There are many options if you don’t want to use vegetable oil! Here are the best vegetable oil substitutes in recipes and baking.
Looking for a substitute for vegetable oil? Vegetable oil is a neutral oil used in cooking. It is made from the extraction of oils from different types of seeds, grains, fruits and nuts. What makes vegetable oil unique is its neutral taste. It’s often used in baked goods to add texture and richness. If you’re trying to avoid vegetable oil for health reasons, or you’ve just run out of it, here are the best ways to replace it!
Best Vegetable Oil Substitutes
1. Organic grapeseed oil, rapeseed oil or sunflower oil.
The Best Oil Substitute? Another neutral oil! Try grapeseed oil, canola oil, or sunflower oil as a 1:1 substitute for vegetable oil. Find organic versions of these oils if you can. They all have a neutral taste and are quite interchangeable with vegetable oil.
2. Olive Oil (for salad dressings or stir-fries).
If you’re making something salty like salad dressing or stir-fries, you can use olive oil as a 1:1 substitute for vegetable oil. Olive oil is known as a healthy oil and its preparation is similar to vegetable oil. Avoid using olive oil in cooking as it can add a strong floral flavor.
Compare the differences! See Vegetable oil versus olive oil.
3. Melted coconut oil or butter (for cooking).
Can butter be substituted for oil in baking? Yes! You can use melted coconut oil or butter as a 1:1 substitute for vegetable oil in baked goods like muffins, cakes, and cookies. The resulting texture will be very similar, although it may taste slightly different. Coconut oil is the best choice for a vegan and plant-based diet.
4. Applesauce (for cooking).
Looking for a healthy oil substitute? If you’re looking to save calories on baked goods, you can use applesauce or another fruit puree, like mashed banana, as a substitute for vegetable oil. But be warned: while using applesauce reduces calories, replacing all of the oil will soften the texture of the pastry a lot. For this reason we recommend half the oil with applesauce, then use another oil (above) for the remaining half.
Here are some of our favorite recipes where you could use an oil substitute:
Last update: November 2020
