There are many cooking oils on the market that you can currently buy. There are common cooking oils, such as vegetable, sunflower, olive and rapeseed, but then there are some that aren’t so typical in supermarkets. The less common cooking oils, that are still worth cooking with, include walnut, flaxseed, rice bran, hazelnut and more.
But with so many cooking oils to choose from, how can you tell which one you should be using for your cooking, baking, roasting or frying? In this article, we’ll be giving you some tips, alongside a list of seven of the best cooking oils for cold-weather dishes – perfect for when the weather turns cold. We’ll also be giving you a list of dishes you can try to warm you through this winter. So, let’s get into it.
7 of the best cooking oils for cold-weather dishes
When the temperatures drop and comfort food takes centre stage, the right cooking oil can make all the difference. Cold-weather recipes need oils that stand up to heat, bring depth of flavour and enhance the natural richness of winter ingredients. From sunflower to peanut oil, it can be tough to choose one that works for you and your cooking method. But which cooking oils should you be choosing for cooking up the ultimate winter comfort foods? Let’s take a closer look:
1. Extra virgin olive oil (EVOO)
The smoke point for extra virgin olive oil isn’t as high when compared to other cooking oils on the market, but it can still be used for gentle roasting, sauteing or for finishing dishes off to a professional standard. Extra virgin olive oil has a smoke point of around 190 degrees Celsius, but don’t underestimate it. It can still be used for light roasting, salad dressing or for use in stews and soups. It’s a versatile, healthy cooking oil that offers a peppery flavour and contains antioxidants and monounsaturated fats to make it both nourishing and delicious.
2. Sunflower oil
Sunflower oil has a smoke point of 225 degrees Celsius. It’s perfect for both roasting and baking and doesn’t interfere with other flavours. It also has a light texture that works well in hearty dishes or desserts. You can use sunflower oil, which is incredibly versatile, to roast vegetables, bake your favourite products, or for shallow frying. It’s so versatile that it often rivals simple vegetable oil.
3. Rapeseed oil
Rapeseed oil has a typical smoke point of around 220 degrees Celsius. While its flavour is, usually, neutral, it can provide a nutty aroma that’s unrivalled by vegetable oil. It has a balanced fat profile and a neutral taste, therefore making it excellent for everyday winter cooking. It’s especially popular in the UK for roasting and frying, as already suggested. This is because rapeseed oil has ideal heat stability and affordability.
4. Vegetable oil
With a smoke point of 220 degrees Celsius, vegetable oil has a neutral flavour, making it one of the most versatile kitchen staples when compared to other cooking oils on the market. It has a high smoke point, making it ideal for a variety of cooking methods, including frying, baking, roasting and even baking, among other cooking methods. Essentially, it’s every avid chef’s best friend when it comes to general-purpose cooking.
5. Peanut oil
Peanut oil has a smoke point of around 230 degrees Celsius. As the name would suggest, it provides a mild nutty flavour that is perfect for deep frying and stir-frying. This is because of its stability at high temperatures. It adds a light and nutty undertone to dishes without overpowering them. Use peanut oil to fry chicken, stir-fry vegetables and crisp up roast potatoes.
6. Avocado oil
Offering a mild and buttery flavour, avocado oil has a smoke point of around 250 degrees Celsius, making it perfect for a wide range of different cooking methods, enabling you to whip up your cold-weather dishes when the temperature drops. Having one of the highest smoke points when compared to other cooking oils, avocado oil is ideal for roasting and pan-frying. It makes for beautifully hearty winter food that will add shine and depth to your dishes that no other cooking oil offers.
7. Coconut oil
Coconut has a smoke point of between 175-200 degrees Celsius. With a sweet, nutty and aromatic flavour, coconut oil adds comfort and creaminess to any cold-weather dish that you might have on your to-cook list this winter. Something you should be aware of, however, is that, unlike conventional cooking oils, coconut oil will solidify in colder temperatures. Despite that, it’s a common ingredient when baking, roasting and general cooking methods. Coconut oil is ideal for adding body and flavour to curries and stews – perfect comfort food for this time of year.
Tips for choosing the right cooking oil
As we’ve already touched upon, there are many cooking oils on the market, with each one bringing something different to the culinary table. But the sheer number of cooking oils to choose from can make it difficult to know which one you should be using. So how can you pick the one that works for you and your cooking method for whipping up your favourite cold-weather dishes? Here are some tips to get you started:
- Match the oil to your cooking method – for frying, roasting or sauteing, you need a cooking oil with a high smoke point, like rapeseed, vegetable ot sunflower. For baking, use olive, coconut or rice bran oil. Finally, for low-heat cooking, choose walnut, EVOO, sesame oil or even pumpkin oil
- Consider the smoke point – the smoke point of a cooking oil is when the oil will start to break down and smoke. Don’t let your cooking oil get to this point. If you’re one to leave the oil cooking for a while, then choose a high-heat cooking oil, like sunflower, vegetable and rapeseed
- Think about the flavour – different oils will bring something different to the palette. Some are neutral, like vegetable, sunflower and rapeseed. Others are nutty and rich, such as walnut, hazelnut, sesame and peanut. But some are fruity, like EVOO and avocado
- Check the nutritional profile – the balance of fats matters in terms of health. Olive, avocado and rapeseed oil contain monounsaturated fats. Sunflower and walnut oil contain polyunsaturated fats, and coconut and ghee contain saturated fats
- Buy small, store smart – oils can go rancid if exposed to sunlight, heat or air. Buy small bottles of delicate cooking oils and store them in cool, dark cupboards. Also, keep the lids closed to prevent oxidation
Some cold-weather dishes you can try
There are loads of cold-weather dishes you can try using different cooking oils. Some of the recipes we recommend are as follows:
- Roasted root vegetable medley – using seasonal root vegetables, roast them up to the point where they caramalise, add rosemary and garlic and serve up as a side dish or blend into a soup
- Hearty beef stew – slow cook your beef joint and use either olive or vegetable oil to brown the ingredients before simmering and slow cooking in stock and/or red wine. You can add a spoonful of ghee for good measure
- Creamy mushroom pasta – cook up some mushrooms in olive or sunflower oil for a deep and comforting flavour. Add cream, garlic and thyme for the ultimate winter twist
- Sweet potato and chickpea curry – a plant-based option that’s perfect for the whole family, it’s hearty, spiced and satisfying. Use coconut oil to bring out the warmth, and then garnish with coriander and lime
- Winter vegetable stir-fry – quick, colourful and full of crunch, this dish uses seasonal vegetables that should be tossed in peanut or sesame oil. Finish with a splash of soy sauce and toasted sesame seeds for added texture and depth
At Cater Oils, we’re proud to supply a wide selection of premium fresh cooking oils – including olive, vegetable, sunflower, rapeseed and more. To support your kitchen’s sustainability, we also offer a free waste cooking oil collection service, giving you the option to receive either a credit toward your next fresh oil order or cash in return. For more details about our products or our convenient collection service, get in touch with our friendly, professional team today – we’re always happy to help.
