
vegetable oil
Vegetable oil is calorie-dense at approximately 120 calories per tablespoon and contains primarily unsaturated fats, including both monounsaturated and polyunsaturated varieties, with minimal saturated fat content depending on the source oil.
About
Vegetable oil is a triglyceride derived from plant sources, most commonly extracted from seeds, nuts, and legumes through mechanical pressing or chemical solvent extraction. The term encompasses a diverse group of oils extracted from plants such as soybeans, canola (rapeseed), sunflowers, corn, peanuts, and safflower, among others. These oils are characterized by their neutral flavor, high smoke points (typically 350–450°F depending on refinement level), and liquid state at room temperature. Vegetable oils are predominantly composed of unsaturated fatty acids, with varying proportions of polyunsaturated and monounsaturated fats depending on the source plant. Commercial vegetable oil is typically refined, bleached, and deodorized to achieve a neutral taste and extended shelf life, making it a staple in modern kitchens worldwide.
Culinary Uses
Vegetable oil serves as a versatile cooking medium across virtually all culinary traditions, employed for sautéing, deep-frying, shallow-frying, and roasting due to its neutral flavor profile and high heat tolerance. It is essential in baking for cakes, muffins, and quick breads, and functions as a base for mayonnaise, vinaigrettes, and emulsified sauces. The oil's mild taste makes it suitable for both savory and sweet applications, and it is valued in commercial food production for consistency and cost-effectiveness. In home kitchens, vegetable oil is often the primary cooking fat for everyday meal preparation, offering reliable performance across a wide range of temperatures and cooking methods.
Used In
Recipes Using vegetable oil (1,016)
Whole Wheat Buttermilk Pancakes
Makes 12 x 4-inch pancakes
Whole Wheat Waffles
Breakfast Recipes | Bread
Wildly Festive Rice Salad
Makes 6 to 8 servings.
Wild Rice-Pine Nut Stuffing
Wild Rice-Pine Nut Stuffing from the Recidemia collection
Winter Warm-up Soup
Contributed by Catsrecipes Y-Group * Source: Taste of H
Witte Bonenpannetje
Baked bean pot. A lovely light dish, goes well with rice.
Yakatori
Yakatori from the Recidemia collection
Yakhnet albatata
Potato Stew

Yakisoba
Yakisoba
Yeast Bread
A River of Recipes: Native American Recipes Using Commodity Foods by the USDA Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations, public domain government resource—original source of recipe
Yemeni Whitefish with Red Pepper and Spices
Yemeni Whitefish with Red Pepper and Spices from the Recidemia collection
Zesty Orange Salad
Zesty Orange Salad from the Recidemia collection
Zucchini and Chile Corn Bake
Makes 8 servings.
Zucchini Appetizers
Zucchini Appetizers. This may be baked, frozen and reheated. May be reheated in microwave.
Zucchini bread
Zucchini bread is a sweet fluffy bread that has zucchini in it. It is delicious. There are many different ways of making it. Here is one.
Zwiebelrostbraten
Austrian Cuisine