional vegetable(s) (potatoes or other favorites) around the chicken. Place extra fresh rosemary sprigs around the inside of the pan.
• Baste chicken 1-3 times while baking.
• Bake for approximately 1 hour, 30 minutes.

This recipe is delicious! It’s a perfect fresh taking chicken that goes great with a summer salad!

Honey Lime Marinade
Yields: marinade sufficient for 1-2 pounds of meat or protein of choice
Ingredients:

• 3/4 cup olive or other oil, 1/2 cup soy sauce, 1/2 teaspoon ground mustard, 1 tablespoon honey, 3 drops Lime essential oil, 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper.

When cooking with Young Living Vitality Essential Oils, I would say have fun! Try out various recipes that you have always loved and see where you can add Vitality Essential Oils. It honestly had helped step up my cooking game! It allows me to add more flavor that I usually was getting, sometimes I simply just add lemon to my chicken that I’m making or peppermint to the brownie batter I am making. Cinnamon Bark is such an easy one to add to cookies or oatmeal too! We love it and I know you will too!

Please, always remember to exercise safety and caution when ingesting essential oils! 

***For safe containers and supplies to use with your essential oils, please check out our resources page!