Is coconut oil considered a vegetable oil?

While coconut oil is derived from coconut meat rather than from pressing seeds like most vegetable oils, it is technically classified as a vegetable oil. It is also known for being high in medium-chain fatty acids and lauric acid, which may offer significant health benefits. Despite its growing popularity, there is continuing debate over the overall health benefits and risks associated with consuming coconut oil. So, the next time you're wondering whether coconut oil is the right choice for you, the answer may depend on the type of vegetable oil you're comparing it to and your personal health goals.

Where is Coconut Oil in the Grocery Store? (The Ultimate Guide)

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Imagine this: You’ve invited everyone for dinner, and then while in the middle of your cooking spree, you run out of coconut oil!

If you’re the one going for the grocery run, you can easily look for it in different aisles.

But since you’re on cooking duty, you’ll have to pass this responsibility to your husband who hates it when he has to look for things inside the store.

That’s frustrating, right?

Lucky for you, we’re here to help you with your dilemma.

In this article, we’ll share with you which aisles you might most likely find this elusive ingredient.

So, where is coconut oil in the grocery store?

Short answer:

You’ll find coconut oil along with other types of oil in the Cooking oil section! But what if isn’t there? Well, there are a few other aisles your husband can look into.

If you want to know where these are, continue reading!

Table Of Contents

Where is Coconut Oil in Grocery Store?
Where To Buy Coconut Oil Near Me? (and What Brands Should I Buy?)
What Do I Need to Know Before Buying Coconut Oil?
What If There’s No Coconut Oil? What Is a Coconut Oil Substitute?
FAQS
The Bottom Line

image of find coconut oil in the Grocery Store

Where is Coconut Oil in Grocery Store?

Since it’s mostly used for cooking, you’ll likely find coconut oil in the cooking oil section of your local grocery.

If you can’t find it there, you may want to check out these other aisles:

Condiments Area

If the grocery store doesn’t have a dedicated cooking oil station, the next best aisle to check out would be the condiments section. You may find it displayed beside the soy sauce, vinegar, and other liquid condiments.

Organic or Health Food Section

Since it’s also considered a superfood, some stores opt to place it in the organic or health food section. (*)

Baking Goods Aisle

Because it’s also a common baking ingredient, you may want to check out the baking section too.

Supplement Area

If you’re getting your coconut oil from health food stores like GNC and Vitamin Shoppe, head to the supplements or brain health sections.

This type of store usually stocks this item alongside other brain health supplements like omega-3 fatty acids or fish oils.

Where To Buy Coconut Oil Near Me? (and What Brands Should I Buy?)

If you’re not sure which stores you can buy it in, we’ve also listed some of the common stores that sell it. Here they are:

Grocery Stores: Walmart, Safeway, Trader Joe’s, Target, Kroger, Publix, Sprouts Farmer Market, and Walgreens
Health Food Stores: GNC and Vitamin Shoppe
Organic Stores: The Fresh Market and Whole Foods

Can I buy coconut oil online?

Yes, you can order online. If you want to have the products delivered straight to your doorstep, you can order from these places:

Websites of Grocery Stores and Health Food Stores

Some stores now offer online delivery services. If you don’t want to step out of your house, you can order from the websites of the following stores:

Target,
Walmart,
The Vitamin Shoppe,
Target,
And GNC.

Amazon

This online marketplace offers the widest range of coconut oils ranging from organic, cold-pressed, refined, or unrefined options, and many more. Not only that, but they also offer skin and hair products with coconut oil.

What brands should I buy?

Here are some of the top brands that you may want to look into:

Garden of Life Organic Extra Virgin Olive Oil (Cold-pressed)
Good and Gather Coconut Oil (Refined)
Nutiva All-Purpose Oil (Best for Cooking)
Viva Naturals (Extra Virgin Olive Oil)n
465 by Whole Foods Market (Affordable)

What Do I Need to Know Before Buying Coconut Oil?

So how should you choose which brand to buy? You’ll have to consider the following factors to determine which one would best suit your needs:

Refined Vs. Unrefined

If you want to maximize the nutrients you can get from your coconut oil, make sure to buy ones that have the following labels:

Unrefined,
Extra virgin,
and Cold-pressed.

The products with these labels are extracted from the fruit without the use of chemicals, so the resulting item is one with nutrients and antioxidants that are still intact.

And as much as possible, shy away from ones that are labeled as deodorized or refined. These products have been bleached and deodorized so it no longer has a good amount of antioxidants.

Pro Tip: You should only go for the unrefined ones if you’ll use them for cooking since they have a higher smoking point.

Organic Vs. Non-organic

Organic products are preferred by many because these were extracted from fruits that have been grown without the use of pesticides. But if you’re on a budget, you’ll be happy to know that it’s okay to buy non-organic coconut oil since coconuts won’t contain pesticide residues that are enough to cause damage to your health.

Pro Tip: If you want to buy organic, make sure to look for the following labels:

USDA label,
Non-GMO seal of approval,
and Fair Trade certified label.

Packaging

Go for coconut oils that are packaged in a glass and avoid the ones that are in plastic bottles. This is because plastics tend to leach toxins into their contents over time.

Solid Vs. Liquid

It’s best to go for the solid ones because these are usually purer than the liquid ones.

The former also has a longer shelf life and is easier to store since you don’t have to refrigerate it.

What If There’s No Coconut Oil? What Is a Coconut Oil Substitute?

In the unfortunate event that you can’t find one in your local grocery stores or online stores, you can use the following alternatives instead:

Olive oil: If you’re using it for an all-purpose cooking alternative, extra virgin olive oil is the way to go. Since this has a mild flavor, you can substitute it as is.
Pumpkin seed oil: This substitute has a deep rich flavor and high antioxidant content, so it can deliver some of the nutrients you need.
Avocado oil: For high-heat cooking, this is your best option since it has a high smoke point.
Sesame oil: When substituting coconut oil with sesame oil, you need to remember that sesame has a stronger flavor. Because of this, it’s only recommended for cooking stir-fries and other Asian dishes.

Learn more: What Can You Substitute For Coconut Oil?

FAQS

Is coconut oil the same as extra virgin coconut oil?

If you’re someone who loves cooking with coconut oil, you’ve probably come across the terms “coconut oil” and “extra virgin coconut oil” before. But, what exactly is the difference between the two?

Well, the answer is not as straightforward as you may think. While both are derived from coconuts, the refining process for each are different.

Extra virgin coconut oil is made from the first cold-pressing of fresh, raw coconut, which yields a higher quality oil with a stronger aroma and flavor.

Regular coconut oil undergoes a refining process that often involves high heat and chemicals.

So, while they may seem interchangeable, there is definitely a difference between the two.

Is coconut oil considered a vegetable oil?

While coconut oil is derived from coconut meat rather than from pressing seeds like most vegetable oils, it is technically classified as a vegetable oil.

It is also known for being high in medium-chain fatty acids and lauric acid, which may offer significant health benefits.

Despite its growing popularity, there is continuing debate over the overall health benefits and risks associated with consuming coconut oil.

So, the next time you’re wondering whether coconut oil is the right choice for you, the answer may depend on the type of vegetable oil you’re comparing it to and your personal health goals.

Which is more healthy coconut oil or olive oil?

When it comes to cooking oils, two of the most popular options are coconut oil and olive oil. But which one is more beneficial for our health? Well, it depends on what you’re looking for.

Both oils contain healthy fats that can improve cholesterol levels and reduce inflammation in the body.

However, coconut oil is higher in saturated fat, which is associated with an increased risk of heart disease.

On the other hand, olive oil contains more monounsaturated fat, which is linked to a lower risk of heart disease and other chronic conditions.

So, while both oils have their benefits, it’s important to choose the right one based on your personal health needs and preferences.

The Bottom Line

Where is coconut oil in the grocery store? You can check out the following aisles:

Cooking Oil / Condiment Section,
Baking Aisles,
Organic or Health Food Area,
and Supplements Section.

To find the best brand for you, it’s best that you first determine what your needs are and then be sure to consider all the factors that we’ve shared, so you can find which one will give you the best value for your money.

Up Next: Discover the Best Place to Find MCT Oil in the Grocery Store!

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Where is Coconut Oil in the Grocery Store? (The Ultimate Guide)