Cooking Oils & Vinegars Guide UK: Olive Oil, Frying Oils, Balsamic & More
Compare cooking oils and vinegars for frying, roasting, marinades, salad dressings, pizza, pasta and professional foodservice. Explore olive oil, vegetable oil, infused oils, balsamic vinegar, wine vinegar, apple cider vinegar and specialist cooking varieties.
Choose oil and vinegar according to how you cook
Cooking oils and vinegars do different jobs. Some oils are selected for everyday cooking, while others are better suited to dressings, marinades or finishing. Vinegars also vary in acidity, sweetness and flavour, so the best choice depends on the dish.
Olive Oil
Explore extra virgin, standard and pomace-style olive oils for dressings, cooking, marinades and professional kitchens.
Shop Olive OilCooking & Frying Oils
Browse vegetable oils, specialist frying oils and other practical cooking formats for everyday and high-volume use.
Shop Cooking OilVinegar
Explore balsamic, white wine, red wine, apple cider and other vinegars for dressings, marinades and cooking.
Shop VinegarInfused & Specialist Oils
Add flavour with garlic, chilli, truffle and other infused or specialist oils for finishing and creative cooking.
Browse Cooking IngredientsCooking oils & vinegars buying guide
Use the sections below to choose the right oil or vinegar for the job.
Olive oil & extra virgin olive oil Vegetable & frying oils Infused & flavoured oils Balsamic vinegar Red & white wine vinegar Apple cider vinegar Rice & speciality vinegars Which oil or vinegar should you use? Oils & vinegars for catering Storage & product guidance FAQsOlive oil for cooking, dressings & finishing
Olive oil is one of the most versatile oils to keep in a kitchen. It can be used in dressings, marinades and cooked dishes, while more flavour-led oils can also be used to finish food.
Nicol Retailer’s current range includes extra virgin olive oils, larger professional formats and olive pomace oil products.
The flavour and intended use can vary considerably, so check the individual product information when choosing between extra virgin, blended or pomace-style oils.
- Salad dressings
- Marinades
- Pasta
- Pizza
- Roasted vegetables
- Dips
- Mediterranean dishes
- Professional kitchens
Vegetable oil & oils for frying
A neutral cooking oil can be useful when you want the ingredients themselves to provide most of the flavour.
Nicol Retailer carries vegetable oils and specialist long-life frying products within its Cooking Oil range. These include household formats and larger professional containers.
Different oils have different manufacturer recommendations, so do not assume every cooking oil is equally suitable for every temperature or cooking method.
For frying: check the individual product specification and follow the manufacturer’s guidance for heating and intended use.
Infused oils for quick flavour
Infused oils combine oil with additional flavour ingredients and can provide a convenient way to finish or season a dish.
Nicol Retailer’s wider range includes products such as garlic and chilli oil and black truffle-infused rapeseed oil.
These products can be useful for pasta, pizza, roasted vegetables, salads and finished dishes, but intended use varies by product.
- Garlic
- Chilli
- Garlic & chilli
- Truffle
- Herb-infused oils
- Speciality finishing oils
Balsamic vinegar & balsamic glaze
Balsamic vinegar can bring sweetness, acidity and depth to dressings, marinades, vegetables and finished dishes.
Nicol Retailer’s Vinegar range includes Balsamic Vinegar of Modena in different formats, alongside balsamic glaze products.
A balsamic glaze is generally more concentrated and syrup-like than a standard balsamic vinegar, so the two should not automatically be treated as interchangeable.
Useful with: salads, tomatoes, roasted vegetables, cheese, marinades and finished Mediterranean-style dishes.
Red wine & white wine vinegar
Wine vinegars provide acidity without the same flavour profile as balsamic vinegar.
White wine vinegar can work well in lighter dressings, marinades and pickling, while red wine vinegar can suit more robust salads, sauces and Mediterranean-style dishes.
Nicol Retailer currently carries both red and white wine vinegar, including larger professional formats.
- Vinaigrettes
- Marinades
- Pickling
- Potato salads
- Vegetable dishes
- Sauces
- Professional preparation
Apple cider vinegar
Apple cider vinegar has a distinctive fruit-led acidity that can work in dressings, marinades, chutneys and selected cooked dishes.
Nicol Retailer’s current Vinegar range includes apple cider vinegar in larger-format packaging alongside other vinegar styles.
Choose it primarily for flavour and recipe requirements rather than assuming it is interchangeable with every other vinegar.
Rice vinegar & specialist Asian vinegars
Speciality vinegars can add a very different flavour profile from European wine or balsamic vinegars.
Nicol Retailer’s wider Cooking Ingredients range includes rice vinegar and Japanese-style vinegars, including products designed for sushi rice and other Asian dishes.
Some speciality products also include additional seasoning or flavour ingredients, so check the label and product description before deciding how to use them.
- Sushi rice
- Noodle dishes
- Asian dressings
- Marinades
- Dipping sauces
- Vegetables
- Japanese-inspired recipes
Which cooking oil or vinegar should you choose?
The easiest way to choose is to start with the cooking task.
- Everyday frying: look for an oil specifically suitable for the intended cooking method.
- Salad dressing: extra virgin olive oil can pair with balsamic, wine or speciality vinegar.
- Roasted vegetables: use an appropriate cooking oil, then add a more flavourful oil after cooking if desired.
- Marinades: combine suitable oil with vinegar, seasoning and other flavour ingredients.
- Pizza and pasta: olive or infused oils can add richness and flavour.
- Pickling: choose vinegar according to the recipe and required acidity.
- Asian-inspired dishes: rice or speciality Japanese vinegars may provide a more appropriate flavour profile.
Cooking oils & vinegars for catering
Restaurants, cafés and other professional kitchens may need larger pack sizes than typical households.
Nicol Retailer carries large-format cooking oils, olive oils and vinegars, including 5-litre and other foodservice-oriented packs.
When purchasing for professional use, consider expected consumption, storage space, cooking method and the product’s specific handling instructions.
- Frying
- Roasting
- Salad preparation
- Marinades
- Pizza & pasta
- Pickling
- Buffets
- Restaurant service
Storage, ingredients & product information
Storage requirements differ between oils, vinegars and flavoured products. Follow the storage instructions on the individual product packaging.
Some infused or blended products may contain additional ingredients, flavourings or allergens, so always check the current ingredient and allergen information.
Important: do not assume that two products with similar names have identical ingredients, storage requirements or cooking properties. Check the specific product.
Explore more cooking ingredients
Cooking oils and vinegars are only part of a well-stocked pantry.
For stocks, noodles, seasonings, specialist flavourings and other pantry products, visit the main Cooking Ingredients Online UK pillar.
For dressings, table sauces and other condiments, visit Sauces & Condiments Online UK .
Continue your ingredient shop
Use the main Cooking Ingredients pillar and related ranges to build the rest of your pantry and meal.
Cooking Ingredients Online UK
Explore stocks, seasonings, oils, noodles and specialist ingredients.
Explore Cooking IngredientsCooking Oil
Browse vegetable, frying and speciality oils.
Shop Cooking OilOlive Oil
Explore olive oils for cooking, dressings and professional kitchens.
Shop Olive OilVinegar
Browse balsamic, wine, apple cider and speciality vinegars.
Shop VinegarFresh Fruit & Vegetables
Pair oils and vinegars with fresh salad ingredients, vegetables and herbs.
Explore Fresh ProduceCatering & Bulk Food
Find larger professional formats for commercial kitchens.
Explore Catering & BulkCooking oils & vinegars FAQs
Where can I buy cooking oil online in the UK?
Browse Nicol Retailer’s Cooking Oil category for the current range.
Does Nicol Retailer sell olive oil?
Yes. Use the dedicated Olive Oil category for current olive-oil products.
What types of vinegar does Nicol Retailer sell?
The current range includes balsamic, white wine, red wine, apple cider and other speciality vinegars.
Can I buy cooking oil in catering sizes?
Yes. Nicol Retailer carries larger oil formats, including professional and foodservice-sized containers. Current availability varies by product.
What is the difference between balsamic vinegar and balsamic glaze?
Balsamic vinegar is a vinegar product, while balsamic glaze is typically thicker and more concentrated. Check the individual product for exact ingredients and intended use.
Can I use infused oil for cooking?
That depends on the product. Some infused oils may be suitable for cooking, while others are better for finishing or dressings. Follow the individual product guidance.
Does Nicol Retailer sell rice vinegar?
Yes. Rice and other specialist Asian vinegars appear within the wider Cooking Ingredients range.
Where can I find more pantry ingredients?
Visit Cooking Ingredients Online UK for stocks, seasonings, noodles and other pantry products.