Nutrition Diet: A Guide to Finding Which Brands of Butter Are Kosher

November 9, 2025 •

4 min read

According to the Orthodox Union (OU), one of the largest kosher certifiers, butter is a deceptively complex product that requires certification, as it is not automatically kosher. For those following specific dietary laws, knowing which brands of butter are kosher? is essential to ensure compliance with a kosher diet and maintain nutritional standards.

Quick Summary

This article explains the principles of kosher certification for dairy, detailing the key symbols to look for on packaging. It provides a list of brands commonly certified kosher and highlights factors in butter production that affect its kosher status, from ingredient sourcing to equipment handling.

Key Points

Look for a Certification Symbol: Always check the packaging for a reliable kosher certification symbol, such as OU-D, OK-D, KOF-K Dairy, or Star-D, to confirm the butter's status.
Verify Brand and Variant: While many brands like Breakstone's and Land O'Lakes offer kosher butter, always confirm the specific variant you are buying, as not all products from a single brand are necessarily kosher.
Understand Production Factors: The kosher status of butter is influenced by the source animal, the kosher status of any added ingredients (like flavorings or cultures), and the equipment used during manufacturing.
Beware of Whey Cream: Some butter uses whey cream, a byproduct of cheese. If the cheese was not kosher, the whey cream butter is also not kosher.
Cross-Contamination is Key: Butter processed on equipment that has also handled non-kosher items is not kosher. Reputable agencies verify the cleanliness and history of all production lines.
Popular Kosher Brands: Certified brands readily available include Breakstone's, Land O'Lakes, Cabot, Organic Valley, and sometimes Earth Balance for vegan alternatives.
Specialty Kosher Brands: In addition to major brands, dedicated kosher brands like Mehadrin and Makabi also offer certified butter products.

Understanding Kosher Butter

For a butter product to be considered kosher, it must adhere to strict Jewish dietary laws, known as kashrut. This goes beyond just the ingredients; it also involves the animals from which the milk is sourced and the equipment used in production. A butter product is certified kosher only after a rigorous inspection process conducted by a recognized kosher certification agency. This process ensures the butter is made from the milk of a kosher animal, contains no non-kosher additives, and is manufactured on equipment that has not been used for non-kosher products.

The Role of Certification Agencies

Kosher certification is handled by a wide array of agencies globally. In the United States, several are particularly prominent, including the Orthodox Union (OU), OK Kosher Certification, KOF-K, Star-K, and Chicago Rabbinical Council (cRc). These agencies employ rabbinic coordinators and field representatives to inspect production facilities and ensure all aspects of the process are compliant. The presence of a certification symbol, or hechsher, on the packaging is the consumer's assurance that the product is kosher.

Key Kosher Symbols to Look For

When shopping for butter, a key step is to identify the certification symbol. The symbols below are commonly used by major agencies:

OU-D: The OU symbol followed by a 'D' indicates the product is a kosher dairy item, containing dairy ingredients or derivatives.
OK-D: Similar to the OU-D, this symbol signifies that the butter is a kosher dairy product.
KOF-K Dairy: The Kof-K symbol also indicates dairy status.
Star-D: This denotes a kosher dairy product certified by the Star-K agency.
DE (Dairy Equipment): Some symbols may include 'DE' or 'D.E.'. This indicates the product was made on equipment also used for dairy products, but does not contain actual dairy ingredients. For butter, this is less common but important for other products.

List of Common Kosher Butter Brands

Many popular butter brands and supermarket labels offer kosher-certified butter. It is crucial to always check for the hechsher on the specific package you are purchasing, as not all products from a single brand may carry the same certification.

Breakstone's Butter: This is a widely available brand offering salted, unsalted, and whipped butter with kosher certification. The brand's website specifically mentions its kosher credentials.
Land O'Lakes Butter: Available in many stores, Land O'Lakes butter often features an OU-D symbol, certifying it as kosher dairy.
Cabot Butter: Known for its quality dairy products, Cabot's sweet cream butter varieties frequently carry a reliable kosher certification.
Organic Valley: This organic dairy producer offers certified kosher butter options, identifiable by the certification mark on the packaging.
Earth Balance: For those seeking a kosher buttery spread (often parve), Earth Balance offers several certified vegan, non-dairy options.
Mehadrin Butter: This brand is more common in specialized kosher markets and is certified kosher.
Makabi Butter: Another brand frequently found in kosher stores, offering high-quality French-style kosher butter.
Horizon Organic Butter: This brand also offers certified kosher butter varieties.

Why Some Butter is Not Kosher

It's a common misconception that all butter is inherently kosher, since it's a simple dairy product. However, several factors can render it non-kosher:

Non-Kosher Ingredients: Some butter varieties might contain flavorings or colorings that are not kosher. Certain cultures used in making cultured butter, popular in Europe, also require kosher certification.
Whey Cream: Some butter is made with whey cream, a byproduct of cheese production. If the cheese from which the whey is derived is not kosher (e.g., uses animal-based rennet), the resulting whey cream butter is not kosher.
Cross-Contamination: The most common issue is the use of non-kosher equipment. If butter is processed on the same machinery that also handles non-kosher ingredients, the butter will not be certified. This is a critical point for certification agencies.

Kosher vs. Non-Kosher Butter Production Factors


Factor	Kosher Butter	Non-Kosher Butter
Source Animal	Must come from a kosher animal, such as a cow or goat.	Can come from non-kosher animals, though this is rare for cow's milk butter.
Ingredients	All added ingredients (salt, cultures, flavorings) must be kosher.	Can contain non-kosher additives, flavorings, or enzymes.
Equipment	Processed on dedicated kosher equipment or equipment properly kashered.	Can be produced on equipment that processes both kosher and non-kosher items.
Whey Cream	Must be sourced from kosher-certified cheese production.	May use whey cream from non-kosher sources, rendering the butter non-kosher.
Labeling	Clearly marked with a reliable kosher certification symbol (hechsher).	Does not carry a kosher certification symbol.

Conclusion

While butter may seem like a simple product, the journey from cream to the final block can involve complexities that affect its kosher status. For consumers who observe kosher dietary laws, relying on a trusted certification symbol from an accredited agency is the only reliable way to ensure a product's compliance. Fortunately, many widely available and specialty brands, such as Breakstone's, Land O'Lakes, and Cabot, offer kosher-certified options. Always remember to check the specific packaging for the hechsher, as certification can vary even within a single brand's product line. Making an informed choice guarantees that your culinary traditions and dietary standards are met.

OU Kosher Guide

Frequently Asked Questions

No, butter is not inherently kosher. While it's a simple dairy product, its kosher status depends on several factors, including the source of the milk, the use of kosher ingredients (like flavorings), and being processed on dedicated kosher equipment to prevent cross-contamination.

An 'OU-D' symbol means the product is a kosher dairy item, containing milk or milk derivatives. An 'OU-DE' symbol indicates the product was made on dairy equipment but does not contain actual dairy ingredients, making it pareve (neutral) in composition.

If butter is made with whey cream, a byproduct of cheese, its kosher status depends on the cheese's certification. If the cheese is not kosher (e.g., uses animal rennet), the whey cream and resulting butter are not kosher.

Yes, many vegan and non-dairy buttery spreads, such as those from Earth Balance, are certified kosher and often parve (neutral), meaning they contain no meat or dairy ingredients.

Cultures used to produce cultured butter (common in Europe) undergo a fermentation process. Like any manufactured additive, these cultures must be certified kosher to ensure no non-kosher components were used during their production.

Salt itself is kosher, but other ingredients or processes can impact the final product. While a simple salted butter is likely kosher if produced on clean equipment, the kosher certification mark is the assurance that all ingredients and processes are compliant.

The Chicago Rabbinical Council (cRc) publishes a list of acceptable kosher agencies to help consumers make informed decisions. Prominent agencies include OU, OK, KOF-K, Star-K, and cRc itself.