Almond Oil Uses: What You Can Do With Edible Almond Oil
Almond oil is best known for its use in the manufacture of cosmetics, but edible almond oil (labeled 'food grade') can also be used as a cooking oil. In this article, we provide a bunch of ideas and tips on how you can use almond oil in the kitchen to whip up crowd-pleasing culinary creations. And, thanks to the wonderful nutrient profile of almond oil, your culinary creations featuring almond oil will also be good for your body!
1. Use Almond Oil for Marinades
Foodgrade almond oil makes a fabulous base for marinades. To make a simple marinade that is enough for about 3 pounds (1.4 kg) of meat, simply whisk together the following ingredients in a small bowl:
- 1 cup almond oil
- 1/2 cup vinegar
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 3 tablespoons finely chopped fresh herbs
The sky is the limit when it comes to flavoring marinade with herbs, but if you have no idea where to start, try some of the more common herbs, such as parsley, oregano, chives, sage, rosemary and marjoram.
2. Use Refined Almond Oil for Cooking
Cold-pressed almond oil has a low smoke point (the temperature at which an oil starts to get damaged, both in terms of flavor aspects and nutritional qualities) and is therefore not ideal for cooking dishes that require high heat. In contrast, refined almond oil has a relatively high smoke point (around 430 °F or 221 °C) and can be used for pan-frying and sautéing. On the downside, refined almond oil is not quite as flavorful as its cold-pressed counterpart, so it is best to opt for cold-pressed almond oil whenever the recipe does not require cooking food at a medium or high temperature.
3. Eat It Straight from the Spoon!
If you're not much of a culinary enthusiast but want to make sure you get your vitamin E and phytosterols, you can use almond oil as a dietary supplement by consuming it straight from the spoon. In addition to providing you with an abundance of vitamin E and phytosterols, a spoonful of almond oil will provide you with plenty of unsaturated omega-6 fatty acids and even a small amount of vitamin K.
4. Add It to Your Smoothies
Another way to reap the nutritional benefits of almond oil is to add a small amount to your favorite smoothie. As almond oil boasts a mild flavor, it won't destroy the subtle flavor layers of your smoothie. If you're using smoothie ingredients that are rich in pro-vitamin A (such as carrots or apricots) or vitamin K (such as green leafy vegetables), adding almond oil to your smoothie will make those vitamins more available to your body. Why? Because pro-vitamin A and vitamin K are classified as fat-soluble nutrients which need fat (such as almond oil) to be absorbed properly.
5. Use Almond Oil in Salad Dressings
Almond oil also makes an excellent healthy base for salad dressing. You can use it as the only source of fats in the dressing or combine it with other healthy oils. To make a tasty vinaigrette-style salad dressing using almond oil, add the following ingredients into a clean, empty jar:
- 2 Tbsp chopped parsley
- 1 Tbsp chopped chives
- 1 Tbsp chopped tarragon leaves
- 1/2 cup coarsely chooped almonds
- 2 Tbsp foodgrade almond oil
- 1 Tbsp red wide vinegar
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Next, screw on the lid and shake the jar rigorously for about 15 seconds.
6. Topical Uses for Almond Oil
Last but not least, almond oil makes an excellent natural moisturizer. You don't need to head to the drugstore to buy almond oil labeled 'for cosmetic use' – edible, foodgrade almond oil will do the trick as well. Simply apply a few drops of almond oil on dry or flaky skin, and massage gently. Some women also use sweet almond oil as a natural eye-makeup remover by adding a few drops of oil on a cotton swab and then wiping the affected area in a circular motion.
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