As far as cooking with booze goes, wine has carried the torch for forever. Vodka and bourbon have also famously settled into kitchen cabinets with ease. Tequila, however, also deserves some love as more than a mere bar staple. Whether tequila makes a decent alternative when you’re out of vegetable oil is a question that, for whatever reason, has arisen. Can you use tequila as cooking oil?

The answer is that using tequila as a cooking oil is kind of like using an apple as a can opener. You can try it, but the tool is simply not suited to the purpose. Here are some reasons why: oil as it is used for cooking, does some very specific tasks. It acts as a heat conduit, distributing high temperatures evenly to cook food. It also provides a source of fat, distributes and imparts flavor, lubricates, helps retain moisture, and keeps foods from sticking. Tequila can also impart flavor, but it does not do enough of what oil does to be considered a perfect replacement. The good news, however, is that tequila can accomplish many other things in the kitchen.

Reasons to Cook with Tequila

Every drop of tequila on the planet began with a steamed, crushed, and fermented agave heart. And it is the blue agave, native to several specific regions in Mexico, that gives tequila that subtle sweetness that can come through so nicely when used as a recipe ingredient. Tequila can be used to deglaze a pan, and like any alcohol, when added to heat, the alcohol evaporates fairly quickly. What’s left behind is a flavor profile that, depending on the aging process of the tequila being used, is described as herbaceous, vegetal, peppery, smoky, and/or sweet.

It is a popular ingredient in vinaigrettes, ceviches, and sauces and marinades. Its various flavors and varieties make tequila an ideal and versatile friend of chefs everywhere. It is known to enhance the depth and character of foods. When used properly, tequila can also help to tenderize, thicken, or caramelize depending on your specific needs.

Best Tequilas for Cooking

The short answer is that any tequila can be used in dishes. Blanco tequila is smooth and bright, and therefore works well with citrus-based dishes and those that call for infused fresh fruits such as watermelon salads. Complex vegetable dishes or simple ones like salsa or guacamole are also a good match for blanco tequila, as are ceviches and chicken dishes. Reposado tequila lends a finish that can be described as woody and smoky, with hints of vanilla and caramel. Reposados are great with lean meat dishes and sauces.

Tequila-Lime Dressing

A tequila lime dressing is an easy dish that anyone can make, and it’s not just for salads. It also makes a versatile marinade for meats, fish, and vegetables.

Ingredients:

• 2 Tbsp tequila
• 3-4 Tbsp lime juice
• 1 Tbsp honey
• 1/4 cup olive oil
• 1/2 bunch of cilantro leaves, washed and ends trimmed
• Salt
• Pepper

Directions:

Combine lime juice, honey, and tequila in a blender. Add cilantro and pulse until smooth. Slowly pour in olive oil while blending on the lowest setting. Add salt and pepper to taste.