Popular Commercial Vegan Butters
For those seeking a convenient, one-to-one replacement, commercial vegan butter brands are the simplest solution. These products are engineered to mimic the taste, texture, and performance of dairy butter in a variety of culinary uses, from spreading on toast to complex baking.
Earth Balance Buttery Sticks
As a long-standing pioneer in the vegan market, Earth Balance is a highly accessible and versatile option. It comes in both sticks and spreadable tubs, with sticks often preferred for baking due to their higher fat content. While some users report a recent change in formula that affects the taste when eaten plain, the brand is widely trusted for reliable baking results. It is also widely available in many grocery stores.
Violife Plant Butter
Violife has gained a strong reputation for its delicious flavor and exceptional performance in both cooking and baking. Made with 79% plant oil, it offers a rich taste and texture that closely resembles dairy butter, making it a top pick for recipes like buttercream frosting and flaky pastry. For those concerned about palm oil, Violife is often a preferred choice as some versions are palm oil-free.
Country Crock Plant Butter
Best known for its traditional spreads, Country Crock has introduced a successful line of plant butters based on oils like olive and avocado. These products offer a rich taste and perform well in baking applications, sometimes blending better and creaming more similarly to dairy butter than other brands. Its affordability and widespread availability make it a great option for everyday use.
Miyoko's European Style Cultured Vegan Butter
For a gourmet experience, Miyoko's offers a cultured, artisanal vegan butter made from organic cashews and coconut oil. The culturing process provides a unique tangy flavor reminiscent of European-style dairy butter, which is a major selling point for some but polarizing for others. It works well in certain recipes, but its high price point and artisanal nature can be limiting.
Natural Whole-Food Alternatives
For those who prefer a less-processed, whole-foods approach, many pantry staples can serve as excellent butter substitutes, though they may require some recipe adjustments.
Coconut Oil
Coconut oil is a solid fat at room temperature, similar to butter, making it a great alternative for many applications.
- Refined vs. Unrefined: Use refined coconut oil for a neutral flavor that won't overpower your dish. Unrefined oil retains a stronger coconut taste.
- Baking: It can be used as a 1:1 replacement for butter, but it's 100% fat versus butter's 80% fat and 20% water content. This can result in crisper cookies or denser baked goods. For more comparable results, use slightly less coconut oil or add a little extra liquid.
- Best For: Muffins, certain cakes, and sautéing, particularly when melted butter is called for.
Olive Oil
With its savory, grassy flavor and high content of healthy monounsaturated fats, olive oil is a fantastic alternative for cooking and certain baking applications.
- Baking Conversion: Use about three-quarters of the amount of olive oil for the butter called for in a recipe (e.g., 3/4 cup oil for 1 cup butter).
- Best For: Recipes requiring melted fat, like breads and some muffins. It's not suitable for creaming with sugar or applications that need solid fat.
Nut and Seed Butters
Peanut, almond, cashew, and sunflower seed butters can replace butter in some contexts, primarily as a spread or in dessert recipes. Their flavor is strong and will be noticeable in the final dish.
- Best For: Spreading on toast, in cookies where the nutty flavor is desired, or in savory sauces.
- Note: Always opt for natural, unsalted varieties to better control the final flavor of your recipe.
Fruit-Based Substitutes
Certain fruits can provide moisture and binding properties to replace butter in some baking, though with significant changes in texture and flavor profile.
- Mashed Banana: Adds natural sweetness and moisture to quick breads and muffins, resulting in a denser product.
- Mashed Avocado: Offers a rich, creamy texture and is excellent in chocolate desserts where its green hue can be hidden.
- Applesauce: Reduces fat and calories while adding moisture to cakes and muffins, but can make baked goods softer.
Vegan Butter Comparison Table
| Alternative | Consistency | Flavor Profile | Best For | Considerations |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Commercial Plant Butter (Sticks) | Firm when cold, softens at room temp | Buttery, neutral to slightly tangy | Baking (pastry, cookies), frosting, spreading | Closest performance to dairy butter, some brands are pricey |
| Commercial Plant Spread (Tubs) | Soft, easily spreadable | Neutral or flavored | Spreading on toast, finishing dishes | Not ideal for baking that requires creaming |
| Coconut Oil (Refined) | Solid when cold, melts easily | Neutral | Sautéing, muffins, cakes where melted fat is needed | Lower melting point, can make baked goods dense or crispy |
| Olive Oil | Liquid | Savory, fruity, or peppery | Sautéing, savory baking (breads, muffins) | Not for creaming or recipes requiring solid fat, affects flavor |
| Nut/Seed Butters | Creamy, dense | Nutty, distinct | Spreading, sauces, strong-flavored cookies | Flavor will be prominent, not for all baking |
| Mashed Avocado | Creamy, fatty | Neutral (can be slightly vegetal) | Chocolate baked goods, brownies, spreading | Green color can be visible in light-colored recipes |
| Mashed Banana | Soft, moist | Sweet, banana flavor | Quick breads, muffins | Adds sweetness and banana flavor, denser texture |
How to Make Homemade Vegan Butter
For those who enjoy a DIY approach, making your own vegan butter is an option, especially if you want to control the ingredients. Many recipes rely on a blend of different plant-based fats and an emulsifier.
Here is a simple approach inspired by several recipes:
- Prepare the Base: In a blender, combine 1/2 cup unsweetened soy milk or other protein-rich plant milk with 1 teaspoon apple cider vinegar. Let it curdle for about 5 minutes to create a vegan buttermilk.
- Combine Fats: Gently melt 1 cup of refined coconut oil. It must be just melted and not hot to prevent separation. Add 1/4 cup of a neutral-tasting oil like sunflower or grapeseed oil to the blender along with the melted coconut oil.
- Emulsify and Flavor: Add the curdled plant milk mixture to the blender along with a pinch of turmeric for color and salt to taste. For a richer, more stable emulsion, add a teaspoon of liquid sunflower lecithin.
- Blend and Set: Blend on high for about 1 minute until creamy and thick. Pour the mixture into a mold or container and refrigerate for several hours until firm. Store in the fridge.
Choosing the Right Vegan Butter for Your Needs
When selecting a vegan butter alternative, consider the recipe's requirements. For complex baking like flaky pastries, a commercial plant butter stick (like Violife or Earth Balance) is often the best choice for its consistent performance. For simple sautéing or melting, refined coconut or olive oil can work perfectly, providing flavor and fat. If spreading on toast, a tub of a soft spread or a nut butter is ideal. Don't be afraid to experiment to find the perfect alternative for your culinary style. The British Dietetic Association also offers helpful tips for navigating a plant-based diet and making nutritious substitutions.
Conclusion
Vegans have moved beyond a single option for butter, with a wide array of sophisticated commercial products and versatile whole-food substitutes available. From the convenience of store-bought sticks to the simplicity of pantry staples like coconut oil and olive oil, finding a suitable dairy-free alternative is easier than ever. The best choice depends on the specific recipe, desired flavor profile, and health considerations. By understanding the properties of these different options, vegans can confidently continue to create delicious, buttery dishes in the kitchen.
