What is the correct (or best) oil to use for fondue?
Meat – Best oil for fondue usage
fondueoilraw-meat
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Best Answer
Assuming this is a meat fondue (AKA fondue bourguignonne), using oil instead of cheese:
There is no best or correct oil to use - each type of oil has its own characteristic flavour. However, a meat fondue generally involves heating the oil to 350-400° F (175-200° C), so you'll want to treat this more or less like deep-frying and use an oil with a relatively high smoke point.
That means, no unrefined olive oil, sesame oil or walnut oil, and be extra careful if you want to use butter (clarify it first). Canola, sunflower, peanut, grapeseed, etc. are all good choices, or any of the refined versions of olive/sesame/walnut with higher smoke points.
Personally I'd either use refined olive oil or a flavour-neutral oil like peanut or sunflower. Most of the time you don't want to be imparting any "foreign" flavours to meat, although I suppose you could go with refined sesame oil for a moderate Asian twist.