Can I Use Canola Oil in Place of Vegetable Oil?

Canola oil is actually a type of vegetable oil.

Many recipes call for "vegetable oil" as a generic term for any kind of oil made from a vegetable. What many people don't realize is that canola oil is actually a type of vegetable oil!

Vegetable oil

Vegetable oil comes from various fruits and vegetables, and is usually extracted from the seeds of these plants. The term "vegetable oil" is actually a generic umbrella term for many types of oils such as corn oil, peanut oil and, yes, canola oil! If you come across a product in the store labeled "vegetable oil," it is most likely a blend of several types of vegetable oils.

Canola Oil

Canola oil is a type of vegetable oil extracted from the seeds of the canola or rape plant. For this reason, canola oil is sometimes referred to as rapeseed oil. The canola plant is in the same botanical family as cauliflower and cabbage, and oil extracted from this plant is high in monounsaturated fats and rich in vitamin E.

Subsituting Canola for Vegetable

Since canola oil is in fact a type of vegetable oil, you can use canola oil in any recipe that calls for vegetable oil. Different types of vegetable oils may differ slightly in taste, but the cooking process will remain the same no matter what type of oil you use.

References

• Natural Health Information: Benefits of Vegetable Oil
• What's Cooking America: Cooking Oil Types
• CanolaInfo: What Is Canola Oil?