How Much Sesame Oil to Substitute for Vegetable Oil
Works for baking, sauteing, and grilling. Sesame Oil brings a noticeably different flavor than Vegetable Oil.
How much sesame oil equals one cup of oil, or half that in baking to avoid overpowering the flavor?
Use 1 cup sesame oil per 1 cup oil, or half that in baking to avoid overpowering the flavor.
Health notes
Compared with Vegetable Oil, Sesame Oil has: less saturated fat (14.2g vs 15.3g per 100g in Vegetable Oil).
Using sesame oil as a vegetable oil substitute in baking
Use 1/2 cup sesame oil per 1 cup oil; the toasted flavor is strong, so blend with a neutral oil for the rest.
Other cooking methods
- Sauteing
1:1 works for stir-fries; add toward the end since heat can turn it bitter if pushed too hard.
- Grilling
1:1 as a brush-on finish for vegetables or skewers, added near the end of cooking.
- Raw Cold
1:1 in dressings, marinades, or drizzled over noodles and salads for a toasty finish.
- Drinks
1:1 in small amounts for savory or Asian-inspired cocktail bases.
Methods to avoid (3)
- Frying
Not recommended: it breaks down and turns bitter before reaching frying temperatures.
- Slow Cook
Not recommended: long heat exposure turns the flavor sharp and acrid over time.
- Steaming
Not recommended: the oil won't distribute or coat food evenly in moist heat.
FAQ
- How much sesame oil equals one cup of oil, or half that in baking to avoid overpowering the flavor?
Use 1 cup sesame oil per 1 cup oil, or half that in baking to avoid overpowering the flavor.
- Can I substitute sesame oil for Vegetable Oil in baking?
Yes. Use 1/2 cup sesame oil per 1 cup oil; the toasted flavor is strong, so blend with a neutral oil for the rest. Not recommended: it breaks down and turns bitter before reaching frying temperatures.
- How much sesame oil to use as a vegetable oil substitute?
Much nuttier and stronger than oil; use less than called for and add near the end.
- How does the flavor change when substituting Sesame Oil for Vegetable Oil?
Sesame oil brings a noticeably different flavor than vegetable oil.
- How does texture change when substituting Sesame Oil for Vegetable Oil?
Sesame oil stays thin and pourable but the strong aroma will carry into every bite.
- What else should I know about substituting Sesame Oil for Vegetable Oil?
For stir-fries, dressings, and finishing drizzles. Expect a strong nutty, toasty taste that stands out much more than plain oil. Skip frying, slow cooking, and steaming since heat turns it bitter or it won't distribute. Add it near the end of cooking to protect the flavor.
- What still works when substituting Sesame Oil for Vegetable Oil?
Sesame oil still works as a fat and flavor carrier.
- How well does Sesame Oil match Vegetable Oil?
Sesame oil is okay on structure, stretch on heat, and stretch on flavor.
- How does nutrition compare per 100g when substituting Sesame Oil for Vegetable Oil?
Overall, calories, fat, sat. fat, and protein are similar.
- How do the flavor notes shift when substituting Sesame Oil for Vegetable Oil?
The flavor shifts toward more bitter, more pungent, and more umami notes.