What are some vegan butters? Your Guide to Plant-Based Spreads

October 7, 2025 •

5 min read

With the plant-based food market growing, many are seeking alternatives to traditional dairy products. For those transitioning to a vegan diet or exploring dairy-free options, a common question is: what are some vegan butters? The answer lies in a diverse array of plant-based spreads, made from a variety of oils, nuts, and seeds to mimic the taste and function of their dairy counterparts.

Quick Summary

Vegan butters are plant-based spreads made from oils, nuts, and seeds. They offer dairy-free alternatives for cooking, baking, and spreading, available in various formulations from many brands and can be used similarly to traditional butter.

Key Points

Variety of Options: Vegan butters are made from various plant-based ingredients, including oils from coconut, palm, avocado, and soy, as well as nut and seed bases like cashew and sunflower.
Leading Brands: Popular brands include Earth Balance, Miyoko's Creamery, Violife, and Country Crock, each offering different formulations for various culinary uses.
Baking vs. Spreading: Stick versions of vegan butter often have a higher fat content, making them better for baking, while tub spreads are softer and ideal for spreading on toast or bagels.
Different Flavor Profiles: Some vegan butters have a neutral flavor, while others, particularly cultured nut-based options, offer a richer, tangier taste akin to European butter.
Cholesterol-Free Alternative: All vegan butters are naturally cholesterol-free, and most are lower in saturated fat than traditional dairy butter, though they are still calorie-dense and should be consumed in moderation.
Homemade Option: It is simple to make vegan butter at home using ingredients like refined coconut oil, plant-based milk, and a neutral oil.

What is vegan butter made of?

Vegan butter, also known as plant-based butter, is a non-dairy butter substitute typically made from a blend of plant-derived oils, water, and other ingredients designed to replicate the taste and texture of dairy butter. Unlike some margarines that might contain small amounts of dairy, vegan butters are completely free of animal products. Common ingredients include oils from sources like coconut, palm, avocado, olive, and canola. These are often combined with emulsifiers, such as sunflower lecithin, and flavorings to achieve the desired buttery consistency and taste. Some artisanal brands even use cultured ingredients, like cashew milk, to achieve a rich, tangy flavor reminiscent of European-style butter.

Types of vegan butters on the market

Vegan butters come in various formulations to suit different needs, from baking to simple spreading on toast. The primary difference often lies in the main fat source and whether it's cultured.

Oil-based butters

These are the most common type and can be found in most grocery stores. They are typically made from a blend of vegetable oils, providing a neutral flavor profile that makes them versatile for many recipes. Brands like Earth Balance and Country Crock offer several oil-based options.

Cultured nut-based butters

Designed for a richer, tangier flavor, these butters often use cultured nut milks, such as cashews, as their base. The fermentation process gives them a unique, complex flavor profile similar to that of traditional European butter. Miyoko's Creamery is a well-known brand in this category.

Specialty and alternative butters

Nut-free butters: For those with allergies, some brands, like Wayfare, use butter beans and seed oils to create a creamy spread.
Oat milk butters: These options cater to individuals seeking a nut-free, soy-free product with a neutral taste.

Leading vegan butter brands and their characteristics

As the vegan market has expanded, many brands, both new and established, have introduced high-quality vegan butters. Some of the most popular include:

Earth Balance: A long-standing and widely available brand known for its buttery sticks and spreads, made from a blend of oils like palm, canola, and soy. Their sticks are a go-to for many vegan bakers.
Miyoko's Creamery: Offers premium, organic, cultured vegan butters, primarily made from cashews. Praised for its tangy, European-style flavor, it is also notable for its browning capabilities.
Violife: Known for its mild-tasting plant butter sticks and tubs, which perform well in baking applications and are excellent for flavor.
Country Crock Plant Butter: A well-known dairy brand that has entered the plant-based market with butters made with olive or avocado oil. It is a very accessible and budget-friendly option.
Melt Organic: Uses a blend of organic oils, including coconut and palm, with a wonderfully silky and spreadable texture.

Vegan butter vs. dairy butter: A nutritional comparison

While vegan and dairy butters serve similar culinary purposes, their nutritional profiles have some key differences, particularly regarding saturated fats and cholesterol. Here is a comparison using average values per tablespoon:


Nutrient	Dairy Butter (Unsalted)	Vegan Butter (e.g., Earth Balance)
Calories	$\approx 102$	$\approx 100$
Total Fat	$\approx 11.5$ g	$\approx 11$ g
Saturated Fat	$\approx 7$ g	$\approx 3.5$ g
Trans Fat	$< 0.5$ g	$0$ g
Cholesterol	$\approx 30.5$ mg	$0$ mg
Monounsaturated Fat	$\approx 3$ g	$\approx 5$ g
Polyunsaturated Fat	$< 0.5$ g	$\approx 2.5$ g
Sodium	$\approx 2$ mg	$\approx 120$ mg (salted)

Using vegan butters in cooking and baking

Vegan butters are highly versatile but can behave slightly differently than dairy butter due to variations in oil composition and water content. Here are some tips for using them effectively:

For baking: Using the right form is crucial. Stick butters, like those from Earth Balance or Violife, are often formulated with a higher fat content to mimic the creaminess and structure dairy butter provides in baked goods. For best results, use chilled butter for pastries and pies. Softer tub spreads may lead to cookies spreading more during baking, so chilling the dough is recommended.
For spreading: Tub spreads are generally softer and more pliable straight from the fridge, making them ideal for toast, bagels, and muffins.
For cooking: Vegan butters work well for sautéing vegetables or making sauces. Cultured vegan butters can be browned, just like dairy butter, for a richer flavor.

Healthy alternatives to consider

For those looking for less processed alternatives, several whole foods can be used as butter substitutes, especially for spreading or specific baking applications:

Avocado: Mashed avocado offers a creamy, fatty spread rich in monounsaturated fats and essential nutrients.
Nut and seed butters: Almond, cashew, and sunflower seed butters are excellent spreads, providing healthy fats, protein, and fiber.
Coconut oil: Refined coconut oil can be used in baking and cooking. It is a solid at room temperature but has a much higher saturated fat content than most vegan butters.
Applesauce or mashed banana: These can be used in some baking recipes to add moisture and reduce fat content, though they will alter the texture.

Making your own vegan butter

For a truly customizable option, you can make vegan butter at home. A simple recipe involves blending a few key ingredients to achieve the right texture and flavor.

Ingredients:

1 cup refined coconut oil, melted
1/4 cup neutral oil (avocado or canola)
1/2 cup plant-based milk (soy or almond)
1 tsp apple cider vinegar
Salt and optional nutritional yeast for flavor

Instructions:

Combine the plant-based milk and apple cider vinegar and let it curdle to create vegan 'buttermilk'.
Blend all ingredients in a blender until smooth and emulsified.
Pour into a mold and refrigerate until firm.

Conclusion

For those wondering what are some vegan butters, the market offers a wide variety of excellent choices, from everyday oil-based spreads to artisanal cultured varieties. Popular and accessible brands like Earth Balance, Violife, and Country Crock have made vegan butter a mainstream pantry staple, while specialized brands like Miyoko's cater to gourmet tastes. While vegan butters are typically lower in saturated fat and cholesterol-free, their nutritional profile can vary, so choosing a product that aligns with your dietary preferences is important. By understanding the different types and their best uses, you can find the perfect plant-based butter for any culinary application, from baking flaky pastries to simply topping a slice of warm bread. For more in-depth nutritional information on plant-based butters, you can visit Healthline.

Frequently Asked Questions

No, vegan butter and margarine are not necessarily the same. While both are spreads made from vegetable oils, vegan butter is guaranteed to be free of all animal products. Some margarines may still contain small amounts of dairy-derived ingredients like lactose or casein.

The taste can vary depending on the ingredients. Many oil-based vegan butters are designed to have a neutral, buttery flavor, similar to margarine. Cultured nut-based options can have a tangy, complex flavor closer to European-style dairy butter, while coconut-based versions might have a subtle coconut taste.

Yes, many vegan butters, especially those sold in sticks, are specifically formulated for baking. For best results, use a stick butter and ensure it is chilled when incorporating into doughs or pastries, as some softer spreads may cause baked goods to spread too much.

Nutritionally, vegan butter is cholesterol-free and generally lower in saturated fat and higher in heart-healthy mono- and polyunsaturated fats than dairy butter. However, it is still a calorie-dense food, and some brands are highly processed. The healthiest choice depends on your overall dietary needs and goals.

Brands that offer whipped or tub-style spreads, like Melt Organic or Wayfare, are often best for spreading. Their softer consistency makes them easy to use straight from the refrigerator, providing a smooth texture for toast, bagels, or sandwiches.

Not all vegan butters are safe for those with nut allergies. Cultured nut-based butters, like Miyoko's (cashews), contain nuts. However, many oil-based brands and specialty options like Wayfare's bean-based butter are nut-free. Always check the ingredient list carefully.

Cultured vegan butter is a type of plant-based butter that uses fermented ingredients, typically nut milk like cashews, to create a richer, tangier flavor profile. This process mimics the fermentation used to make traditional cultured dairy butter, resulting in a more complex and savory taste.