Understanding Grass-Fed Butter
Before exploring specific brands, it's important to understand what distinguishes grass-fed butter from regular butter. The key difference lies in the cow's diet. Grass-fed cows consume a diet rich in fresh pasture, which leads to a higher concentration of certain nutrients in their milk. This results in a distinctive, rich, and often more complex flavor profile, and a notable golden-yellow color due to elevated beta-carotene levels. Many brands also adhere to higher animal welfare standards.
Top Brands That Sell Grass-Fed Butter
Kerrygold
Easily one of the most recognizable names in the grass-fed butter market, Kerrygold is an Irish brand known for its distinctive golden foil packaging. The butter is made from the milk of grass-fed cows that graze on the lush, rain-fed pastures of Ireland. This traditional farming practice is what gives Kerrygold its famously rich and creamy taste. It is widely available in most major grocery stores and is a popular choice for both spreading and baking.
Vital Farms
Vital Farms is a B Corp that prides itself on prioritizing animal welfare and sustainable farming practices. Their pasture-raised butter comes from cows that spend an average of 200 days a year grazing outdoors. The cows' diet is 90% grass-based, with the remaining 10% consisting of nutritionally balanced feed. This results in a high-quality butter with an 83-85% butterfat content, making it an excellent choice for baking and cooking. Vital Farms also offers a cultured butter option.
Organic Valley
As a farmer-owned cooperative, Organic Valley offers several dairy products, including organic grass-fed butter. Their flagship is the seasonal "Pasture Butter," produced only when their cows are predominantly grazing fresh pasture (May through September). This seasonal product is known for its high butterfat content (84%) and elevated levels of beneficial fatty acids. Organic Valley also offers a standard organic butter made from pasture-raised, grass-fed cows year-round.
Anchor
Another well-regarded imported option is Anchor, a New Zealand brand known for its high-quality butter. Like Ireland, New Zealand has a climate conducive to year-round grass grazing for its dairy cows. Anchor butter is appreciated for its creamy texture and rich flavor, and it is a good alternative to Kerrygold for those seeking butter from a similar grass-fed environment.
Kirkland Signature
For those who shop at Costco, the Kirkland Signature brand offers a grass-fed butter that is a popular and more budget-friendly option. This butter is sourced from New Zealand, where it adheres to similar high standards for grass-fed cows as Ireland. The golden color and rich flavor make it a great value proposition for anyone looking for quality grass-fed butter in bulk.
Boutique and Specialty Brands
Beyond the large supermarket staples, several smaller brands cater to the grass-fed market. These often provide more specific details on sourcing and farming practices. For example, Truly Grass Fed is another Irish brand focusing on non-GMO and hormone-free dairy. Seven Sons Farms offers 100% grass-fed butter from their pasture-raised A2 cows, emphasizing a direct-to-consumer relationship.
Comparison of Top Grass-Fed Butter Brands
| Brand | Source/Sourcing Details | Certification | Flavor Notes | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kerrygold | Irish family farms, year-round grass grazing | Not a certified program, but adheres to strict Irish standards | Rich, creamy, grassy, and golden | Spreading, baking, all-purpose |
| Vital Farms | US family farms, pasture-raised (90% grass-fed) | Certified B Corp, Pasture-Raised | Creamy, high butterfat, sometimes tangy (cultured) | Baking, bulletproof coffee, spreading |
| Organic Valley | Farmer-owned co-op, pasture-raised and organic | USDA Organic, Pasture-Raised | Buttery, slightly sweet or tangy (cultured), rich | Baking, seasonal product for peak flavor |
| Anchor | New Zealand dairy farms, year-round grazing | Sourced from NZ dairy industry standards | Creamy, rich, high butterfat | Cooking, baking, spreading |
| Kirkland Signature | New Zealand dairy farms, comparable standards | Sourced from NZ dairy industry standards | Rich, golden, good value | Cooking and baking in bulk |
How to Choose the Right Grass-Fed Butter for You
- Look for Certifications: Since the term “grass-fed” is not always regulated in the US, look for third-party certifications like the American Grassfed Association (AGA) or Global Animal Partnership (G.A.P.).
- Check the Color: The color of the butter is a strong indicator of a cow's diet. A deeper, more golden yellow is a visual sign of higher beta-carotene from grass.
- Read the Label: Pay attention to sourcing claims like “pasture-raised” and “100% grass-fed.” A brand like Vital Farms, for instance, is upfront about its 90% grass-fed diet.
- Consider Your Budget: While premium brands like Kerrygold and Vital Farms offer excellent quality, options like Kirkland Signature provide a more affordable entry point into grass-fed butter, especially in bulk.
Key Benefits of Grass-Fed Butter
Choosing grass-fed butter is more than a culinary preference; it often means prioritizing better nutritional content and more ethical sourcing. Here are some of the key benefits:
- Nutrient-Dense: Grass-fed butter is richer in essential nutrients, including higher levels of beta-carotene, vitamin A, and vitamin K2.
- Favorable Fatty Acid Profile: It contains a better ratio of omega-3 to omega-6 fatty acids and is a natural source of conjugated linoleic acid (CLA), which has been linked to various health benefits.
- Superior Flavor: The unique diet of grass-fed cows imparts a richer, more complex flavor to the butter, with subtle notes of the pasture that enhance both cooking and simple toast.
- Ethical and Sustainable Practices: Many grass-fed butter producers commit to animal welfare and sustainable farming, contributing to a healthier environment and a more humane food system.
For more detailed product reviews and comparisons, you can consult reputable sources like Wirecutter, which often tests a variety of butter products, including grass-fed options. https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-butter/
Conclusion
Many excellent brands sell grass-fed butter, each with its own merits regarding sourcing, flavor, and price. For a reliable, widely available option, Kerrygold remains a top contender. For those who prioritize a mix of sustainability and high butterfat, Vital Farms is a standout. Meanwhile, Organic Valley offers a seasonal, ultra-premium product, and Kirkland Signature provides great value in bulk. Ultimately, your choice depends on your priorities, but knowing the key brands and what to look for on the label will ensure you find a high-quality product that enriches your cooking and diet.
