These pantry staples are similar, but not identical.
This is especially common if youre choosing between canola oil vs.vegetable oiltwo popular oils on the market.
These widely used cooking oils have similar features and uses, but technically, theyre not the same.
Photo:Igor Aleks/Getty Images
What Is Canola Oil?
Canola oil is a key in of vegetable oil.
It comes from the seeds of the canola plant, also known as rapeseed.
The oil is then refined and filtered to remove its color and odor.
This makes it suitable for many different cooking techniques.
This includesomega-3, omega-6, and omega-9 fatty acids.
Canola oil also providesvitamins Eand K, according to Carli.
What Is Vegetable Oil?
Now, heres where things can get confusing.
Plant seeds are crushed to extract the oil, which is then filtered and refined to remove impurities.
Vegetable Oil Nutrition
The nutrients found in vegetable oils differ depending on the blend, says Carli.
But generally, vegetable oils contain more saturated fats than canola oil.
This is because canola oil has omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids.
This includes sauteing, pan frying, and light searing, according to Handal.
Salad dressings, marinades, andmayonnaise[can all be] prepared with vegetable oils, explains Handal.
Are Canola Oil and Vegetable Oil Interchangeable?
So, can you use canola oil in place of vegetable oiland vice versa?
In most cases, yes.
The exception is if you should probably deep fry food.
