7 Simple Olive Oil Substitutes: Jazz Up Meals

Ran out of olive oil (a fruit oil from the olive tree, Olea europaea)? No sweat.

Finding a substitute can feel like a mini treasure hunt in your own pantry.

We all have that moment. The pan's on the fire, and uh-oh, the olive oil bottle's playing hide and seek.

Guess what? Other oils and stuff around can save your dish.

And maybe, just maybe, make it even better.

We've been there, rummaging through shelves. Turns out, your next best secret ingredient isn't so secret.

Save for Later!

7 Easy Substitutes for Olive Oil

When the recipe calls for it, but you don't have it, here are some quick alternatives to olive oil that you can easily find in your kitchen:

Substitute	Taste	Texture	Suitable Dishes
Avocado Oil	Mild	Smooth	Cooking, Baking, Salad Dressing
Coconut Oil	Sweet, Nutty	Smooth	Baking, Cooking
Ghee	Nutty, Rich	Creamy	Cooking, Baking
Sesame Oil	Nutty	Delicate	Asian Dishes, Sautéing
Sunflower Oil	Neutral	Light	General Cooking
Grapeseed Oil	Neutral	Light	General Cooking
Canola Oil	Neutral	Light	Cooking, Baking, Salad Dressing

1 - Avocado Oil

Avocado oil steps up big time (pressed from the fruit of Persea americana). It's got this smooth vibe that works with what you're cooking.

We throw it in when olive oil's not around. Use it just like olive oil, 1:1.

Ever tried it on high heat? It's ace for that.

Gets along great with whatever hits the pan. Our salads got a new twist with it.

Its mild taste doesn't hijack your dish's flavor.

For those deep into baking, yep, it's a win there too; see vegetable oil substitutes for moister brownies.

Avocado oil keeps things light and moist.

2 - Coconut Oil

Coconut oil steps in as a solid backup; see coconut milk alternatives for creamier curries.

This swap does wonders in dishes, adding a subtle coconut-sweet aroma.

It nails frying and sautéing jobs. Its sweet hint lifts up meals.

We've tossed it in our stir-fries and watched the magic happen.

Baking? Absolutely.

It brings a subtle sweetness that's a useful. This oil knows how to make baked goods shine.

For folks looking to try different things in their cooking, checking out more substitutions might be your next move.

3 - Ghee

Ghee steps up as a savvy swap. We use it scoop for scoop with olive oil.

This change brings a smooth finish to dishes.

It shines in medium to high heat cooking (with a smoke point around 250°C/482°F). Ghee makes flavors in food stand out.

We've tried it in our recipes, and it does not disappoint.

Baking is another place where ghee makes a difference. It makes pastries soft and rich with a subtle hint that's quite inviting.

Ghee brings a soft, rich texture to baked goods.

4 - Sesame Oil

Sesame oil jumps in as a great stand-by; see sesame seed swaps for nutty flavor.

This sub rocks in dishes.

Its nutty flavor adds a new layer to what we cook, with toasted and slightly sweet notes. Sesame oil's taste doesn't take over the meal.

We threw it in some dishes and loved the twist it added.

It's a star in stir-fries and marinades. Its distinctive flavor improves every bite.

We noticed the change and liked it.

Folks aiming to mix things up in their food-making should peep at more swaps here.

5 - Sunflower Oil

Sunflower oil comes in handy (pressed from Helianthus annuus seeds). We swap it, same amount for olive oil.

This choice keeps things running smooth. Sunflower oil feels right at home in our skillet.

It's a team player, blending with other flavors.

Once, we forgot olive oil but had sunflower oil; see sunflower seed substitutes for extra crunch.

Made everything just as yummy.

Used it in dressings too. Works like a charm. Keeps salads light and fresh.

Looking for more ways to switch up your cooking oils? Here's where you can find some tips on what to use instead of sunflower oil.

6 - Grapeseed Oil

Grapeseed oil steps in. We use it just like olive oil, spoon for spoon.

This oil mixes in well with all sorts of dishes, with a neutral, light taste that won't overpower other flavors.

It does a solid job for frying and baking. Its light taste doesn't mess with the food's own flavors.

We once had to swap it in, and the meal turned out great.

In our cooking, it's the oil we reach for. Grapeseed oil works in every recipe we've tried.

Need a hand finding a different oil? Look over here for some ideas on grapeseed oil and its uses in your next meal; see peanut oil alternatives for home cooks.

7 - Canola Oil

Canola oil makes the cut for us. Same as olive oil, we swap it measure for measure.

This pick keeps things on track. Canola oil fits in well with what we cook.

We found it a good pick for baking and frying, thanks to its moderate smoke point of about 200°C (392°F).

Its neutral flavor keeps the food's original taste intact. Once, we had to use it instead of olive oil; the dish was just as good.

For us, canola oil is the go-to. In every recipe needing oil, it does the job.

You may want to check out other options too right here.