These two opposites – avocado oil and beef tallow – each have their own unique personalities in the kitchen. This buttery liquid green oil and that rich, savory beefiness in solid form can both take your dishes to the next level in more ways than one. Ready to find out how? Read on!
Comparing avocado oil vs beef tallow
| Avocado oil | Beef tallow | |
| Solid or liquid? | Liquid | Solid |
| Smoke point (Fahrenheit) | 520 degrees | 400 degrees |
| Primary fat | Monounsaturated | Saturated |
| Taste | Buttery | Beefy |
| Good for cooking… | Raw, low heat, medium heat, high heat | Raw, low heat, medium heat |
| Common allergens | Avocado, birch pollen, latex (!) | Mammalian meat allergy (MMA) |
| Gluten-free? | Yes | Yes |
| Keto? | Yes | Yes |
| Paleo? | Yes | Yes |
| Vegan? | Yes | No |
Differences between avocado oil and beef tallow
Avocado oil and beef tallow are like night and day – one is a silky green oil from avocado flesh with a mild, buttery flavor, and the other is a hearty, solid fat that comes from beef. With such different flavors and textures, it’s clear they’re meant for very different uses in the kitchen. They also differ in their smoke points, where avocado oil has the highest smoke point out of all oils, while beef tallow has a more moderate smoke point.
While avocado oil and beef tallow are gluten-free, keto-friendly, and paleo-friendly, only avocado oil is vegan-friendly. Beef tallow won’t be suitable for those with mammalian meat allergies, and avocado oil won’t work for those with an avocado or birch pollen allergy – or a latex allergy! The proteins that cause latex allergies can actually be present in avocados.
Baking and cooking with avocado oil vs beef tallow
Avocado oil is a fantastic all-around cooking oil for all sorts of cooking and has the bonus of being one of the healthiest cooking oils out there! Whether you’re sautéing, roasting, grilling, deep frying, baking, or using it raw in salad dressings and marinades, avocado oil’s extremely high smoke point allows it to remain stable at high temperatures. Its subtle flavor won’t disrupt the flavors of the ingredients in your dish, and it’ll pair exceptionally well with veggies, fresh herbs, dried fruits, and delicate fish. In baking, you can employ its neutral taste and ability to lock in moisture to give your baked goods a tender crumb and delicious texture.
Beef tallow has a slightly lower smoke point than avocado oil, but it’s a perfect fit if you’re looking to make a hearty, savory meal that requires frying or roasting. It can turn fried chicken into an extra crispy delight and add a depth of flavor to roasted vegetables, potatoes, and meat. As it is so beefy and savory, you’ll want to reserve it for non-sweet applications. That means it won’t be suitable for much baking unless you’re making savory pies or pastries, for instance.
Can avocado oil and beef tallow be substituted for each other?
Avocado oil and beef tallow are culinary polar opportunities, making it quite impossible to directly substitute for each other in most recipes. Avocado oil is a liquid with a mild flavor that works with both savory and sweet dishes, while beef tallow adds a distinct savory, meaty taste to dishes. If you’re making french fries, for example, avocado oil can sub in thanks to its high smoke point and neutral flavor. But if you require the texture and flavor of beef tallow, avocado oil won’t be able to provide that.
If you’re looking for a substitute for avocado oil, macadamia oil can offer a similar buttery quality and texture. However, if you’re looking for something with a higher smoke point, refined vegetable oil would be a better choice. To sub in for beef tallow, lard will be able to mimic its texture, but its flavor won’t be as savory or robust.
Nutrition: Avocado oil vs beef tallow
Avocado oil is a powerful source of good monounsaturated fats, which can help reduce bad cholesterol and support heart health. It’s also rich in vitamin E, oleic acid, and other antioxidant-rich nutrients that can improve skin, heart, and hair health. It’s also known for its perfect omega-6 to omega-3 ratio, which is ideal for better health overall.
Meanwhile, beef tallow is known to be high in saturated fats and cholesterol, which are linked to poor health outcomes if consumed in excess. However, it does also contain a substantial amount of monounsaturated fats. Although it isn’t heavily associated with being healthy, beef tallow offers fat-soluble nutrients like vitamins A, D, E, and B12.
As all cooking oils and fats are high in calories and fats, always use them in moderation.
| Per tablespoon (15mL) | Avocado oil | Beef tallow |
| Calories | 124 | 115 |
| Polyunsaturated | 1.9 g | 0.5 g |
| Monounsaturated | 9.9 g | 5.4 g |
| Saturated | 1.6 g | 6.4 g |
| Trans | 0 g | 0 g |
| Total fat | 14 g | 12.8 g |
| Cholesterol | 0 | 14 mg |
The primary fat source is bolded.
How to store avocado oil and beef tallow
Beef tallow should be stored in an airtight container either in the pantry, fridge, or freezer. Its shelf life won’t change whether it’s sealed or open, lasting 1 year in the pantry, 12 – 18 months in the refrigerator, and 2+ years in the freezer.
Avocado oil should ideally be stored in a dark-colored, airtight glass container in the pantry or fridge. Unopened avocado oil will last 1 – 2 years regardless of where it’s stored, while refined and unrefined varieties will stay fresh for different lengths of time. Unrefined avocado oil has a very short shelf life of 4 – 6 months in the pantry and 6 – 9 months in the fridge, while refined versions will last 9 – 12 months.
Avocado oil vs beef tallow: Which is better?
Avocado oil is the clear winner if you’re looking for a versatile, heart-healthy option with a mild, buttery flavor. It’s an all-around kitchen MVP that can be used as a salad dressing base or as a frying oil, and anything else in between. Beef tallow is more suited to specific applications that will benefit from the beefy and savory flavor, especially when you want to add richness.
FAQ
Avocado oil is often considered a healthier and better all-around choice for general cooking. With its mild, subtle flavor and high smoke point, it can be used in any cooking application and won’t alter the texture or flavor of your dish.
Beef tallow is high in saturated fat, which has been linked to certain health concerns when consumed in excess. However, it’s also rich in monounsaturated fats and some fat-soluble vitamins, which are important for general health. On the other hand, oils like olive oil or avocado oil are often considered healthier because of their heart-healthy compounds and nutrients and lack of cholesterol and saturated fat.
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