The Complete Guide to Using Multiple Cooking Oils in Indian Cuisine

For generations, Indian kitchens followed an unspoken rule different dishes needed different oils. This wasn’t driven by trends or nutrition labels, but by experience, flavour, and balance. Over time, convenience introduced the idea of using one oil for everything. While it simplified shopping, it quietly took away something essential from everyday cooking.

The problem with using one oil for all cooking

Every oil has a unique composition. Some handle heat better, some carry flavours beautifully, and others support lighter preparations. When one oil is used across all dishes, it often works adequately but never optimally. Cooking becomes repetitive. Food absorbs oil unevenly. And the natural harmony of Indian meals starts to fade.

Why oil rotation brings balance back?

Using more than one oil isn’t complicated, it’s intentional.

Oil rotation helps:

• Match the oil to the cooking temperature
• Preserve the natural taste of ingredients
• Avoid overdependence on a single fat and nutrients source
• Keep meals lighter and easier to digest

This approach has always been part of Indian culinary wisdom.

Choosing the right oil for the right dish

Groundnut Oil – A dependable choice for everyday Indian cooking. Its mild flavour and heat stability make it ideal for sautéing, shallow frying, and regular meals.

Mustard Oil – Bold and distinctive, mustard oil is best suited for high-heat cooking, tempering, and robust regional dishes.

Coconut Oil – Ideal for slow cooking and coastal cuisines. Naturally stable and deeply flavourful when used thoughtfully.

Sunflower Oil – Light and neutral, sunflower oil works well for dishes where you want the flavours of spices and ingredients to shine, especially in light sautéing and everyday cooking.

When oils are used where they perform best, food tastes better, and cooks better.

Tradition, adapted for modern kitchens

Oil rotation isn’t about adding complexity or chasing wellness trends. It’s about returning to a thoughtful way of cooking, one that respects ingredients, methods, and the body. With pure oils from Lyveo, adopting oil rotation becomes effortless. Each oil stays true to its natural character, just as it was meant to.

A smarter way to cook, every day

The goal isn’t to use more oil, it’s to use oil more wisely. When your kitchen has more than one oil, every dish gets what it truly needs. Because good cooking has always been about balance.