6 Best Coconut Oil for Cooking

Coconut oil adds a unique flavor and richness to your meals, and quality matters for optimal taste. Check out our list of the best coconut oils for cooking delicious dishes in your kitchen.

best coconut oil for cooking

Nowadays, there’s a plethora of coconut oils to choose from as you browse through your grocery store. With the global coconut oil market size reaching up to $3.6 billion, producers are quick to jump into the industry to grab their share.

With a myriad of coconut oil brands in the market, finding the right one can be challenging. Nonetheless, you can narrow down your choice to its usage. If you’re using the oil for baking and frying, refined is the best option.

If you want to capture the oil’s essence, flavor, and nutrients, opt for its cold-pressed counterpart. The latter may prove pricier since the product has a shorter shelf-life than the processed expeller-pressed version.

Stick around to learn more about the best coconut oils for cooking and their best uses.

best coconut oil for cooking

365 WFM Coconut Oil

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365 WFM’s coconut oil offers users the best value in this list. You can rest easy while using this USDA-certified healthy oil butter alternative. The oil has a subtle coconut taste, making it ideal for baking brownies and other pastries.

The oil’s texture is soft and melts at 150 degrees F. The brand’s oil is expeller-pressed. In turn, it may not carry as many nutrients compared to cold-pressed options.

Expeller-pressing uses heat, which breaks up natural enzymes. Consequently, the production process likely removed some of the oil’s odor and taste.

Best For

  • Baking
  • Sauteing
  • Stir-Frying
365 by Whole Foods Market, Organic Refined Coconut...
  • Medium Heat Up To 375°F Medium Heat
  • Our Organic Coconut Oil Is Refined So It Can Withstand Medium Heat Cooking Temperatures, Up To...
  • Sodium Free See Nutrition Information For Total Fat And Saturated Fat Content

Nutiva Organic Coconut Oil

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Nutiva sources its raw coconut ingredient from the Philippines, ensuring fresh quality. It has a neutral taste. Subsequently, you can incorporate it into your savory meals, such as eggs and salads.

The oil conveniently remains liquid and has a medium smoking point of up to 350 degrees F. Besides that, the brand’s organic oil is rich in Medium-chain Triglycerides (MCTs). These fats provide several benefits, from appetite control to increased energy levels.

Some manufacturers use the chemical solvent hexane to extract oil from copra or dried coconut kernels. Nonetheless, Nutiva avoids using this processing method and instead draws out its oils through the cold-pressing technique.

Best For

  • Sauteing
  • Cooking
  • Skincare and Haircare
Nutiva Organic Liquid Fractionated Coconut Oil, 16...
  • Nutiva’s all-natural cold press extraction and USDA certified organic processes yield a pure,...
  • With a medium smoke point , coconut oil is a perfect alternative to traditional oils such as...
  • Ideal addition to vegetarian, vegan, raw, whole food, paleo-friendly, ketogenic, and gluten-free...

Thrive Market Coconut Oil

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Thrive Market sources its coconut oil sustainably from a farm in the Philippines. Besides its ethical production background, the brand’s oil is cold-pressed and organic. You can use unrefined oil for your sauteing, stir-frying, and baking needs.

Since it’s cold-pressed, Thrive Market’s coconut oil sustains more nutrients. You can use it for your beauty routine on your hair, skin, and nails.

Its moisturizing and healthy features will keep your body glowing inside and outside. Some studies suggest the oil’s effectiveness for weight loss compared to other options like soybean oil.

Best For

  • Stir-Frying
  • Sauteing
  • Baking
  • Skincare and Haircare

La Tourangelle Coconut Oil

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La Tourangelle specializes in several oils, whether sunflower, canola, or avocado. Subsequently, its expertise in the industry is undoubted. The brand’s coconut oil proves its years of knowledge. Its expeller-pressed production provides the oil with a mild taste and fragrance.

With a relatively high smoking point reaching 400 degrees F, you can use the oil for baking and cooking. It would work exceptionally well for making brownies, granola, and popcorn. Its use also extends to seasoning cast iron pans.

Since it’s refined, La Tourangelle’s coconut oil is more cost-effective. Its creamy texture and subtle sweet smell are ideal for skincare and haircare applications.

Best For

  • Baking
  • Frying
La Tourangelle, Organic Refined Coconut Oil, Great...
  • For Food and Beyond: Our Organic Refined Coconut Oil is truly a unique ingredient with pure fresh...
  • Quality You can Taste: The mainstay of all La Tourangelle’s natural, artisanal oils is premium...
  • Delicious and Versatile: Our oils, dressings and vinaigrettes make it easy to create distinctive...

Carrington Farms Coconut Oil

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Carrington Farms’ USDA-certified coconut oil has Philippine-sourced raw ingredients. The oil is expeller-pressed, filtered, and distilled. In turn, it carries no flavor or odor. Its highest smoking point is up to 350 degrees F.

The brand’s oil is lightweight; you can use it for frying vegetables and other medium to high-heat cooking purposes. The oil is also suitable for salad dressings and sauces.

Aside from that, Carrington Farms is a reliable brand since it’s a member of the Coconut Coalition of the Americas (CCA). The organization aims to support the coconut market and its sustainable practice.

Best For

  • Baking
  • Frying
  • Dressing
Carrington Farms gluten free, hexane free,...
  • COOKING OIL ALTERNATIVE - Carrington Farms liquid coconut cooking oil is a great alternative to...
  • INCREDIBLE QUALITY - Our gluten free, hexane free, and NON-GMO Project Verified Organic liquid...
  • NUTRIENT DENSE - Carrington Farms Organic liquid coconut oil has five times more calorie burning...

BetterBody Organic Coconut Oil

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BetterBody’s organic coconut oil doesn’t use copra or dried coconuts in its production. Instead, it sources fresh fruit flesh from the Philippines and Sri Lanka, which are two of the largest coconut producers globally.

The cold-pressed and non-GMO oil has a 325-degree F smoking point, making it fit for medium-heat cooking. You can use the oil to make your morning scrambled eggs or add a drizzle when cooking rice. BetterBody’s oil is also well-suited for frying vegetables.

The oil has health features such as MCTs. It suits several dietary restrictions since it’s kosher and gluten-free. BetterBody’s product comes in three package sizes, 15.5, 56, and 82 fluid ounces.

Best For

  • Baking
  • Frying
BetterBody Foods Organic Unrefined Coconut Oil -...
  • Boost your energy: BetterBody Foods Organic Virgin Coconut Oil contains roughly 60% energy-driving...
  • Coconut Flavor: If you love the smell and taste of coconut, this one's for you. Our Organic Virgin...
  • Better than butter: Our coconut oil can take the place of butter, cooking oil, margarine, or...

What is Coconut Oil?

As its name suggests, manufacturers produce coconut oil by extracting oil from coconut flesh in a pressing process. Producers create the oil through two different methods. They could cold-press raw coconut flesh. Next, they separate the milk and oil using a centrifuge machine.

Another more energy-intensive method uses a heat or steam-powered machine to expel the oil from the coconut. In some cases, the coconut is dry and referred to as copra.

How is Coconut Oil Used in Cooking?

Coconut oil’s smoking point is relatively low. Subsequently, chefs usually use it during sauteing or baking. The oil is unsuitable for deep-frying.

Besides that, you can add coconut oil to your sauces or garnish your meals with it. The aroma and flavor of the cold-pressed version can freshen any dish.