Butter and oils
Substitutes for vegetable oil
Vegetable oil is a neutral fat: it makes cakes moist and handles high heat. Any other neutral oil swaps in directly.
-
Another neutral oil
- How much
- The same amount
- What changes
- No difference. Canola, sunflower, grapeseed, avocado and peanut oil all work (peanut oil is a peanut allergen).
- Best in
- Everything, including frying.
-
Melted butter
- How much
- The same amount
- What changes
- Richer, buttery flavor; cakes are a little less moist and firmer once cool.
- Best in
- Muffins, quick breads, brownies.
-
Light olive oil
- How much
- The same amount
- What changes
- "Light" olive oil tastes mild. Extra-virgin is peppery: great in savory cooking and some cakes, odd in delicate ones.
- Best in
- Sautéing, roasting, olive oil cakes.
-
Unsweetened applesauce
- How much
- Up to half of the oil, the same amount
- What changes
- Lower in fat but denser and a little gummy, and it browns faster.
- Best in
- Muffins, quick breads, spice cakes.
- Skip it for
- Frying and cookies.
Good to know
- For deep frying, stick to oils that handle high heat (peanut, canola, sunflower, rice bran); not butter or extra-virgin olive oil.
Simmerbee recipes with vegetable oil (71)
- Air-Fryer Chicken Katsu
- Blackened Fish Tacos with Lime Slaw
- Broiled Street-Style Corn with Cotija and Lime
- Cajun-Style Chicken and Sausage Jambalaya
- Cheddar-Topped Beef Cottage Pie
- Chicken Enchiladas with Red Chile Sauce
- Chicken and Broccoli Stir-Fry
- Chocolate Cupcakes with Fudge Frosting
- Classic Beef and Bean Chili
- Classic Crispy Potato Latkes
- Classic Grilled Hamburgers
- Classic Oven-Braised Beef Stew
- Creole-Style Shrimp and Sausage Jambalaya
- Crisp Classic Waffles
- Crispy Chicken Parmesan
- Crispy Oven-Baked Fish Tacos
- Crispy Oven-Baked French Fries
- Crispy Pan-Fried Falafel with Tahini Sauce
- Crispy Sweet Potato Oven Fries
- Crispy Tofu and Vegetable Stir-Fry
- Fluffy Cilantro Lime Rice
- Fudgy One-Bowl Cocoa Brownies
- Garlic Sesame Roasted Broccoli
- Garlicky Ground Pork and Green Bean Stir-Fry
- Googly-Eyed Monster Crispy Rice Treats
- Grilled Barbecue Chicken Thighs and Drumsticks
- Grilled Flank Steak with Chimichurri
- Ground Beef Tacos with Homemade Seasoning
- Herb-Crusted Roasted Pork Tenderloin
- Honey Garlic Glazed Pork Tenderloin
On those recipes, tap Swaps next to the ingredient for the short version.
More butter and oils swaps
Ingredient guide: Vegetable oil: pick, store and measure