How much butter is 1/2 cup of vegetable oil?
When you’re baking or cooking, knowing the conversions between different ingredients can be important to ensure your dish turns out as intended. If a recipe calls for 1/2 cup of butter but you’re out, you might be wondering how much vegetable oil should be substituted to make the same quantity.
Understanding the Conversion
According to the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), 1/2 cup of butter is equivalent to:
- 6 tablespoons of vegetable oil
- 3 ounces of vegetable oil
- 84 grams of vegetable oil
When substituting vegetable oil for butter, the type of oil you choose is important. For baking, some popular vegetable oil options are canola oil, safflower oil, sunflower oil, or vegetable oil. Depending upon the desired outcome, you may also consider trying avocado oil or coconut oil.
Tips for Increasing Flavor
Vegetable oil does not offer the same amount of flavor as butter because it lacks the dairy component. To combat this, you could try adding a teaspoon of butter extract or melted butter, or sprinkle a pinch of salt into the recipe. Taste testers can then judge the flavor and add additional seasonings to the dish, if desired.
Conclusion
Using vegetable oil in a recipe instead of butter can be a quick and effective substitution. Make sure to include 1/2 cup of your chosen oil, or its equivalent as listed above, so your dish comes out as planned. Don’t forget to add a few drops of flavoring to bring the buttery taste back into the recipe!
