With a wide variety of cooking oils, it could be quite confusing to know which is best for a meal. Vegetable oil and olive oil are two of the most common types of cooking oils. And they are probably what you always have on hand.
You may be wondering if you can substitute them in cases when you run out of one.
The answer is yes. You can use vegetable oil instead of olive oil in almost any recipe that requires the latter.
Now that it has been established that vegetable oil is a great substitute for oil gotten from olives, let’s take a look at common recipes this substitution works for.
If you also want to know if the substitution can work the other way around, continue reading.
What is vegetable oil?
Vegetable oil is a product of a blend of oil from the different parts of different plants.
The oil is gotten from fruits, seeds, nuts, and grains. The parts in focus are put under pressure with chemical solvents or an oil mill.
The oil then goes through a series of purifying and refining to make it edible. However, these processes chemically alter the oil and fill it with empty calories and little to no flavor.
What is olive oil?
Olive oil or juice from olives is a liquid gotten from pressing olives.
It is one of those oils with high amounts of monounsaturated fatty acids, which makes it a healthy option.
Additionally, olive oil (extra virgin olive oil) does not go through a rigorous production process which is why it still retains a lot of its nutrients, the olive fragrance, and provides a lot of health benefits.
Can you use vegetable oil instead of olive oil?
Yes, you can.
Vegetable oil is a great alternative to oil gotten from olives in almost any recipe. Although it does not have the olives’ fragrance, vegetable oil will help you achieve the similar results you desire to get.
Can you use vegetable oil instead of olive oil for pasta?
Yes, you can.
You can swap out both oils for each other when cooking pasta. However, you don’t have to add oil to plain pasta. But, if you must, you can use vegetable oil.
Can you use vegetable oil instead of olive oil for pizza dough?
Yes, you can.
If you run out of olive oil while making pizza dough, replace it with vegetable oil in equal amounts (that is, in a ratio of 1:1). The latter will also make the dough moist just as you expect with olive oil.
Moreover, you can expect a crispy crust as well. As long as you use the right amount of vegetable oil, you will not end up with an oily dough. You may not have the olive fragrance, but your dough will come out nice.
Can you use vegetable oil instead of olive oil in a cake?
Yes, you can.
If you’re ready to give up the fragrance olives give your cake, you can replace the oil will vegetable oil.
Work with a 1:1 substitution to get similar results and prevent the cake from being too oily.
Can you use vegetable oil instead of olive oil in brownies?
Yes, you can.
If you don’t want the sometimes overbearing fragrance of olives in your brownies, you can swap it out for vegetable oil. Moreover, vegetable oil has always been the oil for making brownies.
Can you use vegetable oil instead of olive oil for chicken?
Yes, you can.
Vegetable oil is a better choice for frying chicken. It has a higher smoke point and will tolerate high temperatures better, thereby preventing smoking.
In addition, since you can replace oil gotten from olives with vegetable oil for chicken, you can do the same when cooking steak. Use an equal substitution when cooking both types of meat.
Can you use vegetable oil instead of olive oil for baked potatoes?
Yes, you can.
Because of its higher smoke point, vegetable oil is preferred for brushing potatoes before baking. It uses moisture and its fat content to make the potatoes crispy on the outside and fluffy on the inside.
Can you use vegetable oil instead of olive oil for salad dressing?
Yes, you can.
Vegetable oil will give you the same moist salad dressing the oil from olives will. However, you may lose the unique smell of olives, which contributes to the flavor of the dressing.
Can you use vegetable oil instead of olive oil for marinades?
Yes, you can.
You can swap out either oil for the other when making marinades.
Oil is an essential ingredient in any marinade recipe. It helps to moisten the meat and create a smooth mixture of all ingredients in the marinade.
Can you use vegetable oil instead of olive oil in an air fryer?
If vegetable oil works well with your oven, it certainly will be the same with your air fryer. So, you can put vegetable oil in your air fryer instead of olive oil.
FAQs
Can you use olive oil instead of vegetable oil?
Yes, you can.
You can easily swap out these oils for each other in an equal ratio.
However, olive oil has a lower smoke point which means it can release harmful byproducts when you subject it to high levels of heat.
But a good variety like extra virgin olive oil produces negligible amounts of these harmful byproducts.
Is vegetable oil healthier than olive oil?
No, it is not.
Olive oil outshines most plant oils because it is the least processed. It provides more nutritional value and fewer calories when compared with vegetable oil.
Can you use butter instead of olive oil?
Yes, you can.
Butter and olive oil are interchangeable; you can easily use one in place of the other. In addition, using butter as a substitute for olive oil will add extra flavor to your dish.
However, butter has more calories but provides fewer health benefits. Therefore, you should watch how much butter you consume.
What is the healthiest oil for cooking?
Extra virgin olive oil is the healthiest oil to cook with.
It is one of the least processed oils, and it contains high amounts of antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals.
Conclusion
You don’t have to run to the store when you run out of olive oil as long as you have a bottle of vegetable oil somewhere in the house. Both plant oils are interchangeable; you can always substitute one for the other in a ratio of 1:1.
Both oils are plant-based oils with unique nutritional value. Vegetable oil has a higher smoke point, which makes it a better choice for baking. However, despite the lower smoke point of olive oil, it’ll burn under high temperatures.
Although oil from olives is healthier because it goes through minimal processing, vegetable oil isn’t that bad either. Most importantly, make sure you’re using the healthiest type of any of these oils.
Thanks for reading.
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