Soy Oil vs Canola Oil: Comparison Guide for Restaurant Owners

As a restaurant owner or food service professional, choosing the right cooking oil can significantly impact both your food quality and bottom line. Two popular bulk oil options are soy oil (a.k.a. soybean oil) and canola oil. In this comprehensive guide, we'll compare these oils across multiple factors to help you make an informed decision for your establishment.

Soy vs. Canola: Cost-Effectiveness and Availability

When it comes to commercial kitchen operations, cost is a crucial factor. Both soy and canola oils are among the most economical options available in the market. 

According to recent industry data, canola is ranging between US $0.86 to US $1.24 per kilogram, with soybean oil’s price around US $0.88 per pound.

Soy vs. Canola: Smoke Point

The smoke point of cooking oil is critical for commercial kitchens, as it determines the oil's versatility in different cooking applications. Both canola and soybean oils have what are considered “high smoke points”.

• Canola Oil Smoke Point: 400-450°F (204-232°C)
• Soybean Oil Smoke Point: 450-495°F (232-257°C)

For commercial kitchen use, both soybean and canola are often recommended. Soybean oil has a slight edge for frying, due to its higher smoke point.

Soy vs. Canola: Nutritional Profile

Health considerations are increasingly important to consumers. Here's how these oils compare nutritionally per tablespoon:

The American Heart Association recommends both oils as heart-healthy options due to their low saturated fat content.

Soy vs. Canola: Flavour Profile and Culinary Applications

Understanding how these oils affect food taste is essential for menu planning, but at the end of the day, these are both generally neutral oils.

Canola oil is known for its light, neutral taste and won’t interfere with food flavours. Soybean oil’s flavour is also quite light, but slightly more pronounced and with a buttery finish.

Soy vs. Canola: Storage and Shelf Life

Proper storage affects both cost-effectiveness and food quality, so here’s what you need to know about how soybean oil is stored vs. how canola oil is stored.

How to Store Canola Oil?

Canola oil must be stored in a cool, dark place. Canola oil is stable, and easier to store since it’s less prone to oxidation.

What is the Shelf Life of Canola Oil?

The shelf life of unopened canola oil is 1-2 years.

How to Store Soybean Oil?

Soybean oil must be stored carefully, and is susceptible to oxidation. Similar to canola oil, it should be kept in a cool, dark place, and it needs to be in an airtight container. Upon exposure to air, soybean oil will slowly harden.

What is the Shelf Life of Soybean Oil?

The shelf life of unopened soybean oil is 8-12 months.

Making the Right Choice as a Food Manufacturer

Whether you are a restaurant owner or a food manufacturer, the choice between soy vs canola oil comes down to the specifics of your project.

Soy and canola perform similarly when it comes to flavour and smoke point, so you’ll want to consider other differing factors.

Here are a few factors to keep in mind for an easy choice:

• Clientele: Health-conscious consumers may prefer canola for its heart-health reputation. On the other hand, for consumers that are avoiding GMO, we recommend opting for Non-GMO variants, as both soybean and canola oil are typically made from GMO crops.

• Pricing: While both oils are similar in price, you’ll want to consider the local bulk pricing to see the specifics. You can request a quote from us today to get a detailed comparison for your needs.

• Shelf Life: It’s important to consider your bulk needs and storage capabilities, as canola oil has a longer shelf life and easier storage requirements compared to soybean oil.

Conclusion

Both soy and canola oils are excellent choices, so the devil is really in the details. 

For most applications, both soybean and canola oil would likely work well. It’s important to focus on the factors that matter most to your specific project and operations, such as price, storage, and consumer preferences.