Flaxseed Oil vs Mustard Oil

Flaxseed oil and mustard oil rarely compete for the same job in a kitchen. Mustard oil is a genuine cooking oil that handles real heat. Flaxseed oil is strictly a raw, finishing one.

What actually differs

Mustard oil can be heated for cooking and tempering. Flaxseed oil cannot, its fat content breaks down under heat.
Flavour differs sharply too, mustard oil is pungent and assertive, flaxseed oil is grassy and nutty in a much quieter way.
Mustard oil is used across an entire dish's cooking process. Flaxseed oil is added in small amounts, always after cooking is done.
Both are valued oils in their own category, so the comparison is really about role rather than one being generally better.
Storage needs differ too, mustard oil tolerates a pantry shelf, while flaxseed oil generally does better refrigerated once opened.

Picked this week

Both oils

Khutmili Farm I · Khutmili

Linseed/Flax Seed Oil

$2.85 · 1 KG

Sajerah Farm I · Sajerah

Yellow Mustard Oil

$2.75 · 1 KG

Our standards

Flaxseed vs mustard oil questions

Can I use flaxseed oil where a recipe calls for mustard oil?: No, mustard oil is used for cooking with heat, which flaxseed oil cannot handle without breaking down.
Do they taste similar?: No, mustard oil is pungent and sharp, flaxseed oil is milder and grassy. They serve very different flavour roles.
Can both be used in the same dish?: Yes, mustard oil for cooking and a small drizzle of flaxseed oil added at the end are not mutually exclusive.
Which has a stronger smell?: Mustard oil, noticeably, especially the cold-pressed unrefined kind, which is far more pungent than flaxseed oil.

Comments

Loading comments…