Can you use Earth Balance instead of butter?

January 10, 2026 •

4 min read

Since its launch, Earth Balance has been a prominent dairy-free butter alternative, and many wonder if it's a direct substitute for traditional butter. The short answer is yes, you can use Earth Balance instead of butter, but understanding the nuances is key to achieving optimal results in various recipes, from delicate baked goods to simple sautéed dishes.

Quick Summary

This article explains how to successfully substitute Earth Balance for butter by examining differences in texture, flavor, and performance in cooking and baking applications.

Key Points

1:1 Ratio: Earth Balance can generally be substituted for butter at a 1:1 ratio in most recipes, but results may vary slightly.
Sticks vs. Tubs: Use Earth Balance buttery sticks for baking recipes that require solid fat, and use the tub spread for applications like spreading on toast.
Potential for Spreading: In baking, products made with Earth Balance may spread slightly more; chilling the dough can help prevent this.
Flavor Differences: Earth Balance offers a neutral, buttery taste, while traditional butter has a richer, more dairy-forward flavor that comes from caramelized milk solids.
Nutritional Benefits: As a plant-based spread, Earth Balance is cholesterol-free and lower in saturated fat than dairy butter, containing healthy monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats.
Frosting Stability: For vegan buttercream, Earth Balance sticks are recommended over the tub version for better stability and structure.

Understanding Earth Balance's Composition

Earth Balance is a plant-based spread made from a blend of vegetable oils, unlike traditional butter which is churned from milk or cream. This fundamental difference in composition is the primary factor influencing how the two products behave in various applications. Earth Balance's oil blend typically includes palm, canola, soybean, and flaxseed oils. The blend of vegetable oils is formulated to mimic the taste and texture of dairy butter, but its higher water content and distinct fat profile lead to different results, particularly in baking.

The product comes in two main forms: tubs and sticks. The tubs are softer and ideal for spreading, while the sticks are formulated with a higher percentage of solid fats to perform more like dairy butter in baking recipes. For any recipe that relies on the structure provided by solid butter, like flaky pie crusts or cookies, the sticks are the recommended choice.

How Earth Balance Performs in Baking

Substituting Earth Balance for butter in baking is generally successful, but requires some attention to detail. For many recipes, a simple 1:1 substitution works, but understanding the potential outcomes can help manage expectations and adjust techniques.

Cookies

When making cookies, Earth Balance can produce a good chewy texture, but some variations may spread more than those made with butter. To mitigate this, consider chilling your cookie dough for 15–20 minutes before baking. The firmness of the Earth Balance sticks, designed for baking, helps provide better structure compared to the softer tub variety.

Pie Crusts and Pastry

For flaky baked goods like pie crusts or puff pastry, Earth Balance buttery sticks are a reliable choice. The sticks can be handled and worked into the flour similarly to traditional butter. One notable difference is the final appearance; crusts made with Earth Balance may appear paler in color compared to their dairy butter counterparts, which brown more evenly.

Cakes and Muffins

In recipes for cakes and muffins, Earth Balance performs very well, creating a moist and tender crumb. If you are also using other vegan substitutes, such as an egg replacer, the overall texture may be impacted, but the Earth Balance itself is not usually the issue. The flavor profile is generally neutral, allowing other ingredients to shine.

Frosting

Vegan buttercream frosting can be made with Earth Balance, but the sticks yield a more stable consistency than the tubs, which can be too soft and lead to a runny frosting. It's recommended to whip the frosting well to achieve the desired fluffy texture, especially after chilling.

Using Earth Balance for Cooking and Spreading

Outside of baking, Earth Balance is a versatile and easy substitute for butter. Its soft texture straight from the refrigerator makes it perfect for spreading on toast, muffins, and bread rolls. It also works well for sautéing vegetables, serving as a flavorful base for various dinner dishes.

Nutritional Comparison: Earth Balance vs. Butter

When comparing the nutritional profiles of Earth Balance and dairy butter, there are some significant differences, mainly in the type of fats involved. As a plant-based product, Earth Balance contains no cholesterol and is generally lower in saturated fat than traditional butter. However, it is still a calorie-dense product, so moderation is key.


Feature	Earth Balance Buttery Sticks (Vegan)	Dairy Butter (Unsalted)
Saturated Fat	3.5g per tbsp	7g per tbsp
Total Fat	11g per tbsp	11.5g per tbsp
Cholesterol	0mg	30.5mg
Monounsaturated Fat	5g per tbsp	3g per tbsp
Polyunsaturated Fat	2.5g per tbsp	<0.5g per tbsp
Sodium	120mg (salted sticks)	2mg (unsalted)
Dairy	No (Vegan)	Yes

Tips for a Successful Swap

Match Product to Application: Use Earth Balance Buttery Sticks for recipes requiring solid, cold fat (e.g., pastries, cookies) and the tub spread for softer needs (e.g., spreading, sauces).
Chill Dough: If baking cookies with Earth Balance, chilling the dough for at least 15 minutes before baking will help minimize spreading.
Consider Salt Content: Be mindful of the sodium levels in Earth Balance sticks, especially if you are using a recipe that calls for unsalted butter. You may need to reduce the salt in your recipe accordingly.
Manage Texture Expectations: While Earth Balance mimics butter well, it can still have a slightly different texture, especially in baked goods. It is more prone to melting at room temperature than dairy butter.
Account for Flavor: The flavor of Earth Balance is generally neutral with a buttery essence, but it lacks the rich, caramelized notes of dairy butter. For dishes where the butter flavor is a key component, some adjustment may be needed.

Conclusion: Can you use Earth Balance instead of butter?

Yes, you can confidently use Earth Balance instead of butter for a wide range of cooking and baking needs, making it an excellent alternative for those on a vegan or dairy-free diet. The key to a successful substitution is to choose the correct product—the sticks for baking and the tub for spreading or sautéing. While some minor differences in texture and flavor may occur, especially in specific baking applications, Earth Balance generally performs reliably and produces delicious results. By following a few simple tips and understanding the product's characteristics, you can make the swap with ease. For a detailed comparison of baking results with vegan butters, you can explore the insights from a test kitchen.

Frequently Asked Questions

No, it is not recommended to use the sticks and tub interchangeably for all purposes. Earth Balance sticks have a higher fat content and are firmer, making them better for baking. The tub spread is softer and best for spreading on toast or melting over vegetables.

Earth Balance has a smooth, buttery flavor that is neutral compared to traditional dairy butter. It lacks the distinct, rich caramel notes that can be a hallmark of baked goods made with butter, which may affect the final flavor profile.

Earth Balance is often considered a healthier alternative because it contains no cholesterol and has less saturated fat than butter. However, both are calorie-dense, so moderate consumption is advisable.

For most recipes, a 1:1 substitution works fine. However, in sensitive recipes like cookies, you may need to chill the dough to prevent excessive spreading due to Earth Balance's softer nature. You might also need to reduce added salt if your recipe calls for unsalted butter.

Baked goods made with Earth Balance may not brown as deeply or evenly as those made with traditional butter, which contains milk solids that contribute to browning.

Earth Balance tubs are best for uses that require a soft, spreadable product, such as topping toast, muffins, and pancakes. They also work well for sautéing vegetables and melting into sauces.

Yes, you can. For the best and most stable results, use Earth Balance buttery sticks, which hold their structure better than the softer tub spread at room temperature.