Six Healthier Vegetable Oil Substitutes

If you cook or bake frequently at home, you’ve undoubtedly had to use vegetable oil, a neutral oil derived from the extraction of fruit and seed oils. Vegetable oil is often used for a wide range of recipes, from savory to sweet, due to its mild flavor, which gives the necessary moisture and fat content without being overbearing.

Since vegetable oil is a widely used product, you don’t need to worry if you run out of it because there are many healthy substitutes that function just as well.

You most likely already have some of the greatest vegetable oil replacements in your pantry or refrigerator, such as butter, olive oil, coconut oil, and even unsweetened applesauce. These can all be used in a 1:1 ratio, making it easy to determine how much of each you need. Use our list of 6 healthy vegetable oil substitutes to find the ideal option that won’t leave you without oil while grilling meats, sautéing veggies, or baking a moist cake.

1. Olive Oil

One of the healthiest oils available is olive oil, which is a favorite for marinades and dips. Olive oil, which is extracted from the fruit of olive trees, is rich in monosaturated fatty acids, which lower the risk of heart disease. Olive oil has a much stronger flavor than vegetable oil, which is more neutral. As a result, although it works well as a stand-in for marinades, salad dressings, and sautéed foods, you might want to stay away from using it in baked products.

2. Avocado Oil

Vegetable oil can be substituted with avocado oil, which is made from your favorite guacamole component and tastes great. It’s a terrific substitute for vegetable oil in whatever dish you’re working on, whether it’s for salads, marinades, sautés, grilled meats, or baked goods. It has a more buttery, creamy flavor and a higher smoke point.

3. Applesauce

Unsweetened applesauce, which adds taste and moisture while having less calories, works wonders as a substitute for vegetable oil in a range of baked items, including breads, cakes, and muffins. Using applesauce in your baked products also allows you to reduce the quantity of sugar you need in your sweet recipes due to its natural sweetness.

4. Coconut Oil

Because of its high smoke point, coconut oil, which is extracted from coconut meat, is a fantastic substitute for vegetable oil. Because of its inherent sweetness, coconut oil can be used in place of vegetable oil in almost any recipe. However, because it is naturally solid at room temperature, it must first be melted.

5. Butter

Butter works just as well as vegetable oil when you need a quick and easy replacement, especially for baking recipes like cakes, muffins, and cookies. The best news is that butter is probably already in your refrigerator. It’s excellent for adding moisture, richness, and flavor to recipes.

6. Ghee

Without even realizing it, you have most likely consumed ghee if you have ever eaten traditional Indian food. Ghee is a type of clarified butter with a high smoke point and a rich, nutty flavor that is prepared by straining out all of the milk solids and water from butter. Ghee is a useful and tasty substitute for vegetable oil in any savory or sweet recipe that doesn’t overshadow the finished dish.

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