How Much Vegetable Oil to Substitute for Sesame Oil
Works for baking, sauteing, and frying. Vegetable Oil comes across milder than Sesame Oil.
How much vegetable oil equals one cup of sesame oil?
Use 1 cup vegetable oil per 1 cup sesame oil.
Health notes
Compared with Sesame Oil, Vegetable Oil has: more saturated fat (15.3g vs 14.2g per 100g in Sesame Oil).
Using vegetable oil as a sesame oil substitute in baking
Use 1:1; batters bake up the same but lose the toasty aroma sesame oil adds.
Other cooking methods
- Sauteing
Use 1:1; higher smoke point means it can handle more heat than sesame oil, with no nutty finish.
- Frying
Use 1:1; works where sesame oil fails, holding up well at fry temperatures with a clean, neutral taste.
- Slow Cook
Use 1:1; stays stable over hours of moist heat where sesame oil would break down.
- Grilling
Use 1:1 as a brushing oil, though you'll lose the toasted sesame character.
- Raw Cold
Use 1:1 in dressings, but stir in toasted sesame seeds for the missing nutty note.
Methods to avoid (2)
- Steaming
Not recommended: oil doesn't mix into steaming liquid and adds nothing here.
- Drinks
Not recommended: oil doesn't belong in drinks.
FAQ
- How much vegetable oil equals one cup of sesame oil?
Use 1 cup vegetable oil per 1 cup sesame oil.
- Can I substitute vegetable oil for Sesame Oil in baking?
Yes. Use 1:1; batters bake up the same but lose the toasty aroma sesame oil adds. Not recommended: oil doesn't mix into steaming liquid and adds nothing here.
- How much vegetable oil to use as a sesame oil substitute?
Neutral and flat compared to sesame oil's nutty toastiness, so add toasted sesame seeds to compensate.
- How does the flavor change when substituting Vegetable Oil for Sesame Oil?
Vegetable oil comes across milder than sesame oil.
- How does texture change when substituting Vegetable Oil for Sesame Oil?
Vegetable oil just as thin and pourable, coats food the same way, but stays clear instead of golden amber.
- What else should I know about substituting Vegetable Oil for Sesame Oil?
For stir-fries, frying, and slow cooking. Expect a cleaner, neutral taste and better heat tolerance, with none of the toasted nutty smell. Skip steaming and drinks, where oil doesn't work either way. Stir in toasted sesame seeds or a splash of soy sauce to bring back some of that missing depth.
- What still works when substituting Vegetable Oil for Sesame Oil?
Vegetable oil still works as a fat and flavor carrier.
- How well does Vegetable Oil match Sesame Oil?
Vegetable oil is good on structure, strong on heat, and stretch on flavor.
- How does nutrition compare per 100g when substituting Vegetable Oil for Sesame Oil?
Overall, calories, fat, sat. fat, and protein are similar.
- How do the flavor notes shift when substituting Vegetable Oil for Sesame Oil?
The flavor shifts toward less bitter, less pungent, and less umami notes.