Cooking Oils

Best Cooking Oils in the UK: Where to Buy, How to Choose, and Top Picks (Including Nordic Nest)

Why the right cooking oil matters

Have you ever wondered why some dishes taste brighter, crispier, or more balanced? A lot of it comes down to the oil you choose. Cooking oil isn't just a background player; it's a flavour carrier, a texture shaper, and a tiny chemistry lab in your pan. Whether you're frying, roasting, dressing a salad, or baking, the type of oil and its quality can change the outcome dramatically. This guide helps you navigate the crowded supermarket aisles and online catalogues in the UK so you can pick the best oil for your recipe and budget.

Stores to consider in the UK

If you're shopping for cooking oils in the UK, you have options: big supermarkets, discount chains, specialist retailers, and boutique homeware shops that sell elegant dispensing bottles. National supermarkets like Tesco, Sainsbury's, Asda, Morrisons, and Waitrose stock a wide range of everyday and premium oils. Discount stores such as Aldi and Lidl often have competitively priced staples. Online marketplaces like Amazon UK and Ocado provide convenience and wider selections, while health-food retailers like Holland & Barrett cater to organic and specialty oils.

Nordic Nest and boutique homeware options

Nordic Nest is one of those places you might not immediately associate with groceries, but they sell beautiful kitchen accessories that make oil use more enjoyable. For example, the Heirol Heirol Oil Bottle 25 Cl — roughly 8.5 fl oz — is a compact, stylish dispenser that fits neatly on the counter and helps you control pouring. Think of it as the kind of detail that turns a functional kitchen into a small, stylish studio where every tool feels right.

Types of cooking oil and when to use them

Not all oils are created equal. You’ll want to match the oil to the cooking method and the flavour profile you’re aiming for. Olive oil, especially extra virgin, brings fruity, peppery notes to salads and finishing dishes. Rapeseed oil (often labelled as canola or vegetable oil in the UK) is neutral and great for frying or baking. Sunflower and sunflower high-oleic variants are versatile and reasonably priced. For high-heat frying, oils with high smoke points like refined peanut oil or refined rapeseed oil are preferred. Coconut oil adds a tropical twist to baking and curries, while sesame oil is a finishing oil in many Asian dishes.

Smoke point matters — learn it like a cook learns a knife

Think of smoke point as the oil's comfort zone. Extra virgin olive oil has a lower smoke point than refined versions, so it’s not ideal for deep frying but fantastic for dressing salads and low-to-medium heat cooking. For searing steaks or deep frying, pick oils that can handle the heat without turning bitter or smoking — refined rapeseed, refined sunflower, peanut, or avocado oil are dependable choices. A quick rule: when the oil starts to shimmer and smell sharp, you’ve pushed past its comfort zone.

Where to buy premium and speciality oils

If you're after single-origin olive oils, cold-pressed sesame, or imported nut oils, specialist grocers and online retailers are your best bet. Waitrose and Ocado often stock premium Mediterranean olive oils, small-batch flavoured oils, and certified organic options. Independent delis and farmers' markets offer artisan choices and allow you to ask about harvest dates and extraction methods — critical details if flavour and freshness matter to you.

Health-food stores and organic offerings

Holland & Barrett and independent health-food stores usually provide organic, cold-pressed and often unrefined oils — great for salads and low-temperature uses. If you want oils with clear provenance and organic certification, these retailers are worth a browse. Keep in mind that unrefined oils can be pricier, but they often bring more complex flavours and, in some cases, more nutrients.

Budget buys: where to save without losing quality

Shopping smart doesn't mean you must always splurge. Aldi and Lidl regularly offer quality cooking oil at great prices, sometimes even from well-known brands. Supermarket own-label oils from Tesco, Sainsbury's, or Asda can be surprisingly good for everyday cooking. Look for sales, multi-buy deals, and larger bottles measured in quarts or gallons if you cook in big batches — buying in bulk can cut the per-use cost.

How bottle size affects price and freshness

Bigger bottles like 1 quart (about 33.8 fl oz) or 1 gallon sizes save money but can lose freshness if left unrefrigerated for months after opening. For oils used daily, a larger bottle makes sense. For specialty oils with delicate flavours — think extra virgin olive or walnut oil — smaller bottles like 8.5 fl oz (the size of the Heirol bottle) keep oils tasting fresher since you’ll use them up faster.

Packaging, storage, and preserving flavour

Packaging plays a silent but important role in oil quality. Dark glass bottles protect oils from light, slowing oxidation and preserving flavour. Metallic tins are common for olive oil and are excellent for long-term storage. Plastic bottles might be economical but can let in small amounts of oxygen and light over time. Store your oils in a cool, dark cupboard, away from the hob. Think of it like storing wine — treat delicate oils with similar respect and you’ll taste the difference.

How long do oils stay good?

A typical unopened bottle of extra virgin olive oil can last up to a year if kept in the right conditions; once opened, aim to use it within a few months for peak flavour. Refined oils last longer and are more stable, so they’re better for less frequent cooks or bulk storage. If you notice a rancid or paint-like smell, that oil has gone off — time to replace it.

Practical cooking tips and pairings

Want better roast potatoes or crisper sautéed veggies? Use an oil with a higher smoke point and a neutral flavour. For salad dressings, emulsify extra virgin olive oil with vinegar or lemon juice to create depth. Toasted sesame oil isn't for frying — it’s a finishing stroke that adds a nutty whisper to noodle dishes. And don’t be afraid to blend oils: a neutral oil with a splash of extra virgin olive oil gives you both the cooking stability and the finishing flavour you want.

Using oil dispensers like the Heirol bottle

An oil dispenser such as the Heirol Heirol Oil Bottle 25 Cl (around 8.5 fl oz) is more than a pretty object — it helps control pouring, reduce spills, and maintain hygiene. A steady drizzle is perfect for drizzling over salads or finishing grilled veg. The smaller size also encourages you to refresh the oil regularly so the flavours stay vibrant. It’s a tiny habit that can upgrade everyday cooking.

Eco and ethical considerations

Nowadays many cooks care where their oil comes from. Look for certifications like organic, Fairtrade, and PDO (Protected Designation of Origin) when buying olive oil and other specialty oils. Rapeseed oil grown in the UK often has a smaller carbon footprint compared to imported oils and is a sensible choice if sustainability is a priority. Many brands offer transparent sourcing and production methods — a little research goes a long way toward ethical shopping.

Oils that suit special diets

Cooking for specific diets? Olive oil and rapeseed oil are vegan-friendly and common in low-carb cooking. Coconut oil is popular in paleo and keto kitchens due to its medium-chain triglycerides. If you have nut allergies, avoid walnut and peanut oils unless they’re clearly labelled and processed in allergen-free facilities. Always check labels and, when in doubt, consult product pages on retailer sites for more detail.

Top picks for different needs

Here’s a quick shopping list depending on what you cook most: for everyday frying and baking, grab a refined rapeseed or sunflower oil from Tesco, Asda, or Aldi; for salads and finishing, choose extra virgin olive oil from Waitrose or Ocado; for high-heat searing, select a refined oil with a high smoke point such as refined peanut or avocado oil; for Asian-inspired flavours, use sesame oil sparingly as a finisher; and for bakery and tropical recipes, consider organic coconut oil from health-food stores.

Where Nordic Nest fits in

Nordic Nest won’t necessarily be your first stop for bulk edible oils, but if you want to elevate how you store and use oil, their kitchenware — like the compact Heirol oil bottle — is a stylish and practical addition. It’s a reminder that cooking well is both about ingredients and the tools that let you wield them confidently.

Final shopping checklist

Before you click “add to basket” or head to the store, ask yourself four quick questions: What am I cooking? What smoke point do I need? How often will I use this oil? And how much do I want to spend? Answering these will steer you toward the right oil and the right retailer. Balance quality and quantity, and think of oils as pantry essentials that deserve a little thought — the payoff shows up in every bite.

Conclusion

Choosing the right cooking oil in the UK is part knowledge, part experimentation, and part shopping strategy. From supermarket basics at Tesco and Sainsbury's to premium bottles at Waitrose and Ocado, and beautiful dispensers from Nordic Nest like the Heirol Heirol Oil Bottle 25 Cl (about 8.5 fl oz), you can equip your kitchen to produce better meals with little effort. Match the oil to your cooking method, respect smoke points, store your oils smartly, and don’t be afraid to try new varieties. A small change in oil can be like switching from a pencil to a fountain pen — your dishes will write more colour onto the plate.