Grapeseed oil is one of the most useful oils in cooking and skincare. It has many health benefits and high smoke point (around 420°F) which allows it to be used in searing meat and vegetables, serving as a topping for salads and baked goods. It comes with a neutral flavor
Grapeseed oil is popular particularly in France, Spain and Italy and if you can’t find it in your local stores, you can refer to other types of oil to complete the list of your ingredients and make the dish you want.
Here are the best substitutes for grapeseed oil: avocado oil, peanut oil, safflower oil, sunflower oil, sesame oil, vegetable oil, canola oil, plain unsalted butter, walnut oil, hazelnut oil, macadamia nut oil, extra virgin olive oil and almond oil.
Grapeseed Oil Substitutes for Frying
1. Avocado Oil
In order to choose the right oil for frying you should make sure it has a high smoke point. So, avocado oil is used both in raw and cooked dishes and it comes with a 482°F heat level. You can safely use it in frying too, if you want to replace it with grapeseed oil.
2. Peanut Oil
Between the best oils for frying, stir-frying and deep frying you’ll surely meet peanut oil. It comes with 450°F heat level and can be used to substitute grapeseed oil in many cooked dishes.
Peanut oil has a strong nutty flavor and it is often used in Asian dishes and mainly in fried meals.
Compared to grapeseed oil, which is higher in fat, peanut oil is healthier. It is high in monounsaturated fats and low in saturated fats.
You can buy both refined and cold pressed peanut oil but if you find it expensive in your local stores, then you may try another option.
3. Safflower Oil
Safflower oil is rich in unsaturated fats and is used in high heat cooking. So, you can safely use it in frying in place of grapeseed oil. It has an almost neutral flavor which won’t be reflected in your dish.
You can easily get this oil from stores. We can’t say safflower is better than other oils, but it has its special place in cooking and is a popular option to use instead of many other oils due to its high smoke level 440 to 520 °F.
4. Sunflower Oil
Another popular oil is sunflower oil. It is rich in healthy fats and comes with 440 °F smoke level. You can use it in any savory dish you like from salads to baked goods and from grilled dishes to fried foods.
Sunflower oil has a mild flavor and it works well even in sweets and baked goods. Thus, if you are looking for a grapeseed oil replacement in desserts, you can try sunflower oil.
5. Sesame Oil
There are several types of sesame oil and if you choose light-colored one you’ll end up with a neutral taste. Dark sesame oil, on the other hand, has a strong nutty aroma. It has a rich nutty and pungent aroma that will be reflected in your dish.
Make sure you use light sesame oil when you decide to replace it with grapeseed oil. It comes with almost the same heat level (410°F) as grapeseed oil and is suitable for the same cooked dishes.
Grapeseed Oil Substitutes for Baking
6. Vegetable Oil
When it comes to baking, we are supposed to choose oils that can keep our dish moisty, provide it with a golden-reddish hue and come with a matching flavor.
Vegetable oil is a high heat oil with a neutral flavor and it’s suitable for almost all baked goods. Some baked goods call for grapeseed oil and if you don’t have it in hand, you can replace it with vegetable oil.
7. Canola Oil / Rapeseed Oil
Canola oil is perhaps the best substitute for grapeseed oil. It offers similar features and has a 400°F heat level. This oil comes with an earthy and nutty flavor.
You can use it for roasted vegetables and mushrooms but it also works as a topping for salads and goes well with sauces too.
We offer to use it in baking as it makes baked dishes shiny enough and maintains the desired level of moisture in it.
Canola oil won’t make the dish too flavorful and is suitable to choose in place of grapeseed oil for baked goods.
8. Plain Unsalted Butter
Some people don’t like using oils in the bakery. If you are among them, then here is a good solution for you. Use plain unsalted oil to replace grapeseed oil in your recipe.
Butter adds moisture and softness to the baked dish and helps baked goods rise and last longer. It provides a rich and tasty flavor and is best paired with desserts.
Grapeseed Oil Substitutes for Salads
9. Walnut, Hazelnut or Macadamia Nut Oils
Several types of nut oils such as walnut, hazelnut or macadamia nut oils have similar usage as grapeseed oil and they can serve as great toppings and dressings for salads. You can also use them in mayonnaise and dipping sauces instead of grapeseed oil.
Nut oils have a delicate nutty flavor and the most high-quality nut oils are cold-pressed and unrefined ones. In some cases, processing and heating destroy some nutrients of nuts and fruits resulting in a bitter taste.
So, use unprocessed nut oils if the price is not a matter for you.
10. Extra Virgin Olive Oil
Another unprocessed and unrefined oil is extra virgin olive oil that has a wide usage in salads and sauces. It is used as a topping for many dishes and is a rich source of vitamins.
Although olive oil has a 374–405°F heat level, it is mostly suitable for raw dishes, salads and as a drizzle or dressing for snacks.
11. Almond Oil
Compared to other nut oils, almond oil is more popular in cooking. Its heat level is the same as grapeseed oil’s smoke level and if you choose refined almond oil, you can use it in cooking and baking.
However, we recommend using unrefined almond oil instead of refined and processed almond oil. It can be used to replace grapeseed oil as a topping for salads, vegetables, fish and cream soups. It has a mild, nutty flavor.
FAQs on Grapeseed Oil
What is grapeseed oil best used for?
You can use grapeseed oil in everyday cooking for stir-frying, sauteing, baking, soups, and sauces. You can use it as a dressing for salads.
Is grapeseed oil healthy?
Grapeseed oil is rich in vitamin E and it has high antioxidant properties. It helps to reduce the risk of heart disease as well as prevent some types of cancers.
Can I use corn oil to substitute grapeseed oil?
If you are looking for a cheaper alternative to grapeseed oil then corn oil is a good idea. It is one of the most popular oils and you can easily find it from grocery stores.
Is grapeseed oil good for hair?
Yes, grapeseed oil contains vitamin E which adds moisture and fatty acids to the scalp and helps your hair stay hydrated. It also brings shine to hair.
Is grapeseed oil good for your skin?
Grapeseed oil is one of the most useful oils for skin. It moisturizes the skin keeping it hydrated, recovers your skin tone and fights against wrinkles and fine lines. Grapeseed oil also helps to restore the elasticity of the skin.
Summary
When it comes to the choice of the best substitute for oils, it’s recommended to check the fats they contain. Some oils are high in good fats and others are high in bad fats which are harmful for your health.
As for the substitutes for grapeseed oil, we have chosen the most popular and appropriate options for you to help you stay healthy.