Can You Mix Vegetable Oil and Peanut Oil?
Cooking oil has a lot of uses in the kitchen, and many of us keep a variety of types of oil in our pantries. Is it safe to mix different types of oil? Specifically, can you mix vegetable oil with peanut oil?
What are the Differences Between Vegetable Oils and Peanut Oil?
Vegetable oils are typically made from seeds, while peanut oil is made from just one type of seed—namely, peanuts. Therefore, peanut oil is more strongly flavored than vegetable oil, which usually only has a mild flavor.
Vegetable oils can also be engineered to be healthier than peanut oil. For example, vegetable oils are often specially processed to have little or no trans fat. On the other hand, peanut oil is usually hydrogenated, meaning it contains trans fat. In addition, peanut oil has a higher smoke point than many vegetable oils (450 degrees Fahrenheit), so it can stand up to higher heat when cooking.
Do You Need to Mix Vegetable Oil and Peanut Oil?
The answer is that it’s usually not necessary to mix vegetable oil and peanut oil. Unless a recipe specifically calls for a mixture of oils, you can usually just use one type or the other.
Benefits of Mixing Vegetable Oil and Peanut Oil
That said, there are some benefits to mixing vegetable oil and peanut oil. Doing so can give you the best of both worlds. For instance, you can get the flavors of peanut oil with the healthy benefits of vegetable oil, or take advantage of peanut oil’s higher smoke point while still enjoying the mild flavor of vegetable oil.
Tips for Mixing Vegetable Oil and Peanut Oil
If you decide to mix vegetable oil and peanut oil, here are some tips to keep in mind:
- Use equal proportions. For best results, use an equal ratio of vegetable oil and peanut oil, such as one cup of each.
- Choose your oils wisely. If you’re using vegetable oil for its health benefits, try to find an oil with little or no trans fat.
- Don’t overheat the oil. Since peanut oil has a higher smoke point than many vegetable oils, use a lower heat when cooking with the mixture.
Overall, there are benefits to mixing vegetable oil and peanut oil. However, it’s not necessary to mix them unless a recipe calls for it. If you do decide to mix the two types of oils, just be sure to follow the tips above for best results.
