If you like perfectly fried items, canola oil might have a permanent spot in your pantry. But when you use it so much, you are always at risk of running out of it. Don’t worry; I have amazing canola oil substitutes.
Some of the best canola oil substitutes are coconut oil, olive oil, walnut oil, grapeseed oil, vegetable oil, and soybean oil.
Canola oil is extracted from crushed canola seeds. From a health point of view, it is considered the best oil for heart health as it lowers cholesterol levels. It also has unsaturated fats and omega-3 fatty acids.
Canola oil has a light flavor and smooth texture with a high smoke point.
It is the most versatile oil because of its many uses in dishes and cooking methods. For instance, It can be used as cooking oil, salad dressing, sauces, and marinades.
Canola oil’s various uses, light taste, and smooth texture make it difficult to find an alternative. But we found some substitutes that you can use when you need canola oil.
Read the article below to learn how and where to use the substitute for canola oil.
15 Best Canola Oil Substitutes You Can Try!
1. Coconut Oil
Coconut oil is made from coconut milk and is the best choice for vegan and plant-based diets.
It has a colorless look and a smooth texture with a mild, nutty flavor. If we freeze it, it will have a thick and creamy texture.
You can use coconut oil in baking cookies, muffins, and cakes as a canola oil substitute. It complements those dishes that have coconut involved.
It has a low smoke point, so it is not a good option for sautéing. If you are using coconut oil in place of canola oil, use it in an equal amount.
2. Olive Oil
Another option to consider when looking for a canola oil substitute is olive oil. Olive oil is great for heart health but expensive compared to other oils. It is extracted from green and black olives as an oil.
If we see its flavor profile, it has a fruity flavor and, of course, tastes like olives with bitter notes.
You can drizzle olive oil over salads and pizzas or add it to marinades, sauces, and appetizers. Due to its medium-high smoke point, it is used for sautéing. You can use an equal amount of olive oil as an alternative to canola oil.
Pro tip: Don’t use olive oil in baking because it can add a strong flavor.
3. Avocado Oil
From a health point of view, it is excellent for eye health as it contains nutrients like lutein. Avocado oil has a high smoke point and is best for stir-frying and deep-frying.
However, since it makes potatoes crispy and delicious, it works best in potato recipes. In baking, it is used to increase the moistness of cakes.
When replacing canola oil with avocado oil, follow the standard 1:1 ratio.
4. Grapeseed Oil
Grapeseed oil is made from grape seeds and is a byproduct of the winemaking process. It is a budget-friendly option.
It is a light yellowish-green color with a thin and silky texture. It is used for deep frying and other high-temperature cooking methods because it has a neutral flavor and a high smoking point.
You can grill or sear various meats and vegetables in grapeseed oil. It can also enhance the taste of salad dressing by adding it.
You can use an equal amount of grapeseed oil as an alternative to canola oil.
5. Vegetable Oil
Vegetable oil is a plant-based oil. Many people think it is made with vegetables, but contrary to this, it can be made with fruits, nuts, and seeds. It is economical and effortlessly available in stores nearby.
It has a neutral flavor and a low smoking point. It is used in stir-frying, grilling, and baking. It is essential for the fluffy and moist texture of baked goods like cakes, brownies, and muffins.
Vegetable oil has various health benefits, including aiding metabolism and digestion and reducing the risk of cardiovascular diseases.
When replacing canola oil with vegetable oil, follow the standard 1:1 ratio.
6. Safflower Oil
Safflower oil is a vegetable oil extracted from the seeds of the safflower plant. It has a neutral flavor and is colorless with a watered-down texture.
It has a high smoke point and is excellent for deep-frying, searing, and stir-frying. It is used to make margarine and mayonnaise as well.
You can use an equal amount of safflower oil as an alternative to canola oil.
7. Sunflower Oil
Sunflower oil, as its name implies, is extracted from the sunflower plant. Its color ranges from yellow to nearly opaque yellowish-white liquid.
It tastes mild and has a high smoke point, like canola oil. In place of canola oil, sunflower oil can be used in baking, margarine, salad dressings, and frying.
From a health perspective, sunflower oil is a healthy oil that is high in fats and has vitamin E, with a lower risk of heart disease. When replacing canola oil with sunflower oil, follow the standard 1:1 ratio.
8. Lard
You might think lard is a bizarre substitute for canola oil. It is an animal fat made from pork fat, and portions like pork belly, pork butt, or pork shoulder render the most lard.
It is the melted fat of a pig with a creamy white color and a flavor that ranges from mildly porky to neutral and flavorless.
It has a high smoke point and is used as fat in cooking, baking, and deep-frying. It is flawless to make the best pie crust and flour tortillas.
It is an excellent source of vitamin D and fats from a medical standpoint. Use lard to substitute for canola oil in the same quantities, in a 1:1 ratio.
9. Applesauce
Applesauce is a puree made with cooked apples in water, apple juice, or apple cider vinegar.
It tastes primarily like apples and has a thick consistency. It is ideal for baking because it prevents bounciness and adds a lot of moisture due to its high water content.
Applesauce is good for health and reduces the risk of cancer, diabetes, and heart disease. When replacing canola oil with applesauce, follow the standard 1:1 ratio.
10. Peanut Oil
Peanut oil is also known as groundnut oil and Arachis oil. It is an oil that derives from peanuts.
Peanut oil has a thin consistency, and its flavor varies depending on how it is made. For instance, raw peanuts have a milder taste, whereas roasted peanuts have a more robust taste.
Peanut oil has a high smoke point. It has a distinctly nutty aftertaste and is best used for frying dishes.
It has many health benefits. It is a prominent source of vitamin E and is even good for reducing cholesterol levels, improving blood circulation, preventing acne problems, and being a remedy for constipation.
Use peanut oil to substitute canola oil in the same quantities, in a 1:1 ratio.
11. Walnut Oil
Walnut oil is considered a good substitute for canola oil. Since it is made from thick walnut paste, oil filters it.
If we talk about the flavor profile, it has a rich and nutty flavor. Due to its low smoke point, it is used to make desserts, salad dressings, pizzas, steaks, and fish dishes.
Walnut oil has many health benefits, including improving skin conditions, reducing blood pressure, and controlling blood sugar levels.
You can use an equal amount of walnut oil as an alternative to canola oil.
12. Melted Butter And Ghee
Butter is a good substitute for canola oil. It is a type of fat made by churning the cream of milk, with a rich, creamy mouthfeel and sublime taste.
It is fantastic for baking cakes, muffins, and cookies as it has a low smoke point, and if you want to fry, you can use clarified butter or ghee.
It is made by boiling butter until the water evaporates and the fat clarifies. It has a strong, nutty, sweet flavor with a high smoke point.
Once extracted, you can use it as an alternative to canola oil for sautéing vegetables, grilling meats, and even as a spread on toast or roti bread.
You can use melted butter or ghee as a 1:1 substitute for canola oil.
13. Cottonseed oil
Cottonseed oil is a fantastic canola oil substitute. It is made from the seeds of cotton plants and has a mild, nut-like taste.
Due to its high smoke point, it can be used for deep frying, baking, mayonnaise, sauces, salad dressings, and marinades.
Cottonseed oil has a dozen health benefits, including improving high blood pressure and reducing the risk of heart disease and stroke.
Use cottonseed oil to substitute for canola oil in the same quantities, in a 1:1 ratio.
14. Corn Oil
Corn oil is considered a healthy and budget-friendly canola oil substitute. As the name implies, it is made from the gem of the corn plant and has a neutral taste.
Due to its high smoke point, it is suitable for sautéing and frying. You can drizzle in salad dressings and marinades.
It is a healthy choice because, as I previously mentioned, it is high in vitamin E, omega-6 fatty acids, and phytosterols, which help to regulate cholesterol levels and support heart health.
Use corn oil to substitute for canola oil in the same quantities, in a 1:1 ratio.
15. Soybean oil
One of the most popular cooking oils is soybean oil, which extracts from the soybean seed. Its flavor is mild and unremarkable because soybean oil is typically refined, blended, and hydrogenated.
It works well paired with vinegar and a dash of salt and pepper to make an easy salad dressing. It has a high smoke point, making it great for frying.
From a health perspective, it has several health benefits, including promoting skin health, reducing cholesterol levels, preventing bone loss, and providing omega-3 fatty acids.
You can use an equal amount of soybean oil as an alternative to canola oil.
Short Recap For The Best Canola Oil Substitutes
Best Canola Oil Substitutes in Terms of Flavor and Texture
- Avocado Oil
- Sunflower Oil
- Safflower Oil
Best Canola Oil Substitutes That Are Easily Available
- Grapeseed Oil
- Vegetable Oil
- Sunflower Oil
Best Canola Oil Substitutes That Are Used For Baking
- Coconut Oil
- Applesauce
- Butter
Best Canola Oil Substitutes Should Be Least Considered
- Butter
How To Substitute Canola Oil In A Recipe
15 Best Canola Oil Substitutes You Can Try!
Ingredients
- Coconut Oil
- Olive Oil
- Avocado Oil
- Grapeseed Oil
- Vegetable Oil
- Safflower Oil
- Sunflower Oil
- Melted Butter and Ghee
- Lard
- Applesauce
- Peanut Oil
- Walnut oil
- Cottonseed Oil
- Corn Oil
- Soybean Oil
Instructions
- Go through the substitutes and see which one seems fit for the recipe.
- Collect your ingredients and use your preferred substitute.
- Use the substitute in the required amount and make the dish according to the recipe.
Conclusion
I hope this article has provided you with enough knowledge to help you deal with the situation of running out of canola oil. You can choose anyone based on your preferences because their flavor profiles and health advantages have been covered.
You should be able to find a substitute that works for your recipes using the options listed above. Let me know about your experiments with the best canola oil substitutes. See you soon at the next one.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What can I use if I don’t have canola oil?
You can use flaxseed, coconut, walnut, and olive oils as an alternative to canola oil.
What is the best substitute for canola oil in baking?
You can use grapeseed oil, vegetable oil, or sunflower oil as a substitute for canola oil.
Can I use olive oil in place of canola oil?
Canola oil can replace olive oil in baking and cooking recipes.
Can I use butter instead of canola oil?
Using a 1:1 ratio, switching out butter for oil couldn’t be simpler. Olive, canola, vegetable, and coconut oils should all be suitable for this.
Can I use olive oil instead of canola oil in baking?
Yes, you can use olive oil instead of canola oil in baking.
