Can You Use Vegetable Oil Instead of Canola Oil?

It’s often said that food is the ingredient that binds us together. And so you want to get the best from the dishes that you cook. This means that you need to ensure that the meals you prepare are delicious and healthy. 

Can you use vegetable oil instead of canola oil? Yes, you can. Both oils are healthy and are plant-based, but you can use vegetable oil and still get the best result from your food. However, canola oil is more nutritious, but you will rarely notice the difference in flavor. 

What is the Difference Between Vegetable Oil and Canola Oil?

Vegetable oil and canola oil have a lot in common. You might confuse them from the grocery store as they have the same color. However, they have some differences when it comes to fat concentration.

Also, canola oil is extracted from the canola plant seeds, while vegetable oils are extracted from a variety of plants. You might also notice that vegetable oil can have a wide range of flavors compared to canola oil.

Canola oil has lower saturated fat and rich in omega 3, while vegetable oil has more saturated fat and has no omega 3 fatty acids. However, both oils are perfect and have similar smoke points, and you can therefore stock them in your kitchen and use them for frying.

The below chart explains more about the fat concentration between the two oils.

Canola Oil

Canola oil is just one of the variety of vegetable oil. The only difference about this oil is extracted from the canola seeds, which are crossbred of the rapeseed plant. It has a mild flavor, and you can use the oil in both high and low temperatures. 

Canola oil is also healthy and has low saturated fat, which is good in lowering cholesterol levels. The contents of omega 3 and omega 6 fatty acids are also perfect in preventing the risk of heart diseases.

For stir-frying and sautéed dishes, canola oil is the best choice. If you’re deep-frying, it’s best you are quick to avoid the burning of the oil and the unpleasant smell it can cause. So, purchasing canola oil is not a bad choice for healthy cooking, especially if you are a food lover.

Vegetable Oil

Vegetable oil is common to many people, and you probably use it for most of your cooking. It’s pretty affordable and has a neutral flavor, and you may use it for your different cooking kinds. 

Vegetable oil is a mix of different kinds of oils that differ depending on what plant the oil was extracted from. The most common types of vegetable oils are soybean oil, olive oil, coconut oil, and sunflower oil. The oil is also healthy as it is a plant-based. 

Adding vegetable oil to your cooking is good for your heart and is also a source of energy. The oil has low saturated fat compared to the use of butter. You can also use vegetable oil in place of canola oil and vice versa.

How Can You Use Your Vegetable Oil?

Since vegetable oil comes in many types, you need to do a taste test to know the kind of flavor you’re dealing with. That said, you may use your vegetable oil for salad dressing, to sauté, stir-frying and deep-frying.

Vegetable oil can withstand heat for a longer period, making it a perfect choice for your cooking recipes. However, it’s good you know the kind of ingredients that your vegetable oil contains as it will affect the flavor depending on heat exposure.

For instance, soybean oil and olive oil may not be the best choice for high heat for a longer time than corn oil. You might notice an odd flavor when you use soybean and olive oil if you fry for longer.

When it comes to baking, you might give your vegetable oil a shot and substitute it with butter. It blends pretty well with baking recipes like cakes and makes them tender, moist, and delicious. So, you may use your vegetable oil to be healthy, but you may also use it for broad cooking recipes. 

Can You Mix Canola and Vegetable Oil?

Yes. It poses no harm mixing the two oils as both are from different plants. Both oils can blend pretty well, and the flavor in your dishes will still be intact. 

Besides, canola oil has omega 3 fatty acids that lack in vegetable oil, so mixing them will be good for you.

How Do You Store Your Cooking Oils?

Both vegetable and canola oil require safe storage to preserve their taste and smell. Exposing your cooking oils to oxygen can make it go rancid, which will affect your dishes and may cause discomfort with your digestive system.

You do not want to cook with oil that has already gone bad as it will spoil your food appetite and the unpleasant smells are awful. This is the reason why you need to store your cooking oil properly. And how do you do that?

• Ensure you store your cooking oil in a cool, dry place like in the pantry, away from heat and sunlight.
• Once you open your cooking oil, always ensure you seal it well after use. Leaving it open will expose it to air and contamination, which will make it go bad easily.
• Avoid storing your cooking oil in the refrigerator. Most oils are fine at room temperature unless your kitchen is warm and have cooking oil in large quantities.

Final Thoughts

• You can use vegetable oils in place of canola oil. It’s healthy and has a good flavor.
• Canola and vegetable oil are common but have different fat contents and are extracted from various plants.
• You can use vegetable oil in baking recipes, sautéing, stir-frying and deep-frying. It’s not harmful to mix the two oils.
• Ensure you store your cooking oils in a cool, dry place and keep them sealed after use.
• Canola oil and vegetable oils are a healthy choice in your cooking and contain few saturated fats that are good for you.