Sesame oil is made from sesame seeds and is often used in Asian cuisine. Sesame seed oil has a strong and unique nutty scent while cooking, which correlates to how it tastes. This oil is widely appreciated by health-conscious consumers and nutritionists alike for its heart-healthy properties.

Sesame oil is popular because it is low in saturated fats while being rich in poly and monounsaturated fats. Outside of the kitchen, sesame oil may be used as an alternative medicinal therapy or a dentistry product. But what are the culinary alternatives to sesame seed oil?

People may seek a sesame oil alternative in their cooking for a variety of health reasons and personal preferences. One issue is that the monounsaturated fats it contains are incompatible with persons who have certain types of diabetes. Others may believe that, as nutritious as sesame oil is, it is not lean enough.

Whatever your purpose for looking for a replacement, this article will go through five additional oils that may replicate or replace sesame oil in most cuisines.

Top 5 Sesame Oil Substitutes

Peanut oil, walnut oil, and avocado oil are the finest sesame oil replacements. Sesame oil substitutes include grapeseed and olive oil.

1. Peanut Oil

Peanuts, like sesame seeds, are regarded highly nutritious by nutritionists all over the globe. It’s hardly surprising, however, that many consider peanut oil to be one of the greatest sesame oil alternatives available. Some cookbooks even contain both oils and divide them in the ingredients list with a slash, indicating that the two may be used interchangeably.

Using peanut oil as a sesame oil substitute makes sense, given that both oils have a unique nutty flavor and aroma. To be honest, more people mistake sesame oil for peanut oil than vice versa. Peanut oil also has a low saturated fat content. It is suited for the high temperatures produced by wok or hibachi grill cooking, making it a great element in Asian cuisine. Peanut oil is also widely available at supermarkets.

Having said that, peanut oil is not without flaws. Despite its similar aroma, it has a softer flavor in meals and is readily overshadowed by other ingredients. Although the strong flavor of sesame oil may be the reason you want to swap it for peanut oil in the first place, it is still important for any chef to grasp the difference before using peanut oil as a substitute for sesame oil.

Overall, peanut oil is an excellent sesame oil replacement with no notable downsides.

2. Walnut Oil

Walnut oil is another good sesame oil substitute since it retains the nutty aroma and flavor of sesame oil. Walnuts and walnut oil have been used for as long as sesame oil, with evidence and written documents extending back to ancient Greece and Imperial Persia. It became famous in many different European cuisines and is today a common addition to salads throughout the continent.

Walnut oil is also as beneficial as peanut and sesame oil, having the same good fat and low-calorie options even in oil form. It is, however, a thinner oil that is prone to burning off too rapidly when exposed to intense heat.

Another significant disadvantage is that walnut oil is not as widely available as sesame oil, making it a poor alternative. Sesame oil is many times more likely to be found at a grocery store than walnut oil, making it significantly less ideal. Nonetheless, it will retain the taste of your meals just as well.

3. Avocado Oil

Avocado oil is the first non-nut and non-nutty sesame oil substitute on our list, and it is also the most flavorful so far. Avocados are naturally high in monounsaturated fats and low in saturated fats. When these aspects are considered together, it is no less nutritious to cook with than the other ingredients on this list, although it may be a bit heavier in the stomach when ingested.

The good news is that it is also safe to use at high heat, making it a more popular sesame oil replacement than walnut oil. It also helps that avocado oil is widely available in supermarkets and performs similarly to olive oil while cooking. If a recipe asks for sesame oil, you may replace this oil in equal quantities.

The only significant disadvantage of avocado oil is that it tastes and smells different from sesame oil, but it functions exactly the same.

4. Grapeseed Oil

You may be unaware that grapeseed oil exists. It is not often used in any particular cuisine, but it is a healthy sesame oil replacement. When eaten, grapeseed oil has a plethora of antioxidants and anti-inflammatory qualities. It is also high in fatty acids, which may cause it to burn fast when cooked.

Surprisingly, grapeseed oil has an aroma and taste similar to sesame oil and provides the same complement to other ingredients in a meal. In no way does it smell or taste like grapes. You may use grapeseed oil without worrying about spoiling the flavor of your food. Grapeseed oil is suggested by experts as a sesame oil alternative for diabetics, making it an excellent addition to our list.

Grapeseed oil, on the other hand, is difficult to get and does not have the same shelf life as the other oils on our list. Furthermore, it cannot be subjected to intense heat for extended periods of time. Although grapeseed oil may be used in lieu of sesame seed oil as a dressing, it is not recommended for cooking. When grapeseed oil is poured to a skillet, it quickly burns off creating strangely nutty-smelling vapors.

This is a fantastic option for those who need it, but it is inconvenient for everyone else.

5. Olive Oil

Every chef should understand that olive oil can accomplish everything you want it to do. Yes, although though the two seem to be extremely different at first appearance, olive oil is regarded an acceptable alternative for sesame oil. Olive oil is extracted from green olives and is used in practically all types of cookery. Olive oil may be used as both a seasoning and a lubrication in some pans, such as cast iron and steel.

When cooked, it does not have a distinct flavor, but it does as a dressing. In all of these uses, olive oil is quite prevalent in Mediterranean meals. In dressing, olive oil has an almost salty flavor, but it cooks down and loses flavor rapidly with heat. Even so, it has the potential to modify the overall flavor of any Asian foods in which it is used.

Having said that, olive oil is fairly simple to get and is often marketed in large amounts. The texture and thickness will be noticeable. You may be confident that olive oil is ideal for cooking in whichever method you choose.

Although the taste is somewhat different, olive oil works beautifully in a wok or on a hibachi grill. Olive oil is best used as a replacement for sesame oil in situations where you will be cooking with it rather than using it as a condiment.

Olive oil is another sesame oil alternative that is best utilized in particular situations, but any list of oil substitutes would be incomplete without it.

Which Sesame Oil Replacement Will You Use?

There are many sesame oil replacements that are appropriate for different persons and circumstances. Peanut oil is the most similar to sesame oil overall; since they are so similar, there is essentially no need to replace one for the other save for convenience. Grapeseed oil is an excellent alternative for persons who have diabetes or other medical concerns.

In a pan-frying situation, olive oil will substitute any oil, even sesame oil. If you require a dressing, peanut oil or grapeseed oil are the finest tasting replacements. Finally, there are several choices to consider. With your sesame oil substitution choices put out in front of you, you can easily choose the best decision for yourself and future recipes.