If you are looking for an olive oil substitute, look no further. Sometimes you run out olive oil, sometimes the oil may have turned rancid and unusable. You may discover these factors when you have already started your preparations, or you may just need to make the salad dressing before serving.
In such a situation, you can only look for an alternative to this healthy oil. And what happens in the unlikely event that you don’t have any oil whatsoever? Don’t worry, your needs are still covered thanks to these wonderful alternatives.
Olive Oil Substitutes – The Major Ones
- Avocado oil
For its health benefits, avocado oil is a great substitute for olive oil. It is light and can be used in salad dressings and in other foods.
As this oil has a high smoke point, you can actually use it for cooking, sautéing, and frying as well.
- Canola Oil
Canola oil is a popular oil that is used in all kinds of cooking. It has a neutral taste since it is a processed oil and quite bland.
While you can use it in cooking and baking and to make salad dressings, it is best not to use it as a finishing oil to be drizzled on top of pasta or pizza.
- Corn Oil
Corn oil is another vegetable oil that is refined. It is golden in color, though this does not make a difference in cooking. It has a high smoke point.
This oil is very popular and you may have it in your pantry, soit is user friendly as well.
- Blended Vegetable Oil
Blended oil may comprise a mixture of soyabean, corn, safflower, sunflower, and other plant based oils in varied quantities. It is refined and has a high smoking point.
You can use it instead of olive oil in most foods, but as it has a neutral taste, you will not have the pop of flavor that you would if you were to use olive oil.
- Peanut Oil
Peanut oil is widely used throughout the world. The refined version is similar to other refined oils and this is a favored oil for all kinds of cooking and frying.
Like olive oil, it is high in monounsaturated fats and is considered a healthy oil, so use it instead in cooking, baking, and in other cooking or uncooked dishes.
- Coconut Oil
While coconut oil is enjoying its day in the sun thanks to its many healthful properties, this oil does have a flavor of coconut. You can use it in all kinds of dishes.
Coconut oil often solidifies so may not be the right choice for making salad dressing, though you could melt it and use. It is also a good idea to mix coconut oil with another oil even for salad dressing as it may solidify if used in a cold salad.
- Grapeseed Oil
This is an expensive oil but it is a good alternative for olive oil because of its light flavor and neutral taste. It is also healthy.
You can use it in salad dressings and you can also cook with it. Its taste will not overwhelm the food.
- Almond Oil
Almond oil has a delicate flavor and, when it is cold pressed, its flavor and health benefits are more pronounced. You can use this oil instead of olive oil in soups, salads, baked foods, and even drizzle it on top of foods.
This light colored oil is a source of Vitamin E and adds its own taste and flavor to dishes. You can use it in baked sweets like cookies as well.
- Butter
Were you planning to use olive oil for cooking? Consider butter instead. It adds a rich taste and a ‘butteriness’ to anything you make. Use it in all baked items, cook your food in it, and enjoy.
While you cannot use butter for frying or cook with it at high temperatures without the risk of burning the butter, you can use it in many other ways. You can even use it on top of hot dishes for the added taste.
- Ghee
This clarified butter has long been used in the Indian subcontinent for its rich taste and aroma. Unlike butter, it is lactose free since all the milk solids have been removed.
You can use it for cooking, sautéing, grilling, and in sweets. It can be yellow or white, depending on the kind of milk it is sourced from.
- Vegetable or Chicken Stock
Whether you are looking for a fat free option, a low calorie one or just an alternative to olive oil, you can always use a stock to cook. You can cook your meats and vegetables in stock instead of oil, using enough to prevent the foods from burning.
This may or may not affect the texture of the foods and this depends on what you are making. Obviously, you cannot use this instead of any kind of fat in baking.
- Banana
Mashed banana can actually be used as a replacement for olive oil in baked cakes and cookies. You just have to ensure that the banana flavor will not overpower the dish and it complements the flavoring used.
You would use half as much banana as you would olive oil. You cannot use this in savory dishes.
FAQ
Can I use butter instead of olive oil?
You can use butter in many dishes both sweet and savory. It will add its own taste to the dish, which will be different from when you use olive oil.
What is a low calorie substitute for olive oil?
All oils have a similar calorie count. You can reduce the oil you use, or cook without the use of any oil or fat.
What is healthier than olive oil?
While extra virgin olive oil is a healthy fat, avocado oil has a high smoke point so can be used in cooked and uncooked dishes equally. It is also very nutritious.
Final Words
When you are in a bind, you can usually substitute one cooking oil for another. You have to ensure that the taste of the alternative you use is mild enough and will complement the foods.
Even when you use olive oil, you have to check that the olive oil you use is the right one. For instance, extra virgin olive oil is best used in uncooked dishes, salad dressings, pesto and the like whereas pure olive oil or light olive oil can be used in cooking.