Is Vegetable Oil the Same as Salad Oil?
Vegetable oil, often referred to as ‘cooking oil’ or ‘salad oil’, is a type of oil used in cooking and also for salads. But are vegetable oil and salad oil the same thing?
What Is Vegetable Oil?
Vegetable oil is a generic term for any oil derived from plant seeds. It is made up of unsaturated fats and is usually colorless and odorless, with a generally mild flavor.
Most vegetable oils are sourced from seed crops that are high in monounsaturated, polyunsaturated, or trans fats. Some of the most common types include:
- Soybean Oil – This oil is rich in Omega-3 fatty acids, and is often used in baking, deep-frying, and in salad dressings.
- Canola Oil – This oil is very low in saturated fat and is generally an excellent choice for baking, sautéing and in salad dressings.
- Corn Oil – This oil is high in monounsaturated fats, and is often used for deep-frying and in salad dressings.
- Olive Oil – This oil is high in monounsaturated fat, low in saturated fat, and is great for sautéing, baking and in salads.
What Is Salad Oil?
Salad oil is a term used to describe vegetable oils that are blended with other ingredients, such as spices and herbs, to create a flavorful oil blend. These oils are often used in salad dressings and may include olive oil, canola oil, flax seed oil, walnut oil, sunflower oil, and other combinations.
Although the term ‘salad oil’ generally refers to a vegetable oil blend, it can also refer to vegetable oils that have not been blended with other ingredients.
So, Are Vegetable Oil and Salad Oil the Same?
The answer is no – although both terms refer to vegetable oils, ‘vegetable oil’ is a generic term for any oil derived from plant seeds, whereas ‘salad oil’ refers specifically to a vegetable oil blend or to vegetable oils that have not been blended with other ingredients.
