If you cook a lot of Asian food at home, you are aware of how important sesame oil is to the flavor. Two varieties of sesame oil—roasted sesame oil, which is derived from toasted sesame seeds, and light sesame oil, which is derived from untoasted sesame seeds—have established themselves as staples in many households’ pantries. Both types of sesame oil have a deliciously nutty flavor, but toasted sesame oil is ideal for soups and noodle meals due to its deeper flavor, while lighter sesame oil is better for deep-frying and stir-frying because of its softer flavor and higher smoke point.
If you’ve been obsessed with stir fries for the past month and all of a sudden realized you don’t have any sesame oil, don’t worry—there are options in your cupboard right now that will help you quickly get back into the frying habit. Although not all alternatives will have the same nutty flavor notes as sesame oil, there are still lots of possibilities for frying, dipping, dressing, and marinating with sesame oil that will still result in a delicious dish when used as directed by our guide.
1. Perilla Oil
If you want something nearly identical to sesame oil, perilla oil is probably your best bet. Similar in flavor and aroma to sesame oil, perilla oil is a nutty, earthy seed oil that is commonly used in Chinese and Korean cooking. It can be used to mimic the flavor of sesame oil in stir-fries, dressings, and marinades.
2. Olive Oil
Olive oil can be a suitable sesame oil substitute because it is a healthy fat, even though sesame oil and olive oil are not very similar. Although you might miss the nutty flavor, substituting extra virgin olive oil for sesame oil works best for recipes where the strong oil flavor contributes significantly to the overall flavor. A light olive oil is an excellent substitute for sesame oil if it is only being used for cooking.
3. Canola Oil
It’s perfectly acceptable to use another excellent cooking oil in lieu of sesame oil when it’s just not necessary to use it as a flavoring ingredient in a meal. Canola oil can be used for baking, deep-frying, or frying where the oil is just a tool to cook food; it has a flavor that is neutral and won’t overshadow a meal.
4. Avocado Oil
Even though avocado oil is another option that lacks the distinct nutty flavor, it can nevertheless work wonders in recipes where the oil’s flavor is crucial. Rich and creamy avocado taste enhances every dish you cook, and its high smoke point makes it perfect for cooking at high temperatures.
5. Tahini
Although tahini is a paste formed from sesame seeds rather than an oil, it works well as a stand-in to ensure that your food has the flavor of sesame seeds. To get the same taste you want from your sesame oil, you can spread its mild, nutty flavor and creamy texture over raw dishes, combine it into sauces, or dilute it with a neutral oil and use it to dips and stir-fries.
6. DIY Sesame Seed Oil
Sometimes the best solution is to manufacture your own sesame oil at home, if everything else fails. In a skillet, mix one cup neutral oil with ¼ cup toasted sesame seeds. Cook over medium heat until the seeds brown, being careful not to burn them as this will impart a burnt flavor to the end product. Use the oil for frying or marinating once it has cooled, been blended, and allowed to rest for a few hours before filtering.
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