Oil, corn, industrial and retail, all purpose salad or cooking
Whole food · Fats and Oils
Photo: Wikipedia
Corn oil is a golden, neutral-flavored liquid fat extracted from the germ of corn kernels, prized for its clean taste and high smoke point. It has a light, smooth texture that coats ingredients evenly without overpowering them. Nutritionally, it is 100% fat, providing a dense 900 calories per 100 grams, but contains beneficial polyunsaturated fats, including omega-6 fatty acids.
💚 Why it's loved
People love corn oil for its incredible versatility and reliability in the kitchen; its neutral taste lets the flavors of the food shine through. It's a workhorse oil for everything from crispy fried chicken to delicate sautéed vegetables, making it a staple in countless households and restaurants.
⚠️ Watch-outs & how to enjoy it better
The primary concern is its high omega-6 fatty acid content. While essential, an excessive intake relative to omega-3s in a modern diet may promote inflammation. To counteract this, consciously increase omega-3 intake by eating fatty fish (salmon, mackerel), flaxseeds, or walnuts, and use a variety of oils (like olive or avocado) in your cooking rotation.
Key benefits
- High in polyunsaturated fats, particularly linoleic acid (omega-6)
- Rich in vitamin E, a natural antioxidant
- High smoke point (~450°F/232°C) makes it stable for high-heat cooking
- Neutral flavor profile doesn't alter the taste of dishes
- Contains plant sterols which can help manage cholesterol levels
🍽️ Popular dishes
🌍 Where it's eaten
💡 Did you know?
A single bushel of corn (about 56 pounds) yields roughly 1.5 gallons of corn oil, making it a relatively efficient byproduct of the corn milling industry.
Full nutrition (scales with serving)
| Water | 0.00 g |
| Energy | 900 kcal |
| Energy | 3766 kj |
| Protein | 0.00 g |
| Total lipid (fat) | 100 g |
| Ash | 0.00 g |
| Carbohydrate, by difference | 0.00 g |
| Fiber, total dietary | 0.00 g |
| Total Sugars | 0.00 g |
| Calcium, Ca | 0.00 mg |
| Iron, Fe | 0.00 mg |
| Magnesium, Mg | 0.00 mg |
| Phosphorus, P | 0.00 mg |
| Potassium, K | 0.00 mg |
| Sodium, Na | 0.00 mg |
| Zinc, Zn | 0.00 mg |
| Copper, Cu | 0.00 mg |
| Selenium, Se | 0.00 ug |
| Vitamin C, total ascorbic acid | 0.00 mg |
| Thiamin | 0.00 mg |
| Riboflavin | 0.00 mg |
| Niacin | 0.00 mg |
| Pantothenic acid | 0.00 mg |
| Vitamin B-6 | 0.00 mg |
| Folate, total | 0.00 ug |
| Folic acid | 0.00 ug |
| Folate, food | 0.00 ug |
| Folate, DFE | 0.00 ug |
| Choline, total | 0.20 mg |
| Vitamin B-12 | 0.00 ug |
| Vitamin B-12, added | 0.00 ug |
| Vitamin A, RAE | 0.00 ug |
| Retinol | 0.00 ug |
| Carotene, beta | 0.00 ug |
| Carotene, alpha | 0.00 ug |
| Cryptoxanthin, beta | 0.00 ug |
| Vitamin A, IU | 0.00 iu |
| Lycopene | 0.00 ug |
| Lutein + zeaxanthin | 0.00 ug |
| Vitamin E (alpha-tocopherol) | 14.3 mg |
| Vitamin E, added | 0.00 mg |
| Vitamin D (D2 + D3), International Units | 0.00 iu |
| Vitamin D (D2 + D3) | 0.00 ug |
| Vitamin K (phylloquinone) | 1.9 ug |
| Fatty acids, total saturated | 12.9 g |
| SFA 4:0 | 0.00 g |
| SFA 6:0 | 0.00 g |
| SFA 8:0 | 0.00 g |
| SFA 10:0 | 0.00 g |
| SFA 12:0 | 0.00 g |
| SFA 14:0 | 0.02 g |
| SFA 15:0 | 0.00 g |
| SFA 16:0 | 10.6 g |
| SFA 17:0 | 0.07 g |
| SFA 18:0 | 1.8 g |
| SFA 20:0 | 0.43 g |
| SFA 22:0 | 0.00 g |
| Fatty acids, total monounsaturated | 27.6 g |
| MUFA 16:1 | 0.11 g |
| MUFA 16:1 c | 0.11 g |
| MUFA 18:1 | 27.3 g |
| MUFA 18:1 c | 27.3 g |
| MUFA 20:1 | 0.13 g |
| MUFA 22:1 | 0.00 g |
| Fatty acids, total polyunsaturated | 54.7 g |
| PUFA 18:2 | 53.5 g |
| PUFA 18:2 n-6 c,c | 53.2 g |
| PUFA 18:2 i | 0.29 g |
| PUFA 18:3 | 1.2 g |
| PUFA 18:3 n-3 c,c,c (ALA) | 1.2 g |
| PUFA 18:3i | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 18:4 | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 20:4 | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 20:5 n-3 (EPA) | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 22:5 n-3 (DPA) | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 22:6 n-3 (DHA) | 0.00 g |
| TFA 18:1 t | 0.00 g |
| Cholesterol | 0.00 mg |
| Stigmasterol | 56.0 mg |
| Campesterol | 189 mg |
| Beta-sitosterol | 621 mg |
| Tryptophan | 0.00 g |
| Threonine | 0.00 g |
| Isoleucine | 0.00 g |
| Leucine | 0.00 g |
| Lysine | 0.00 g |
| Methionine | 0.00 g |
| Cystine | 0.00 g |
| Phenylalanine | 0.00 g |
| Tyrosine | 0.00 g |
| Valine | 0.00 g |
| Arginine | 0.00 g |
| Histidine | 0.00 g |
| Alanine | 0.00 g |
| Aspartic acid | 0.00 g |
| Glutamic acid | 0.00 g |
| Glycine | 0.00 g |
| Proline | 0.00 g |
| Serine | 0.00 g |
| Alcohol, ethyl | 0.00 g |
| Caffeine | 0.00 mg |
| Theobromine | 0.00 mg |
FAQ
Is corn oil the same as vegetable oil?
Often, yes. In many countries, 'vegetable oil' on a label is primarily corn oil, sometimes blended with soybean or other oils. Always check the ingredient list for specifics.
Can I use corn oil for deep frying?
Absolutely. Its high smoke point and neutral flavor make it one of the most popular and stable choices for deep frying, helping achieve a crisp, non-greasy result.
How should I store corn oil?
Store it in a cool, dark place like a pantry. Once opened, it's best used within a few months to prevent rancidity. You can also refrigerate it to extend its shelf life.