Are You Looking for a Canola Oil Substitute? Well, look no more!
Canola oil is one of the healthiest choices for cooking. But, if for some reason you don’t fancy it or you can’t always rely on finding it, there are other options. Pick your canola oil substitute from our suggestions below!
Canola oil, which is similar, but not the same as rapeseed oil, is one of the most appreciated vegetable fats. Sure, it’s not as posh and famous in high circles, as its more influential friends – avocado or coconut oil – but it gets the job done! Canola oil is highly versatile and has plenty of benefits. So, why use something else, right?
People have to look for canola oil alternatives if they have run out and can’t get to the store or simply if they don’t believe rapeseed is the most healthy choice. If this is the case, we have more than a couple of replacements lined up for you. Just keep drizzling! I mean, scrolling!
Canola oil: benefits, uses & flavor profile
While it’s considered one of the healthiest oils, canola is still not as trusted as avocado or coconut oil. Although its neutral taste makes it ideal for cooking just about anything, since there is no aroma for foods to take on, many people prefer canola oil substitutes. Let’s talk more about what rapeseed oil has to offer:
- Being neutral in taste, Rapeseed oil lets other ingredients shine. It doesn’t overwhelm the dish, nor does it make the food overly greasy.
- This oil also has a medium to high smoking point (325 °F to 520 °F), making it ideal for many cooking techniques and a lot of dishes. It can be used in baking, pan-frying, or sautéing.
- While some people are concerned about the disadvantages of canola, this vegetable fat is one of the healthiest in terms of nutrients and fat content. It is high in omega-3 fatty acids but low in trans and saturated fats and contains plenty of vitamin E, making it one of the best for cholesterol levels. And yet it does have some bad press. How come?
- There are some concerns around whether canola is chemical-free. To get the oil from the seed, the plant goes through a refining process, raising concerns related to health as hexane solvent is used in the oil extraction. This is under scrutiny, and so is the fact that the plant has reportedly been modified to make is resistant to harmful pests.
What can you use instead of canola oil if you have these concerns? Here are some alternatives you can use for equal, if not better, benefits in terms of taste, versatility, and nutritional intake.
Choose your canola oil substitute
Canola oil is quite cheap and if you’ve been using it, you’ve grown accustomed to its neutral flavor. But what can you replace canola oil with if you run out or have decided it’s not as good as once thought? Well, don’t panic, there are so many choices.
1. Sunflower Oil
High in omega-6 fatty acids that control bad cholesterol and provide nutritional intake, sunflower oil is a versatile choice. It’s also a neutral oil so it doesn’t overpower your food. It even does a good job in roasted dishes. It’s one of the best substitutes for canola oil being most similar. In terms of nutrients, it’s even better.
2. Safflower Oil
How to substitute canola oil if you’re looking to deep-fry? Choose a high smoking point oil! Safflower oil is one. And it’s quite neutral in terms of aroma, so your ingredients will not take on its taste.
3. Corn Oil
What to use instead of canola oil if you want to pan-fry or deep fry and need a high smoking point fat? Corn oil, especially cold-pressed, has cholesterol-balancing effects and is very affordable too.
4. Avocado Oil
What can you use instead of canola oil if you want a healthy option? Avocado oil has the highest amount of good fats. It’s one of the most heat-stable oils out there and it has a rather mild flavor, so your foods will not be altered too much taste-wise.
5. Peanut Oil
If you’re not allergic, peanut oil can be used instead of canola. While it’s a good canola oil replacement, keep in mind that this oil has an intense flavor and will add a sweet and nutty taste to your dish. It also has a high smoking point, so no risk of burning your oil or getting a bitter finish due to high temperatures.
6. Olive Oil
Olive oil can be a good canola oil substitute, especially since it has many health benefits. The only disadvantage of this type of oil (especially the extra virgin one, which possesses the most nutrients) is that it doesn’t do well at high temperatures.
Make sure to only use it in salads, dips, pasta, grilling, as a cold drizzle in soups or over your veggies.
7. Coconut Oil
If you’re browsing the popular list of alternatives for canola oil, coconut oil is a good choice. It has a high smoking point, so feel free to use it for baked and fried foods. However, this vegetable oil contains more saturated fats, so go easy on it!
8. Almond Oil
Almond oil is rich in vitamins E and B, good fatty acids (monounsaturead fatty acids) and a few minerals. While it may not be the most similar alternative to canola oil, it will give your food with a rich, nutty, earthy aroma.
9. Vegetable Oil
If you’re looking for cheap canola oil alternatives, this is your go-to choice. It’s also neutral in flavor and has a high smoking point. But you may want to use it scarcely since it can be quite unhealthy.
10. Soybean Oil
If you have it around, soybean can be a good canola oil alternative. But, if you are thinking of using it, don’t use too much! This type of oil is usually refined, blended, and sometimes even hydrogenated. Though it does have a neutral flavor.
11. Applesauce or Mashed Banana
Uhm, I’m sorry, what? Well, yes! Canola oil can be replaced with applesauce or ripe, mashed bananas in your baked dishes. A 1:1 ratio should suffice. Talk about a healthier option!
Rapeseed oil is quite versatile and cheap. You may have grown to like it and think you can’t do without it. But if you run out, there is always a canola oil substitute for you to try! Just make sure to adapt the amount to your dish, checking the stability at high temperatures and flavors! Simple as that!
