If you’re looking for a Sesame Oil Substitute, you’ve come to the right place.
In this guide, we’ll explore some of the best substitutes for sesame oil, so you can still enjoy your favorite dishes.
Here is a one-stop list of all possible substitutes for sesame oil in your cooking.
So, let’s get right into it.
16 Best Sesame Oil Substitutes
1. Olive Oil
Olive oil works just as well as sesame oil, whether you want to use it for cooking or want to add it to marinades and sauces.
It is also quite a healthy option if you are particular about the kind of fats you consume.
Light olive oil is best if you want the least flavor differences.
How to Substitute?
You can use more or less the same measure of olive oil to replace sesame oil in your recipes.
Here is a special fried chicken recipe with olive oil that you can try at home –
2. Grapeseed Oil
If you are worried about the flavors of the oil ruining the recipe, then you can go for grapeseed oil, which is a relatively mild-flavored oil.
It can work well as a replacement for sesame oil in many recipes, from frying to baking and sauteing.
How to Substitute?
You can use a 1:1 ratio replacement of grapeseed oil for sesame oil in your recipes and it should work just as well.
3. Walnut Oil
When wanting to replace toasted sesame oil, especially in Asian cuisines, you can’t get a better fit than walnut oil.
Its nutty and earthy flavor does justice to the recipe as sesame oil would.
But remember that walnut oil is best used in raw recipes like sauces and salad dressings.
How to Substitute?
You can use the same measure of walnut oil as sesame oil is called for in the recipe and it should taste great.
Check out this walnut oil-based salad dressing that you can use the next time you have run out of sesame oil –
5. Avocado Oil
Be it raw recipes or cooking, avocado oil is another great fit when you are looking for sesame oil substitutes.
Though it may not be as flavorful, it works well in stir-frys, sauteing, and more.
You might want to take note that it gives a greenish tint and is also higher in calories.
How to Substitute?
Avocado oil can be used in a 1:1 ratio substitution instead of sesame oil in most recipes.
To make your own avocado oil from scratch, check out this YouTube tutorial –
6. Peanut Oil
Peanut oil works just fine if you want to fry food and are looking for a sesame oil alternative.
It has a high smoke point and is relatively less bold in flavor.
But peanut oil might not be a great choice for those with peanut or nut allergies.
How to Substitute?
You can use more or less the same measure of peanut oil as sesame oil is called for in a recipe and it should work just as well.
7. Perilla Oil
Perilla seed oil is a great choice if you want to replace toasted sesame oil in your cooking.
It is rich in several health benefits and can work with most recipes that call for sesame oil, even frying.
But it should be consumed with care as it is known for anticoagulant effects, which may be harmful to some.
How to Substitute?
You can use the same measure of perilla oil as sesame oil is called for in the recipe.
Here is a perilla oil noodle recipe that you can try at home –
8. Canola Oil
An easy find at stores when you want to replace sesame oil for frying is canola oil.
It has a high smoke point and is not known for its flavor, so it will affect the overall taste of the recipe less.
It can also be used as a substitute in baking recipes.
How to Substitute?
More or less the same measure of canola oil can be used instead of sesame oil in your recipes.
9. Sunflower Oil
For high-heat frying, sunflower oil is a great choice and an easy find.
It is especially great if you are looking for options that work for people with cholesterol.
But the sunflower oil has a distinct flavor that can change the recipe slightly.
How to Substitute?
You can use sunflower oil in the same ratio as you would have used sesame oil in the recipe and it should work just as well.
10. Tahini
If you are looking to replace sesame oil in raw foods like salads, dressings, and sauces, you could easily use tahini, and sesame seed paste, instead.
They add the same nutty, earthy flavor with hints of the texture and taste of sesame oil.
How to Substitute?
You might want to play around with the ratio of tahini to use in your recipe instead of sesame oil, to get the right balance of flavor you are looking for.
Check out this creamy tahini-based dressing recipe that you can easily give a try –
11. Roasted Sesame Seeds
If the flavor of sesame oil is all you need and the consistency is a non-issue, then you might want to add some roasted sesame seeds to your dish.
This choice works best in raw recipes or sautés and stir-fry where you don’t need the oil as a binding agent.
How to Substitute?
You will need to experiment with the right ratio of roasted sesame seeds to add to get the flavor balance you prefer.
12. Coconut Oil
Coconut oil is a versatile alternative to sesame oil in cooking, frying, and baking recipes.
It has a high smoke point, and if you are a fan of the coconut flavor, it is a great choice.
But that being said, the flavor of the overall dish will change when coconut oil is used.
How to Substitute?
More or less the same measure of coconut oil will be needed in your recipes that call for sesame oil.
Check out this video for a coconut oil fried chicken recipe –
13. Almond Oil
In Chinese recipes, almond oil works just as well as sesame oil in terms of flavor. It has a high smoke point and is great for cooking and frying recipes.
But remember that almond oil has a distinct flavor and might not work well in all recipes.
How to Substitute?
You can use the same ratio of almond oil to substitute sesame oil in the recipes although there may be slight flavor differences.
14. Butter
When you are pressed for a quick-fix solution to sesame oil in your cooking, baking, or even raw recipes, you can use butter instead.
But keep in mind that the flavors of the final recipe will not be the same, and it is not great for frying.
How to Substitute?
You might want to play around with the measure of butter to replace sesame oil in your recipe to get the closest to the original flavor.
15. Fish Oil
To add flavor to your raw recipes like salads or dressings, you can use fish oil to replace sesame oil.
Though the flavor profiles are quite different, it offers the same added richness to the dish.
It is also known for being a great health supplement.
How to Substitute?
Depending on the flavor balance you are looking for, you might want to play around with the measure of fish oil used to replace sesame oil in your dishes.
16. Flaxseed Oil
Another healthy substitution of sesame oil in raw or cold recipes is flaxseed oil.
Although it cannot be used in cooking recipes it works well in salads, sauces, and dressings.
It is also a great option if you are looking to keep your cholesterol levels in check.
How to Substitute?
You can experiment with the ratio of flaxseed oil to get the flavor balance you prefer in your dish.
Here is a video to help you make the most of flaxseed oil in your cooking –
Bottom Line
Thanks for reading! I hope you found these substitutes helpful.
If you have any additional ones, please share them in the comments.
And be sure to share this post with your friends and family who might find it helpful, too.