Are you looking for an avocado oil substitute because your dish has it as a required ingredient? Many people use this oil for cooking and for salad dressings because it has a mild flavor and the refined version has a high smoke point.
Instead of rushing out to buy avocado oil, you can use another oil.
Avocado is also known as butter fruit because of its high fat content. And avocado oil is actually extracted from the fruit, unlike many oils which come from oil-rich seeds. As such, it is extremely nutritious and healthy and comparable to extra virgin olive oil.
10 Avocado Oil Substitutes For You To Use
1. Peanut Oil
Peanut oil is a relatively healthy fat though it is usually manufactured as a refined oil. It is odorless and has a very light color, so you can use it in sweet and savory dishes. It has a fairly high smoke point, so can be used for grilling, in barbecues, and for frying.
If you are using it instead of avocado oil, it will not affect the color or taste of the dish. You can even use it to make salad dressings.
2. Olive Oil
Extra virgin olive oil ranks similarly as avocado oil as far as health benefits are concerned. You can use extra virgin oil in dressings and for drizzling. If you want to use olive oil for cooking, it is better if you use a light or pure olive oil and keep the EVVO for use in raw food.
When cooking with olive oil, just make sure that you don’t use it at an extremely high temperature, even if you are not using the EVVO version of olive oil. With its neutral taste and light flavor it works as an avocado oil replacement.
3. Grapeseed Oil
This is another light and healthy oil with a fresh flavor. While you can use it in cooking and to make sauces, gravies, soups, casseroles, and other dishes, avoid drizzling it over pasta or pizza or use it in a pesto.
You can use it in your vinaigrette and mayonnaise dressing, where it will lend a pop of taste to your food.
4. Coconut Oil
Coconut oil has its own taste and flavor. When you are cooking with it, this may not be noticeable, but if you are using it raw (and if it is cold pressed) it has a characteristic smell. If this appeals to you, you can use it.
In baking and cooking you can use coconut oil, which solidifies sometimes even at room temperature, without any problem. If you are cooking with it, avoid using it over high heat.
5. Sesame Oil
With a nutty and earthy flavor sesame oil is often used in Chinese cooking and as a finishing oil in many dishes. It is also popular in Korea and India. You can also use it for pickling. When you use it instead of avocado oil it may add its own taste to the dishes.
You can use sesame oil for salad dressings and to drizzle over foods. It has a somewhat bright color that may make it more visible over white colored foods.
6. Macadamia Oil
Macadamia oil is a delicate oil sourced from the nut. It has a smooth flavor and good mouth feel. You can use it in baking and cooking and also in uncooked foods. It has more unsaturated fats (the good fats) that are healthful.
You can use it instead of avocado oil in most dishes, without compromising on the taste or flavor.
7. Flaxseed Oil
This highly nutritious seed is also a source of the healthy flaxseed oil. You can use this instead of avocado oil in most dishes. It is best used in foods that are served raw, in salad dressings, or as a finishing oil.
Flaxseed oil does not do well if it is overheated, so avoid using it while cooking food as its flavor intensifies and may overpower the food.
8. Sunflower Oil
Sunflower oil is widely used as a cooking oil. It is manufactured as a refined version and is used in many countries. It has some health benefits, has a high smoke point and a neutral taste.
You can use it in raw and cooked dishes, in baking sweet and savory foods, in grilling, sautéing, stir-frying, and deep frying. It can also be used in baking where you can use oil instead of other solid fats.
9. Ghee
Pure ghee or clarified butter (since the milk solids are removed from butter) is widely used in India and is now enjoying global popularity thanks to its health properties. In fact, Ayurveda says that it is a very healthy fat.
It has a smooth taste and good mouth feel. It also has a rich taste that makes all savory and sweet foods taste better. It is often drizzled or smeared over hot foods. However, you cannot really use it to make salad dressings, though you can use it in baking.
10. Vegetable Oils
Vegetable oils may be from different plants and seeds. You can get oils such as rice bran oil, canola, corn oil, palm oil, soybean oil, safflower oil, cotton seed oil and many others. These are typically sold in a refined and processed version.
Most vegetable oils can be used interchangeably with each other and instead of other oils like avocado oil. You can use them in cooking and baking and even in salad dressings. They usually have a neutral taste and a fairly bland and unnoticeable flavor that will not overwhelm the dish.
FAQ
Can I replace avocado oil with vegetable oil?
You can use any blended or single sourced vegetable oil instead of avocado oil in cooking and baking and even raw. As vegetable oils are refined, you will not get the grassy taste of avocado, but they prove an easily accessible substitute for avocado oil.
How to substitute avocado oil in baking?
You can use any neutral tasting oil for baking and use it in the same quantity as well. If you have a whole ripe avocado, you can mash that up and use instead of oil or butter also.
Can I replace olive oil with avocado oil?
Both oils have similar health benefits and you can always use one for the other in the same ratio. They can be used in cooked and uncooked dishes, both sweet and savory.
To Sum Up
Whether you want to use an avocado oil substitute because you have run out of it and simply don’t use it, there are many different alternatives that you can use. Most of the time, you can replace it in the same measure or weight as called for in the recipe.
Instead of avocado oil, you can use olive oil, coconut oil, peanut oil, flaxseed oil, grapeseed oil, ghee, sunflower oil, sesame oil or any oil that you have on hand. You can use almost any oil that you use for your everyday cooking instead of avocado oil, when necessary.
When you buy cold pressed or gourmet oils that are expensive and used occasionally, it is always a good idea to keep them in a cool and dark place, like the refrigerator.
These oils are prone to spoilage at room temperature and even turning rancid. It is usually fine if you buy these oils in small bottles that are used up quickly. If you buy them in larger quantities, decant and keep the major portion refrigerated.