I Tried Viral Influencer Nara Smith’s First-of-its-Kind Cooking Oil, and It’s Actually So Delicious

Look. There is an oversaturation of celebrity and influencer collaborations on products out there (check your local liquor store). Some, like Pamela Anderson’s pickles, are solid, while other collabs are still aspiring to be great. 

If you, like me, are chronically online, then you, like me, know who Nara Smith is. The model and influencer first went viral in late 2023 for her from-scratch cooking videos with the most Autonomous Sensory Meridian Response (ASMR)-like voice-over. When I heard she was collaborating with Algae Cooking Club, a new-ish company that sells cooking oil made from algae, I immediately wrote in our Slack channel: “i fear i need to try ti [sic].” And so, I secured myself an invitation to a launch event and a bottle.

Like Algae Cooking Club’s original oil, Nara’s is made primarily from algae, an ingredient touted as a more accessible and sustainable alternative than olive or avocado. This collab has been in the works for about a year. The oil is primarily infused with garlic and also some yuzu, miso, and charred scallions. 

In Nara’s TikTok about the collab, she talks about how she hates garlic fingers — which, same — and this olive oil conveniently cuts out any need to chop or even touch a single clove. It also means less prep, so less time peeling and mincing! The garlic is steeped in the oil, just like a tea bag, so you still get the flavor.

It can be used for sautéing or roasting, adding to dressings or dips, drizzling over soup or bread, and even baking (the label recommends focaccia!). 

And I will be honest: I hadn’t heard of Algae Cooking Club before. But my friend and coworker Rachel did know its lore. She said it’s her go-to recipe testing oil because the OG version is apparently the platonic ideal of a neutral oil. 

What also caught my eye is the high smoke point of 535ºF. I recently rescued a stainless steel cooking set from the depths of my parents’ garage (where it sat for nine years), and so I really do require an oil that can handle high heat. And sorry to olive oil, but it smokes too fast too often. 

Usually, I find flavored oils unimpressive. Also, they’re often olive oils so they don’t perform as well in high heat situations. I think the flavors either compete too much, or one completely overwhelms the other. All this to say, I had some apprehension. 

After trying Nara’s grilled cheese and tomato soup at said event, both Rachel and I were surprised at how the garlic flavor really does come through. We could taste garlic in every bite, but it’s not so overpowering that it cancels out the cheesy sandwich.

This product may save you from garlic fingers, but it will not save you from garlic breath. The garlic taste is strong (yes, we measure garlic with our heart here tysm), but you also get the secondary notes of the yuzu, miso, and scallion combo. It adds an extra savory edge or bite of flavor — and requires a breath mint.

Of course, I had to try it in one of my favorite pasta recipes, aglio e olio. And you know what? Not having to peel and mince fresh garlic — and I was fresh out of it anyways — was nice. And quick. And convenient. 

I just added the oil, crushed red pepper flakes, some pasta water, and the cooked pasta. The whole process was easier, faster, and more hands off than usual. Plus, it didn’t condemn me to smelling garlic on my fingers for the rest of the day. The dish was tasty as usual but with a slightly more complex flavor. It also filled my apartment with the aroma of garlic bread that was so delicious I know candle companies are jealous. 

The other night was rainy so it was time to make kimchi tofu stew and I reached for this oil because I was not stepping foot outside my apartment to restock garlic. Once again, I could definitely taste its presence in the stew, which mingled well with all the other ingredients. I can see myself using this to maybe drizzle on frozen pizza or soup, and add when I feel a dish is lacking flavor or some umami.

To the skeptics and the haters, sorry. This oil has definitely earned a spot on my countertop, right next to the stove! 

Buy: Nara Smith x Algae Cooking Club Roasted Garlic Oil, $28 for 1 bottle at Algae Cooking Club

Have you tried Nara Smith’s new oil? Tell us about it in the comments below.