With its impressively high smoke point and mild taste, this oil is a kitchen workhorse. Trending Videos
Despite its puzzling name (well get to that later), safflower oil is one of the most straightforward, useful ingredients you can keep in your pantry. Its perfect for everything from sautéing and deep frying to baking and whisking into a salad dressing. Plus, its inexpensive and easy to find in supermarkets. Interested yet? We thought so.
Safflower oil is made from the seeds of the safflower plant, which, though less familiar, is related to the sunflower. The plant itself is a flowering annual, with blooms that look a bit like yellow thistles. The oil manufacturers extract from the safflower plant has an unassertive taste and a neutral aroma, which makes it ideal for when you dont want a pronounced flavor from an oil in a recipe (hello, chocolate cake). Its mildness also makes it a great base for salad dressings, especially if youre adding intensely flavored ingredients such as Dijon mustard or citrus juice, as well as herbs and spices, such as cilantro, cumin, or oregano.
The easy flavor of safflower oil isnt the only thing it has going for it, though. This oils smoke point-otherwise known as the temperature at which it begins to break down-is a super-high 510 degrees. Making twice-fried French fries? Safflower oil is perfect. The same goes for latkes, sweet potato fries, falafel, fried chicken, and other deep-fried indulgences; theyll get nice and crispy in safflower oil, without taking on any acrid or burnt taste.
When shopping, look for refined high-heat safflower oil, and check the expiration date. As with most oils, stow safflower oil in the pantry (not near the stove) to protect it from heat and sunlight. It keeps for several months-if you dont use it up before then. Was this page helpful?
Safflower oil is a popular cooking oil that can be used for sautéing, salad dressings, and mayonnaise. It also makes a great carrier oil for massage therapy and is sometimes used in homemade remedies. One of the benefits of safflower oil is that it’s rich in polyunsaturated fatty acids.
With its impressively high smoke point and mild taste, this oil is a kitchen workhorse. Trending Videos
The easy flavor of safflower oil isnt the only thing it has going for it, though. This oils smoke point-otherwise known as the temperature at which it begins to break down-is a super-high 510 degrees. Making twice-fried French fries? Safflower oil is perfect. The same goes for latkes, sweet potato fries, falafel, fried chicken, and other deep-fried indulgences; theyll get nice and crispy in safflower oil, without taking on any acrid or burnt taste.
When shopping, look for refined high-heat safflower oil, and check the expiration date. As with most oils, stow safflower oil in the pantry (not near the stove) to protect it from heat and sunlight. It keeps for several months-if you dont use it up before then. Was this page helpful?
Safflower oil is made from the seeds of the safflower plant, which, though less familiar, is related to the sunflower. The plant itself is a flowering annual, with blooms that look a bit like yellow thistles. The oil manufacturers extract from the safflower plant has an unassertive taste and a neutral aroma, which makes it ideal for when you dont want a pronounced flavor from an oil in a recipe (hello, chocolate cake). Its mildness also makes it a great base for salad dressings, especially if youre adding intensely flavored ingredients such as Dijon mustard or citrus juice, as well as herbs and spices, such as cilantro, cumin, or oregano.
Despite its puzzling name (well get to that later), safflower oil is one of the most straightforward, useful ingredients you can keep in your pantry. Its perfect for everything from sautéing and deep frying to baking and whisking into a salad dressing. Plus, its inexpensive and easy to find in supermarkets. Interested yet? We thought so.
Here is the nutrition breakdown for 1 tablespoon (14 grams) of safflower oil (5):
In fact, some studies suggest that the omega-6 fat linoleic acid, the primary component of standard safflower oil, may actually harm health when consumed in excess (8).
This is because safflower oil has a high smoke point of around 450℉ (232℃). In fact, safflower oil has a higher smoke point than other commonly used oils, such as canola oil (3).
A smoke point is the temperature at which a fat begins to smoke, which creates toxic fumes and harmful compounds called free radicals (4).
As mentioned above, safflower oil is composed primarily of fat and, aside from vitamin E, lacks vitamins and minerals.
How I Use Saff Flower (Poor Man’s Saffron) with Rice – Steven Heap
FAQ
What food is safflower used in?
Does safflower taste like saffron?
What is safflower seasoning used for?
How is safflower used?
What is safflower used for?
Safflower is cultivated mostly for its seeds, which are used to make safflower oil; however, the petals are useful as well. You can use them as a spice and as a food coloring. Consider the following uses for safflower. We earn a commission if you make a purchase, at no additional cost to you.
Is there a good substitute for saffron?
There are a lot of options if you need to substitute saffron and I will just go ahead and list them out. The first option you might like is turmeric, but you could also go with safflower, annatto, marigold flowers, curry, paprika, cardamom, or calendula. The type of substitute will depend on your specific tastes and the dish you are making, so be sure to do some research.
What can I use safflower oil for?
Use safflower oil in recipes where you’d normally use extra-virgin olive oil or canola oil, since its mild flavor and cooking utility make it a good all-purpose neutral oil. Homemade salad dressing with lemon juice, white wine vinegar, black pepper, and dijon mustard.
Why are safflower seeds important?
Safflower seeds are especially important because they are used to make safflower oil, a common cooking oil. Monounsaturated safflower oil, which is most common, is useful for frying or baking. The less-common polyunsaturated safflower oil should not be heated and works well in salad dressings.