Whether you’re sautéeing onions, baking cupcakes, or deep-frying a turkey, you’re going to need cooking oil. But how do you determine which one? Aside from the cost, there are other traits to consider, including the oil’s flavor profile and smoke point—the temperature at which it visibly forms smoke. Fortunately, we ran through a long list of cooking oils to determine the four types of cooking oil all home cooks should have stocked their pantries.

Olive Oil

Production Process
Using an ancient Greek technique, whole olives are pressed to create this healthy, versatile oil.

Smoke Point: 400–468 degrees

Flavor
Olive oils are available in a wide range flavors, including chipotle and chocolate. You can dip bread in the most potent iterations and experiment with them as salad dressings. For everyday cooking, however, it’s best to seek out a mild olive oil.

Best Uses

• Salad dressings and dips
• Sautéed, seared, fried, and stir-fried dishes
• Oven-broiled and roasted vegetables

Worst Uses

• Baked goods
• Deep-fried dishes

Try This
Toss broccoli in olive oil, salt, and pepper, then roast it in the oven for 25 minutes.

A+ Alternates
Safflower and sunflower oils have a slightly milder taste than olive oil, but thanks to their similar smoke points, the oils can be used interchangeably.

Canola Oil

Production Process
Canola oil proves names can be deceiving, as it is actually made from a modern variety of the ancient rapeseed, a turnip plant.

Smoke Point: Approximately 400 degrees

Flavor
Despite its GMO status, this oil is as bland as they come and easily disappears next to more pungent ingredients.

Best Uses

• Baked goods
• Sautéed, deep-fried, and roasted foods
• Biodiesel

Worst Use

• Seasonings

Try This
Craft a refreshing vinaigrette by whisking canola oil with lemon juice, honey, salt, and pepper.

A+ Alternates
Other vegetable oils, such as corn oil, are similarly mild.

Coconut Oil

Production Process
Loaded with lauric acid, this household staple is extracted from coconut meat.

Smoke Point: 350 degrees

Flavor
The mild oil is somewhat of a chameleon—although it adds complexity to sweet and savory dishes, it disappears completely when paired with stronger flavors.

Best Uses

• Baked goods, especially cookies, cakes, or brownies
• Sautéed and stir-fried Asian cuisine

Worst Uses

• Salad dressings, drizzles, and other room-temperature recipes, which solidify the oil

Try This
Add another layer to the taste of french toast by frying it in coconut oil.

A+ Alternates
Avocado oil’s buttery flavor makes it a good substitute for coconut oil.

Unsalted Butter

Production Process
Essentially milk fat, butter is made from the cooled cream of whole milk.

Smoke Point: Approximately 350 degrees

Flavor
US butter consumption is the highest its been since the 1970s, thanks to its rich, creamy taste and lack of trans fats.

Best Uses

• Coffee condiment
• Spread on toast
• Baked goods

Worst Use

• Deep-fried dishes

Try This
Take a bite from a stick to add shine to your chompers.

A+ Alternates
It’s butter—there is no substitute. Unless you’ve got ghee, which is just clarified butter.

Photos by Russ Augustine, Groupon

Learn about alternative uses for cooking oils:

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