When it comes to cooking and baking, a common ingredient that you’ll find in many recipes is vegetable oil, a neutral oil that’s made from extracting the oils from seeds or parts of fruits. But what about when you’re fresh out of this staple product at home, or you’re simply looking for a healthier alternative? Luckily, there are several easy substitutes for vegetable oil, which include some of the healthiest cooking oils as well as other ingredients that might already be a staple in your kitchen. Here, we’ve rounded up some of the best substitutes for vegetable oil, including olive oil, coconut oil, butter, and even applesauce and other mashed fruits.
Whether you’re sautéing vegetables, baking a delicious cake, or even making a salad dressing or marinade, these 10 simple and healthy alternatives work great as convenient replacements for vegetable oil, and can all be used in a 1:1 ratio, meaning that you can use 1 cup of the substitute for every 1 cup of vegetable oil you’d usually use. To find the best substitute for vegetable oil according to your needs and preferences, read on below for a list of suitable alternatives.
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Avocado Oil
Avocado oil is an oil extracted from the pulp of the avocado fruit, and is a healthy, delicious alternative to vegetable oil. With its high smoke point and creamy, buttery flavor, this oil is perfect for just about any cooking uses in the kitchen, including grilling, stir-frying, and sautéing as well as for baking and making dressings or marinades.
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Butter
If you’re looking for a simple ingredient you probably already have in your kitchen, melted butter is an effective substitute for vegetable oil — especially for any baking recipes such as cakes, muffins, or cookies. It’s great for not only adding moisture to your recipe, but for extra flavor and richness as well.
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Flaxseed Oil
Also known as linseed oil, this healthy oil is derived from the dried, ripened seeds of the flax plant. Flaxseed oil is a well-suited vegetable oil substitute for salad dressings, marinades, or drizzling over foods, but it doesn’t work well for cooking over heat or baking as it is not a heat-stable oil.
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Applesauce
Believe it or not, unsweetened applesauce can make a great substitute for vegetable oil in your baked goods, particularly in any breads, cakes, and muffins, as it is will add moisture and actually has fewer calories than oil. Because of its natural sweetness, you can even reduce the amount of sugar you’re using in your recipe!
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Coconut Oil
Coconut oil, an edible oil extracted from the meat of coconuts, is another suitable alternative to vegetable oil. With its relatively high smoke point, it’s great for just about any recipe in the kitchen, including for frying — though you’ll first need to melt the oil as it’s naturally solid at room temperature. It’s also perfect for baking due to its natural sweetness.
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Ghee
If you haven’t yet heard of ghee, this ingredient is a form of clarified butter — meaning that all the milk solids and water have been removed. Commonly used in traditional Indian cooking, ghee has a high smoke point and possesses a rich, nutty flavor that’s well-suited for cooking as well as for baking.
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Yogurt
If you’re baking, you can also substitute vegetable oil with dairy products like yogurt, which can add a creamy, thick texture as well as a slightly tangy taste to any of your baked goods. Plain low-fat yogurt may work best, though vanilla can add a kick of flavor if desired.
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Sesame Oil
Though often overlooked, sesame oil is a tasty and healthy alternative to vegetable oil, especially in seasonings and sauces as well as in stir-fried foods. Due to its strong, distinctive flavor, however, it’s not the best choice for baking or for sweeter dishes, and should be used sparingly in your dish as it can easily overpower other flavors.
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Mashed Fruit or Fruit Puree
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Source : Goodhousekeeping
