🫒 Oils & Fats

Best Olive Oil Substitutes - Complete Guide for Cooking & Baking

Discover the best olive oil substitutes for cooking, baking, and salad dressings. Learn which oils work best for different recipes and cooking methods.

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Quick Answer

The best olive oil substitutes are canola oil, vegetable oil, avocado oil, and coconut oil. Choose based on cooking method: canola/vegetable for neutral flavor, avocado for high-heat cooking, coconut for baking, and walnut oil for dressings.

Best Substitutes

Canola Oil

1:1

Neutral-flavored oil with a smoke point of 400°F, making it perfect for most cooking applications. It's the closest substitute to olive oil in terms of versatility.

Best for:

bakingfryingsautéingsalad dressingsgeneral cooking

Most versatile substitute with neutral flavor and similar smoke point to olive oil

Vegetable Oil

1:1

A blend of neutral oils that works well in most recipes. Similar cooking properties to olive oil without the distinctive flavor.

Best for:

bakingfryingsautéingcookinggeneral use

Most similar to olive oil in cooking properties with neutral flavor

Avocado Oil

1:1

Premium oil with a high smoke point and mild, buttery flavor. Excellent for high-heat cooking and adds a subtle richness to dishes.

Best for:

high-heat cookingfryingroastinggrillingsalad dressings

High smoke point (520°F) makes it excellent for high-heat cooking and frying

Coconut Oil

1:1

Solid at room temperature with a subtle coconut flavor. Use refined coconut oil for a more neutral taste in baking and cooking.

Best for:

bakingsautéingvegan cookingtropical dishes

Solid at room temperature, adds slight coconut flavor. Use refined for neutral taste

Grapeseed Oil

1:1

Light, neutral oil with a high smoke point. Perfect for high-heat cooking without adding any flavor to your dishes.

Best for:

high-heat cookingfryingsautéingmarinades

High smoke point (420°F) and neutral flavor make it excellent for cooking

Walnut Oil

1:1

Rich, nutty oil that's perfect for salad dressings and finishing dishes. Has a lower smoke point so avoid high-heat cooking.

Best for:

salad dressingsfinishing dishesdrizzlingcold applications

Rich, nutty flavor perfect for dressings and finishing dishes. Don't heat above 320°F

Cooking Tips

  • 💡For baking, use neutral oils like canola or vegetable oil to avoid overpowering the recipe
  • 💡When substituting in salad dressings, consider the flavor profile - walnut oil adds richness, while canola oil keeps it neutral
  • 💡For high-heat cooking like frying or roasting, choose oils with high smoke points like avocado or grapeseed oil
  • 💡If a recipe calls for extra virgin olive oil for finishing, use walnut oil or a high-quality neutral oil
  • 💡When substituting in Mediterranean dishes, consider the flavor impact - you might want to add herbs or spices to compensate
  • 💡For vegan baking, coconut oil works well but may add a slight coconut flavor to the final product

Frequently Asked Questions

Summary

Find the best olive oil substitutes for cooking, baking, and dressings. Learn which oils work best for different recipes with our comprehensive guide to olive oil alternatives.