Knowing what cooking oils to have in your kitchen to use for cooking can be a little tough, and the variety of options out there don’t help with that toughness in the slightest. Each oil has different benefits with different ways that they should be used, but hopefully, by the end of this there will be a little confusion and a lot of knowledge on the subject. What are the cooking oils you should have in your kitchen?
Olive Oil
A healthy and popular cooking oil option out there is olive oil, which is full of predominately heart-friendly monounsaturated fat. It has been shown to reduce the risk of multiple diseases and health concerns, including cancer, strokes, and even depression. Olive oil has a bold and tasty flavor, as well as a low burning point. However, the taste is said to be widely different if you are comparing a better olive oil to a less quality one. The better oil will have more flavor and would be a better option for a vinaigrette, while if you are using it for cooking the quality doesn’t matter as much. Many recommend using olive oil for frying, but it is also good to use in vinaigrettes and for marinating. It can also be used as a hair conditioner, an acne eraser, and as a substitute for shaving cream.
Peanut Oil
Straight from peanuts, peanut oil is an oil with relatively high monounsaturated fats that make it a heart healthy option. It is pale in color yet has a powerful nutty flavor, and is popularly used in Asian cuisine. It is great for frying, light sautéing, and using in stir-fry dishes.
Coconut Oil
When it comes to high heat cooking, coconut oil is a great option. Coconut oil is from the fruit of the coconut palm tree and gives off a tropical scent when it is heated. When it is left at room temperature the oil becomes a solid, and because of this it is not ideal for using in things such as vinaigrettes. Coconut oil is great for roasting, popping popcorn, sautéing, and baking for non-dairy products. It is also a healthier option compared to other oils out there because of its richness in Lauric Acid, which can improve cholesterol and help kill bacteria and other pathogens. Coconut oil is popularly used on both skin and hair, and has countless other beauty uses.
Canola Oil or Vegetable Oil
Canola oil and vegetable oil are incredibly similar oils, with flavor, color, and usage all very alike. Canola oil is beneficial for heart health due to its fatty acid profile, omega-3, and low saturated fat contents. However, both canola and vegetable oils have a very high GMO presence that make them a less healthy option compared to the more natural oils. Either product would be great options for vinaigrettes, sautéing, frying, roasting, marinating, and searing.
These are the staples of any ready to cook kitchen, and will provide great cooking options at the tip of your fingertips. There are of course other cooking oil options out there, and if you have a preference other than the four listed above then you should absolutely keep up with it. However, if you have ever found yourself struggling to choose between the huge variety of cooking oils there is, just reference this article and hopefully the choice will be made easier for you.
