How to cook soybean oil

The soybean has the distinction of being the plant used most often to produce vegetable oil. The oil made from the yellowish brown legume is high in polyunsaturated fat and low in saturated fat. About 15 percent of the fat provided by soybean oil is saturated.

Soybean oil is one of the most commonly used oils for commercial food purposes. It has a smoke point of 410 degrees F, making it useful for frying. However, sometimes manufacturers may hydrogenate the oil, decreasing its health attributes. It is commonly used in margarine and shortening.

How to cook soybean oil

Although soybean oil is versatile for cooking, some people find that it has a somewhat fishy taste and heavy texture. Use caution when using soybean oil by itself as a seasoning or dressing.

Serving suggestions

When soybean oil is used as a cooking medium, its flavor complements Asian and Indian cuisines.