Corn oil is a fantastic ingredient that is used in so many different recipes. It’s pretty much an essential ingredient to keep in your kitchen, so when you run out of it, it can be quite stressful.
Because corn oil is used for so many different things, not having some on hand can really complicate things when you have planned a meal out, but did you know that there are a few other ingredients that you can use as a substitute?
If you have run out of corn oil and you desperately need to use something else in its place, then read on to find out about 6 of the best substitutes for corn oil that you most likely have in your kitchen!
What Is Corn Oil?
In short, corn oil is a type of vegetable oil that has been extracted from the kernels of corn. It is one of the most popular cooking oils in the world and is used in many different recipes.
It is typically used for frying things like chicken or fish, and it is also commonly used in the place of butter too. There are many different uses for corn oil and it is really an essential cooking ingredient you should have in your kitchen.
Along with frying chicken and fish, coil oil is also used in salad dressings and it is very commonly used in baking too. Corn oil can be described as having a mild, neutral flavor.
Having corn oil in your kitchen is always a good idea and it will save you a lot of time and effort, but if you don’t have any corn oil on hand, then there are plenty of other things you can use instead, so let’s take a look at some of the best substitutes now!
6 Of The Best Substitutes For Corn Oil
Luckily, there are plenty of things you can substitute for corn oil, so if you don’t have any available, don’t panic! Below, you will find 6 of the best substitutes for corn oil, and you will be happy to know that you likely have these ingredients in your kitchen already.
The best substitutes for corn oil include sunflower oil, canola oil, coconut oil, avocado oil, olive oil, and butter. So let’s take a look at each of these substitutes in more detail now.
1. Sunflower Oil
The first substitute on this list comes in the form of sunflower oil. Sunflower oil is similar to olive oil and it is quite light in taste, and it is another common cooking ingredient that can be found in your kitchen.
Because sunflower oil is similar to olive oil, this means that it is great for things like dipping bread and salad dressings. It may be similar to olive oil, but there are some differences that you should be aware of.
Sunflower is high in polyunsaturated fats, which makes it incredibly beneficial to your health because these polyunsaturated fats reduce the risk of heart disease and help to lower cholesterol levels.
Sunflower oil is also a great source of Vitamin E and it works really well as an antioxidant.
In lots of situations, people actually prefer to use sunflower oil over corn oil because it is much healthier and when it is heated, it doesn’t have as many harmful chemicals as corn oil.
This is why it’s one of the best substitutes for corn oil and if you have some in your kitchen, you should definitely use it!
2. Canola Oil
Canola oil is another great substitute for corn oil. It is a type of vegetable oil that comes from the seeds of the canola plant. It has a mild flavor, which differs from other vegetable oils and it is low in saturated fats.
Canola oil is often used when cooking foods that are high in fats and any processed foods because it makes the overall dish a bit healthier.
One thing that should be taken into consideration when using canola oil is that it has a lower smoke point than corn oil, so it is advised that you don’t use it for high-heat cooking methods.
It also has lots of health benefits which is why lots of people love to use it. It is full of antioxidants and it is a fantastic source of omega-3 fatty acids.
3. Coconut Oil
Coconut oil is another great substitute for corn oil. It has much less saturated fats than corn oil and the fats that can be found in it are considered to be “good” fats.
It should be noted that coconut oil has a higher smoke point than corn oil, so it is much better for cooking foods at high temperatures.
If you are using coconut oil in the place of corn oil, it is important to know that it solidifies at cooler temperatures, so you need to make sure that you keep it at a warm temperature when using it in cooking.
It may not be suitable for all recipes that call for corn oil, but it does work for quite a few of them. It is, however, a much healthier alternative to corn oil, and great if you are trying to watch your diet.
Some of the health benefits of coconut oil include improving skin and hair health, strengthening the immune system, and boosting cholesterol levels.
4. Avocado Oil
Avocados can be used in so many different ways, and avocado oil is one of the lesser-known ways in which you can use it! This oil has a light taste with a bit of a nutty undertone and it is especially great for marinades and salad dressings.
Avocado oil has a high smoking point, a bit higher than corn oil, so it is perfect for cooking foods at higher temperatures. It is important that you keep this in mind when you choose to use it as a substitute oil for cooking.
It is also full of health benefits that make it a very sought-after oil to use. It’s not processed and it is absolutely full of healthy fats and vitamins, which makes it perfect for anyone who wants to improve their diet.
5. Olive Oil
Olive oil is another one of those oils that you will find in most people’s kitchens, and like the other options on this list, it is a great substitute for corn oil. Olive oil is much healthier than corn oil, so it’s great to use if you are looking to improve your diet.
Olive oil is known for its distinctive flavor, and it is known for enhancing many dishes, so if you really want your food to have some extra flavor, this is a great oil to use.
It is also full of healthy fatty acids, which is one of many reasons why it’s a much healthier alternative to corn oil. Some of the health benefits of olive oil include antioxidants that can help against heart disease and it is known for improving cholesterol levels too.
One thing to keep in mind when using olive oil is that it has a lower smoke point than corn oil, so just be aware of this when you are using it in its place.
6. Butter
The final substitute we are going to mention here isn’t an oil at all, but rather, it is just good old butter! Lots of people use different kinds of oil in the place of butter, corn oil included, so it only makes sense to use butter when you don’t have any oil on hand.
It’s definitely not one of the healthiest options on this list, but it’s extremely convenient to use if you have none of the other oils available.
Butter also adds a whole lot of flavor to any dish that it is included in, so you can be sure that any dish you use it in is going to be jam-packed full of flavor!
Butter is especially good when you are making baked goods, so it’s fantastic for anything like cookies, brownies, cakes, and more.
You’re more likely to have butter in your kitchen than any of the other options on this list too, so if you can’t find any of the other substitutes, this is a great choice for you to use.
If you do choose to use butter as your substitute, then you can use the same amount of butter as you would oil.
Conclusion
It’s always a pain when you run out of a vital cooking ingredient, but that doesn’t mean that you can’t use a substitute instead! Each of the ingredients on this list is perfect for using in the place of corn oil.
They will alter the dish a little bit in terms of texture and flavor, but these are the closest substitutes to the real thing.
Next time you need to use corn oil but you find that you have run out, give one of these substitutes a try. You likely already have them in your kitchen, so you won’t have to go out and buy them!
Hi, I’m Aubrey, and I have been a chef for close to 8 years. Cooking has always been a passion of mine, as long as I can remember. I loved my play kitchen when I was a kid, and would offer my parents my own (albeit gross) cookie recipes to taste!
Here at ButterandSaltGatherings, I want to offer a wide range of ingredients, flavors, meals and recipes so that you can start living each day to the fullest, and enjoy only the best food.
