The Best Swaps for Vegetable Oil for Any Recipe
Need a quick substitution? We’ve got you covered.
Vegetable oil is a workhorse in our kitchen. This versatile cooking fat has a neutral flavor that works equally well in sweet and savory dishes and can handle high heat (up to about 450°F), so it’s no wonder why we turn to it for everything from roasting vegetables and deep-frying chicken to baking cakes. But it’s certainly not the only ingredient that can get the job done—which is probably reassuring when you’re staring at an empty bottle of the stuff just as you’re about to start cooking.
The good news is that running out doesn’t have to derail your recipe. Vegetable oil is one of the easiest ingredients to replace. You can swap in a different oil such as avocado or canola when you need something neutral in flavor, or try a fat like butter or ghee when you want to add a bit of richness. Because butter burns more quickly, it isn’t ideal for high-heat cooking, however ghee, a strained, clarified butter, can be a great option. Even applesauce or yogurt can be subbed in beautifully in baked goods without much added fat.
To help you figure out what you can use and when, we’ve rounded up our go-to substitutions for vegetable oil and the best ways to use them.
Canola Oil
Technically, canola oil is a type of vegetable oil. Other than marketing, the only difference is that, while vegetable oil is often made from a blend of different seeds, legumes, and grains, such as soybeans and corn, canola oil is made entirely from rapeseed, a member of the Brassica family. Similarly, this pale golden oil has a neutral flavor and a light, non-greasy texture that makes it good for roasting, frying, sautéing, and adding to baked goods like cakes and quick breads. Because of its low saturated fat content, canola is also considered a healthy cooking oil like vegetable oil.
Refined Avocado Oil
Avocado oil is extracted from the pulp of the fruit and is full of heart-healthy fats. It has a incredibly high smoke point (about 520°F!) and a neutral flavor similar to the avocado itself. You can use it instead of vegetable oil but it does usually cost more, so you may only want to swap it into recipes where not much oil is used.
Note: Unrefined avocado oil has a green hue and buttery flavor that, while delicious, isn't a close substitute for vegetable oil.
Refined or Light Olive Oil
Extra-virgin olive oil has a greenish hue, a peppery flavor, and typically a high price tag, but regular olive oil (often labeled 'light') has a lighter color, a milder flavor, and a higher smoke point, similar to vegetable oil. Try it in dressings, marinades, or sautéed vegetables.
Ghee
Ghee is a type of clarified butter made by simmering regular butter until it caramelizes, then straining it to remove all the water. The end result is a jar of toasty, buttery milk solids that is shelf-stable, has a high smoke point, and is nearly lactose-free. The deeply nutty flavor is nothing like the neutral taste of vegetable oil, but we'd argue that it just makes everything—from stir fries and fried eggs to seared fish—taste better.
Coconut Oil
With its relatively high smoke point, refined coconut oil works for just about any recipe and, in particular, unrefined coconut oil is a good swap in baked goods. Just keep in mind it has a more pronounced, somewhat sweet coconut flavor. You'll also first need to melt the oil as it's naturally solid at room temperature.
Butter
Butter needs no introduction: It is the base of many of our favorite baked treats, the ideal topper for toast and pancakes, and the best part of eating escargots. Since butter has a lower smoke point than vegetable oil, it should only be used as a substitute when cooking over a low or medium-low flame, or when baking.
Applesauce
If you're looking to reduce the overall fat content of a recipe, unsweetened applesauce can make an excellent replacement for vegetable oil in your baked goods. We suggest experimenting with this a bit: Try substituting applesauce for half of the vegetable oil to get familiar with how it affects the taste and texture of your favorite recipes.
Yogurt
If you're baking, you can also substitute vegetable oil with yogurt, which can add richness, moisture, and a slightly tangy taste. Plus, you can use flavored yogurt like vanilla for a little extra flavor. Try this technique in our crowd-pleasing Greek Yogurt Pancakes.
RELATED: A Definitive Ranking of the Best Greek Yogurt Brands
Unlock exclusive content and money-saving deals with our all-access membership program.
Readers Also Read
How Long Do Hard-Boiled Eggs Last?
What Is Fridgescaping?
15 Foods to Boost Your Iron Levels
The Best Way to Keep Apples From Browning
