Picking a cooking oil can depend on various reasons. Sometimes, it is quite the hectic task having so many options, and other times the one we have is just not the best fit.
Peanut oil is one of the most popular choices in any kitchen. It is most common in Asian, Caribbean, and African cuisines. It is an excellent pick for sauteing and deep frying foods. Chefs love using peanut oil in their recipes as it never overtakes the overall flavor and doesn’t consume the taste of the food all by itself.
Nevertheless, peanut oil may not always be the solution, or you may simply not have the luxury. Many of us are allergic to peanut oil, while some just woke up to realize they are fresh out one morning.
Lastly, it’s relatively expensive too. If you’re one of them, worry not because we bring you a well-curated read to demonstrate the numerous substitutes for peanut oil and their various uses and health benefits that indeed make a convincing case.But before we go into the specifics, let’s scurry up some interesting facts and health benefits of consuming peanut oil.
We get peanut oil from the peanut plant. The oil is extracted from the edible seeds derived from the plant and comes in various forms. It is mainly used for culinary uses and comes with multiple health benefits.
Peanut Oil: Facts & Health Benefits In One Go
- Peanut oil comes in various forms, including refined, cold-pressed, gourmet, and peanut oil blends.
- Refined peanut oil is usually used in restaurants and Asian cuisines, and comes deodorized, and is more neutral to the tongue.
- Cold-pressed peanut oil has a more nutty taste and a yellowy hue to it. It is made from crushed peanuts and has a sweet scent.
- Gourmet peanut oil is more intense on your palette and is generally unrefined. It is used as dressings in a salad or as a sauce drizzled over dishes as a final touch.
- Peanut oil blends are a mixture of other oils with peanut oil.
- Peanut oil is high in monounsaturated fats that are good for you.
- It is also rich in vitamin E, helps tackle cardiovascular diseases, increases resistance to insulin sensitivity, helps with weight loss, and is known to help prevent cancer.
- It may be used as a remedy for skin diseases like eczema, scalp crusting, etc.
- Peanut oil is also known to lower cholesterol and sugar levels in your blood.
However, there are negative aspects to consuming peanut oil. It is high in omega-6 content that is known to cause inflammatory issues in your body, and overconsumption can result in increasing the risk of other diseases.
Sunflower Oil
One of the healthier choices you can make is picking sunflower oil. It is obtained from pressed sunflower seeds. Like peanut oil, it is rich in vitamin E and omega-6 content. However, you may want to look away if your reason for substituting peanut oil was allergies.
Tidbits About Sunflower Oil:
- Like peanut oil, sunflower oil is rich in monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats and therefore helps control cholesterol and sugar levels in the blood.
- It is low on saturated fat.
- It also has a considerably long shelf-life like peanut oil and therefore saves money.
- Like peanut oil, this oil also has a high smoke point of 450 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Sunflower oil contains a high content of oleic acid and contains 8.9 grams of omega-6 polyunsaturated fat in each teaspoon.
- To substitute peanut oil, you have to use either the semi-refined or high-oleic version of sunflower oil.
Famous for?
Sunflower oil is efficient for deep-frying and sauteing foods, thanks to its high smoke point. It has a subtle flavor to it and can be used for baking. Use sunflower oil as a healthy substitute for butter to grease baking pans. Whether you’re looking to saute vegetables or stir-fry them, sunflower oil can do an impressive job.
Grapeseed Oil
Grapeseed oil should be on top of your list of substitutes for peanut oil for its neutral taste, high smoke point, and crisp taste. This option also comes with various health benefits and can be suitable for bringing a different twist to recipes.