Skip to content

oil

Oils & FatsYear-round; most culinary oils are refined and stored products with extended shelf lives, though harvest seasons for source plants (olives, rapeseed, sunflower) occur seasonally and affect availability of fresh-pressed and early-harvest oils.

Oils are calorie-dense sources of fat, providing 120 calories per tablespoon; composition varies by type, with olive oil and avocado oil rich in monounsaturated fats, while coconut oil contains primarily saturated fats, and oils from seeds typically contain polyunsaturated fats including omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids.

About

Oil is a lipid substance that is liquid at room temperature, derived from plant seeds, nuts, fruits, or animal sources. Oils are composed primarily of triglycerides—fatty acids bound to glycerol—and vary widely in their fatty acid composition, which determines their flavor, smoke point, and culinary applications. Plant-based oils are extracted through pressing, crushing, or solvent extraction from sources such as olives, rapeseed (canola), sunflower seeds, sesame seeds, coconut, and peanuts, while animal-derived oils include fish oil and rendered fats from meat. The color, flavor intensity, and nutritional profile vary significantly by source and extraction method; cold-pressed or extra virgin oils retain more flavor and nutrients, while refined oils undergo processing to remove impurities and increase smoke points.

Culinary Uses

Oils serve multiple functions in cooking: as cooking mediums for sautéing, frying, and roasting at temperatures suited to their smoke points; as finishing drizzles to add flavor and richness to completed dishes; as emulsifying agents in vinaigrettes and sauces; and as a primary ingredient in marinades and dressings. Different oils are matched to specific applications based on their heat stability and flavor profiles—neutral oils like canola and sunflower are used for high-heat cooking, while robust oils like extra virgin olive oil and sesame oil are typically used unheated or at low temperatures to preserve their distinctive flavors. Oils also feature prominently in baking and pastry-making, where they contribute to texture and moisture in cakes, cookies, and breads.

Used In

Recipes Using oil (832)

RCI-VG.004.0313.001

Chunky Vegetable Stew with Chickpeas

Serves 6

RCI-VG.004.0316.001

Ciceri e Tria

Ciceri e Tria is the most beloved dish of Salento, Italy. It's a brothy pasta dish, with the addition of chickpeas. A third of the pasta is fried, the rest boiled directly into the broth.

RCI-SN.002.0096.001

Coconut Beer Batter SPAM with Raspberry Horseradish Sauce

Coconut Beer Batter SPAM with Raspberry Horseradish Sauce from the Recidemia collection

RCI-SN.002.0097.001

Coconut Bondas

Coconut Bondas

RCI-SN.004.0043.001

Coconut Cream Soup

Coconut Cream Soup from the Recidemia collection

RCI-SF.001.0094.001

Coconut Curried Tilapia

Coconut Curried Tilapia from the Recidemia collection

RCI-BR.003.0143.001

Coconut Gulgula

Coconut Gulgula from the Recidemia collection

RCI-RC.004.0086.001

Coconut Rice with Beans

Coconut Rice with Beans from the Recidemia collection

RCI-VG.004.0321.001

Coconut with Mixed Vegetables

Coconut with Mixed Vegetables from the Recidemia collection

RCI-DS.001.0166.001

Coffee Jello Pudding

In Romanian: Jeleu de cafea

RCI-SN.003.0100.001

Colacasia Leaf Rolls

right|Name of the Recipe

Com chien
RCI-RC.004.0088.001

Com chien

Com chien from the Recidemia collection

RCI-BR.004.0186.001

Comfort Cake

Contributed by World Recipes Y-Group

RCI-BR.005.0215.001

Cookies II

In Romanian: Pricomigdale II

RCI-RC.006.0043.001

Corn and Barley Salad

Corn and Barley Salad from the Recidemia collection

RCI-BR.003.0150.001

Corn Bread

Corn Bread from the Recidemia collection

RCI-MT.005.0060.001

Corned beef patties

Corned beef patties from the Recidemia collection

RCI-VG.004.0343.001

Couscous with Lentils

Couscous with Lentils from the Recidemia collection

RCI-SP.003.0214.001

Crab Combination Soup

It can be prepared in 30 minutes and serves 4-6 people.

RCI-BR.005.0220.001

Cranberry Granola Bars

Cranberry Granola Bars from the Recidemia collection

RCI-BR.006.0092.001

Cream Cheese Brownie Pie

Dessert Recipes by South Carolina Department of Agriculture, public domain government resource—original source of recipe

RCI-ND.007.0023.002

Cream Cheese Wontons

Makes 16 wontons or 24 small wontons

RCI-ND.007.0023.001

Cream Cheese Wontons

Makes 16 wontons or 24 small wontons

RCI-SF.001.0105.001

Creole "Court-Bouillon"

Creole "Court-Bouillon" from the Recidemia collection

RCI-VG.001.0176.001

Crimson Slaw

Crimson Slaw from the Recidemia collection

RCI-ND.006.0026.001

Crock Pot Beef and Macaroni Casserole

Contributed by Catsrecipes Y-Group * From Rival Crock-P

RCI-BR.008.0059.001

Crumpets

Crumpets from the Recidemia collection

RCI-SN.004.0051.001

Crunchy Granola I

This is very good with milk for breakfast.

RCI-VG.001.0180.001

Cucumber and Olive Salad

right|545.jpg

RCI-RC.004.0102.001

Curry Rice Salad

Curry Rice Salad from the Recidemia collection

RCI-VG.004.0390.001

Cuscus bil-Ghiddeed

Cuscus bil-Ghiddeed from the Recidemia collection

RCI-RC.006.0054.001

Cuscus bil-Hoot

Cuscus bil-Hoot from the Recidemia collection

RCI-VG.004.0391.001

Cuscus bil-Khodra

Cuscus bil-Khodra from the Recidemia collection

RCI-SP.003.0227.001

Czech Goulash (the Real Thing)

This came from my Grandmother who received it from her mother who moved here from Czechoslovokia.

RCI-VG.004.0393.001

Daal Kachori

Ethnicity - Awadhi, North Indian Type of meal - Party, Lunch, Dinner

RCI-SW.002.0036.001

Dabeli

Dabeli is originally a Kutchi / Gujarati dish. Dabeli is now a common snack sold on Mumbai's roads. It is also called Double Roti or Kutchi Dabeli. Recipe for Dabeli, adapted from a recipe by Tarla Dalal, serves 2-3.

RCI-SP.005.0076.001

Dahi Baingana

Dahi Baingana from the Recidemia collection

RCI-VG.004.0395.001

Dahi Bhalla

Dahi Bhalla from the Recidemia collection

RCI-SP.003.0229.001

Dahi Shorba

right|Name of the Recipe

RCI-BR.002.0030.001

Dahl Puri

Dahl Puri from the Recidemia collection

RCI-BR.006.0100.001

Dakota Buffalo and Beer Pie

Dakota Buffalo and Beer Pie from the Recidemia collection

RCI-SP.004.0124.001

Dama be Potaatas

A vegetarian dish made with potaatas and onions.

RCI-BR.003.0169.001

Date Rolls

Date Rolls from the Recidemia collection

RCI-VG.004.0408.001

Delicious Hash Browns from Sauerkraut

For 2 persons

RCI-SF.002.0105.001

Delicious Marinated Shrimp

Contributed by World Recipes Y-Group This Y-group is

RCI-BR.005.0245.001

Dessert with Everything

In Romanian: Bacanie

RCI-SP.005.0078.001

Devil Curry

Devil Curry from the Recidemia collection

RCI-SN.003.0107.001

Dhokla

Dhokla is a Gujarati snack that is made with black gram. It is not to be confused with Khaman, a variant made from Besan (Chickpea flour). It is eaten as a side dish with the main meal and is usually tangy and slightly sweet in taste.

RCI-BR.004.0200.001

Diabetic-friendly Cake

Diabetic-friendly Cake from the Recidemia collection

RCI-MT.001.0097.001

Dibulbul Tips

comfort food at its best.