If there could be only one staple in a kitchen, it would probably be cooking oil. Whether it would be in the big plastic tubs your grandmother buys during her trips to the palengke or the olive oil your mother swears by, you cannot deny that it is a mainstay in your pantry.
There are a lot of varieties of cooking oil, and it can get confusing as to what would be the best for you. We’ve put together our top 10 recommended products, as well as a buying guide, fact-checked by nutritionist-dietitian Samantha Morales, to help you decide which cooking oil is the best choice for you and your household.
Samantha began her career in clinical nutrition and weight management at a tertiary hospital in Manila, Philippines. Her practice allowed her to give nutrition counseling and plan modified diets for patients with medical conditions. Presently, she does private practice to focus on true holistic wellness - an approach that believes in aligning one's mind, body, and spiritual well-being.
Our recommendation articles are carefully researched and crafted by the mybest Philippines team of writers and editors. To stay true to our company’s mission and vision to help users’ selection process easier, we also collaborate with experts from various fields to ensure that our content stays factual and useful.
Buying guides reviewed by featured experts.
Products or services listed have been independently ranked by the mybest Editorial Team based on the points mentioned in our thoroughly researched buying guide as of 01-16-2023. Experts featured in this article did not participate in the selection and ranking process.
Here are some key points to consider:
For more detailed information, read through our buying guide below.
Cooking oil has a number of uses, from your everyday cooking to more elaborate baking. But not all cooking oils are created equal, plus different types have different benefits.
Extra virgin is one of the most versatile and healthy oils to use in cooking, as it is not refined and free from additives. It is rich in antioxidants, contains vitamins E and K, and has anti-inflammatory properties that help prevent chronic inflammatory diseases such as cancer, heart disease, arthritis, and obesity.
Other olive oil grades such as virgin, pure, or pomace are milder and more stable, but the quality also downgrades as more solvents are added, and you get less nutritional benefits.
It offers more flavor than other oils, which is why it is great for dressings, sauces, and sautéing vegetables. You can even use it for baking. However, it has a lower smoke point, so it is best for low and medium-heat cooking.
It has powerful health benefits and is rich in healthy fatty acids such as Lauric acid, which helps improve cholesterol levels and kill bacteria. There are varying opinions about it as it contains a high amount of saturated fat. However, it’s not the same saturated fat as in fast food, though it is best to treat it like any other oils and use it in moderation.
Make sure to choose virgin coconut oil as it contains more benefits. It is also famous for paleo and vegan diets, as it could be used as a substitute for butter in its solid state. It has a higher smoke point and is good for frying, sautéing, and baking.
Canola comes from rapeseed and is low in saturated fats compared to other oils. It has healthy fatty monounsaturated acids. However, the issue about canola is that it is highly processed, so look for cold-pressed varieties as well as a quality brand.
It is a good option as it is inexpensive and can be used for your daily cooking and even baking. It has a neutral flavor that will not overpower your food and a high smoking point that is perfect for deep-frying.
It has the highest level of monounsaturated fats, second only to olive oil, and is low in polyunsaturated fats. It contains vitamin E as well as the antioxidant lutein, which is good for the eyes. It is unrefined like extra virgin oil but has a milder taste and is said to be creamy, like an avocado.
Similar to olive oil, it can be used hot or cold, such as dressings. It also has a higher smoke point than olive oil, so it is perfect for stir-fry, baking, and roasting. The only downside about this oil is that it is on the expensive side.
Generally, cooking oils are either refined or unrefined. Both has its own advantages and it would depend on where it would be used for.
Unrefined or virgin oils are typically handled with minimal heat and are the least processed. They are usually labeled cold-pressed, virgin, or extra-virgin. They also have a more pronounced color, smell, and flavor. They have a lower smoking point because it contains enzymes and minerals that don’t get along well with heat.
They are more nutritious than refined oils because they can retain most of their natural nutrients. They are also ideal for dressings and low-temperature cooking as they have more flavor but are easily spoiled due to the lack of preservatives.
Refined oils have higher smoking points as it undergoes additional processes like bleaching, filtering, distilling, and adding some preservatives. As a result, it loses most of its nutrients during its extraction process.
It results in a neutral-tasting oil with a higher shelf life. It is ideal for high-heat cooking such as deep frying, as it is able to withstand high temperatures than unrefined oils. It also won't leave an overpowering flavor.
Have you encountered your oil smoking? This means you have used oil with a low smoke point and not intended for what you planned. All types of oil have a smoking point, and if you heat it past the smoke point, it destroys beneficial nutrients and phytochemicals.
It is also at the point where it releases harmful free radicals that could injure your cells and DNA when ingested. Olive, coconut, and avocado oils have a low smoke point, while canola and vegetable oils have a higher smoke point.
Processed oils may contain trans fat, which is the product of a process called hydrogenation when it solidifies healthy oils in order to preserve them. Although these oils are neutral flavored and have a high smoke point, it would be beneficial for your health in the long run if they are avoided.
Vegetable oil is actually a blanket term as it usually contains a mixture of corn, sunflower, and soybean, or sometimes just soybean oil. It is also found in processed foods such as salad dressings, margarine, mayonnaise, and cookies. They may be marketed as heart-healthy as it contains high amounts of Omega-6.
However, studies say that Omega-6 and Omega-3 must be consumed at an even ratio as a high intake of Omega-6 alone could lead to an increased risk of obesity, heart disease, and arthritis. Some varieties could also contain trans fat.
Snack foods like bread, chips, and even peanut butter contains hydrogenated palm oil because it is inexpensive and has a relatively stable shelf life. It contains a very high amount of saturated fat and is said to increase the risk of heart disease in some people. It is also quite controversial because of its ethical issues that impact the environment.
You can assure top quality with this extra virgin olive oil from Cobram Estate as it's extracted using the cold press method within 4-6 hours from harvest. It was also named the World's Healthiest Extra-Virgin Olive Oil at the 2017 Health & Food Extra Virgin Olive Oil Awards Competition because it's a natural source of antioxidants and vitamin E.
The brand is also known for supporting sustainable agricultural practices by planting over crops to prevent soil erosion. It has a fresh grassy taste with a slight hint of green tomatoes and bananas that leaves a creamy aftertaste, which will definitely enhance the quality of your dishes.
Bottled in Italy and produced from various olives from Italy, Portugal, and Spain, you'll get the most bang for your buck in this 2-liter extra virgin olive oil that is purely undiluted as compared to other olive oils on the market. It is kosher, USDA certified organic, and cold-pressed so you can get the maximum flavor in your dish.
This certainly is one of the best-tasting olive oils that you'll find at its price point. Its fresh, fruity, and robust taste is something you'll love finding hints of on your favorite dishes! Keeping up with a healthy lifestyle is surely made easy with this delicious organic olive oil.
Fond of deep-fried food? Check this cooking oil from one of the trusted brands in the Philippines, Baguio. This has been a household favorite for most Filipino families because of its affordability, plus its excellent quality. This product is made with 100% pure coconut oil extracted from dried coconut meat and is rich in lauric acid.
What's great about this Pure Coconut Oil is that it has a longer shelf life because it is highly resistant to oxidation, which means you can save up on money with this inexpensive cooking oil! However, do take note that this cooking oil is refined, so if you want to get the full benefit of coconut oil, you might want to look for extra virgin coconut oil instead!
Here's another option for an extra virgin olive oil produced by Bertolli, a known Italian brand. This only has 0.3% acidity, ensuring that you enjoy nothing but its full-bodied flavor. Additionally, its extraction is done through cold-pressing, which means it has no additional refining, heating, or processing.
Bertolli uses organic olives sourced from Spain, Greece, and Italy, which gives it a rich, robust and fruity taste. You'll definitely love adding this delicious olive oil to your favorite pasta, salad, meat, and other dishes!
This avocado oil from Chosen Foods is a great healthy alternative to olive oil should you want more varieties of cooking oil in your pantry. This is made from 100% Hass avocadoes which were sourced from non-GMO farms in Mexico and naturally refined, which means it was made without the use of chemicals.
Its process is so unique that it was able to retain 60% of the Vitamin E and 80% beta-sitosterol. It is also abundant in monounsaturated oil, so it's amazing when used as a base for different dips, especially because it boasts of a smooth, buttery, and mild flavor and has an aroma that's great for sautéing, baking, and frying.
If you hate how your food's taste is usually altered by your cooking oil, then this Pacific Sunrise vegetable oil might just be the one for you. It has a neutral flavor, and will even make your dishes more appetizing by bringing out their flavor! You'll be glad to know that this product features 0% calories and trans-fat and has no GMOs.
This cooking oil is made from palm olein, plus it does not burn as fast compared to its other non-palm-based cooking oil counterparts, which is why it's great to use for deep frying. Make your dishes more appetizing and filling, whether it's your eggs in the morning or your favorite garlic fried rice.
This Canola Oil from Cadia is ideal for medium to high heat cooking such as frying, sautéing, and baking as it has a high smoke point. It is also 100% expeller-pressed, which means a machine was used to physically press the seed to squeeze out the oil instead of using chemicals, which you'll be glad to know, means it has no trace of hexane.
The oil is extracted from non-GMO Canola plants and has 0% trans-fat, cholesterol, and carbohydrates. It is also gluten-free and vegan, which meets various dietary needs. This could be used for deep-frying your favorites, such as French fries, as it has undergone an RBD process, so it won't alter the taste of any of your dishes.
Doña Elena is one of the most loved olive oil brands in the country, especially because it uses two kinds of olives in its process; hojiblanca, which has a lightly sweet and bitter taste, and picual, which tastes fruity and balanced, both of which is 100% made in Spain, and produced in the Andalucia region, which is known for its production of olive oil.
Doña Elena offers comprehensive sizes ranging from 250 ml to an industrial size of 5 liters, so it's perfect for every household, whether you're cooking for just yourself or the entire family. It goes well with a variety of dishes and is fairly affordable, which explains why it's one of the go-to olive oils of Filipinos.
If you and your family love fried food, then this cooking oil is perfect for you as it does not contain trans-fat and is cholesterol free, so it'll definitely be a healthier lifestyle choice. It has a neutral flavor and smell that is suitable for deep-frying, and it does not alter the taste of your dishes. It's also a really great option if you are on a ketogenic diet.
It contains lauric acid, which is antimicrobial, anti-viral, and anti-fungal. It also does not release free radicals when heated, which makes it healthier for your cells and is perfect for hot and cold cooking. Because of its healthy and natural processing, it has garnered different certified seals such as from the USDA, the EU, and the JAS.
This canola oil from Marca Leon is imported from Australia and proudly meets international quality standards. Compared to other oils, canola has the lowest amount of saturated fat, and this one, in particular, is free from Euric Acid and made from non-GMO canola.
This product is sealed fresh, which promises a longer shelf life for you to use it. Because it features a neutral odor, you'll love cooking your favorite fried dishes in it, as it's guaranteed to not alter the taste of your food. If you're looking for quality cooking oil that doesn't break the bank, this is definitely one to go for!
Below are some of the most asked questions on the web answered by the mybest team.
Extra virgin olive oil is one of the healthiest and, not to mention, most popular oil on the market. This is because they are nutrient-packed and have more antioxidants and heart-healthy fats.
Cooking oil is made out of edible vegetable oils extracted from a variety of fruits, seeds, safflower, olives, seeds, grains, and nuts. Depending on the brand's manufacturing process, the oil can be either unrefined or refined.
Coconut oil is the best kind for those who experience acid reflux. It can help relieve and prevent symptoms as well as reduce acid reflux's severity.
Cooking oils are very versatile. Aside from frying, you can also use them as a substitute for butter in baking as well as coat your pans to make them non-stick. Stock your pantry with these other picks below.
Author: Justine Cuizon
Re-Editor: Andi Sanchez
Our buying guide was carefully researched and crafted by the mybest team of writers and editors. We used the buying guide as a basis for choosing and ranking the product recommendations, and we looked at reviews and ratings from different E-commerce sites like Lazada, Shopee, and more.
When you purchase products mentioned in the article, part of the sales may be returned to mybest.
The descriptions of each product is referenced from the content available from the manufacturer, e-commerce sites etc.
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