Butter Substitutes
Butter is a dairy product made by churning cream, known for its rich flavor and creamy texture. It adds moisture, tenderness, and a distinct taste to baked goods while also aiding in browning and leavening. Its fat content helps create flaky pastries and smooth sauces, making it a versatile ingredient in cooking and baking.
Primary function in recipes: Butter primarily acts as a fat that enhances flavor, texture, and moisture in recipes.
Choose Your Recipe (65 Recipe Guides)
The best Butter substitute depends on what you're making. Select your recipe for a tailored recommendation with exact ratios.
In-depth guide
Brownies
Best: Margarine
5 options with exact ratios
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In-depth guide
Sugar Cookies
Best: Unsalted Margarine
5 options with exact ratios
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Bagels
Best: Vegetable Oil
5 options with exact ratios
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Banana Bread
Best: Melted Coconut Oil
5 options with exact ratios
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Béarnaise Sauce
Best: Clarified Butter (Ghee)
5 options with exact ratios
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Beef Stew
Best: Olive Oil
5 options with exact ratios
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Biscuits
Best: Shortening
5 options with exact ratios
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Bread Pudding
Best: Unsalted Margarine
5 options with exact ratios
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Burgers
Best: Mayonnaise
5 options with exact ratios
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Carrot Cake
Best: Margarine
5 options with exact ratios
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Cheesecake
Best: Cream Cheese
5 options with exact ratios
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Chicken Pot Pie
Best: Unsalted Margarine
5 options with exact ratios
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Chili
Best: Olive Oil
5 options with exact ratios
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Chocolate Cake
Best: Margarine
5 options with exact ratios
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Chocolate Chip Cookies
Best: Unsalted Margarine
5 options with exact ratios
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Chocolate Mousse
Best: Coconut Oil
5 options with exact ratios
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Cinnamon Rolls
Best: Margarine
5 options with exact ratios
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Cream Sauce
Best: Ghee
5 options with exact ratios
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Crème Brûlée
Best: Heavy Cream
5 options with exact ratios
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Crepes
Best: Margarine
5 options with exact ratios
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Cupcakes
Best: Unsweetened Applesauce
5 options with exact ratios
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Curry
Best: Ghee
5 options with exact ratios
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Doughnuts
Best: Margarine
5 options with exact ratios
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Energy Balls
Best: Coconut Oil
5 options with exact ratios
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Focaccia
Best: Olive Oil
5 options with exact ratios
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French Toast
Best: Margarine
5 options with exact ratios
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Fried Chicken
Best: Rendered Chicken Fat (Schmaltz)
5 options with exact ratios
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Fried Rice
Best: Vegetable Oil
5 options with exact ratios
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Frittata
Best: Olive Oil
5 options with exact ratios
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Granola
Best: Coconut Oil
5 options with exact ratios
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Hollandaise Sauce
Best: Clarified Butter (Ghee)
5 options with exact ratios
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Marinade
Best: Olive Oil
5 options with exact ratios
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Meatballs
Best: Olive Oil
5 options with exact ratios
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Meatloaf
Best: Olive Oil
5 options with exact ratios
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Muffins
Best: Margarine
5 options with exact ratios
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Oatmeal
Best: Coconut Oil
5 options with exact ratios
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Omelette
Best: Olive Oil
5 options with exact ratios
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Pad Thai
Best: Refined Coconut Oil
5 options with exact ratios
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Pancakes
Best: Melted Coconut Oil
5 options with exact ratios
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Panna Cotta
Best: Heavy Cream
5 options with exact ratios
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Pasta
Best: Olive Oil
5 options with exact ratios
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Pie Crust
Best: Lard
5 options with exact ratios
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Pizza Dough
Best: Olive Oil
5 options with exact ratios
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Pound Cake
Best: Unsalted Margarine
5 options with exact ratios
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Quiche
Best: Clarified Butter (Ghee)
5 options with exact ratios
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Quick Bread
Best: Vegetable Oil
5 options with exact ratios
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Red Velvet Cake
Best: Vegetable Oil
5 options with exact ratios
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Risotto
Best: Olive Oil
5 options with exact ratios
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Roasted Vegetables
Best: Olive Oil
5 options with exact ratios
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Salad Dressing
Best: Extra Virgin Olive Oil
5 options with exact ratios
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Scones
Best: Cold Coconut Oil
5 options with exact ratios
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Scrambled Eggs
Best: Ghee
5 options with exact ratios
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Shepherd's Pie
Best: Margarine
5 options with exact ratios
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Smoothie
Best: Avocado
5 options with exact ratios
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Soup
Best: Olive Oil
5 options with exact ratios
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Sourdough Bread
Best: Olive Oil
5 options with exact ratios
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Stew
Best: Olive Oil
5 options with exact ratios
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Stir-Fry
Best: Refined Coconut Oil
5 options with exact ratios
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Teriyaki Sauce
Best: Margarine
5 options with exact ratios
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Tiramisu
Best: Mascarpone Cheese
5 options with exact ratios
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Tomato Sauce
Best: Olive Oil
5 options with exact ratios
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Vanilla Cake
Best: Margarine
5 options with exact ratios
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Waffles
Best: Margarine
5 options with exact ratios
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Yeast Bread
Best: Margarine
5 options with exact ratios
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Zucchini Bread
Best: Unsweetened Applesauce
5 options with exact ratios
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In-Depth Guides
Expert-tested substitution guides with detailed ratios, texture comparisons, and practical advice.
Best Butter Substitute for Cookies: 8 Options Tested
We baked chocolate chip cookies with 8 different butter substitutes. See how each affects spread, chewiness, crispness, and flavor....
Read Guide →
Emergency Cooking Substitutions: A Complete Pantry Rescue Guide
Missing an ingredient mid-recipe? Quick substitution ratios for eggs, butter, milk, buttermilk, cream, flour, sugar, baking powder, and more...
Read Guide →
Dairy-Free Baking: How to Replace Milk, Butter, and Cream
A comprehensive guide to removing all dairy from baked goods. Replace milk, butter, cream, yogurt, and cream cheese with tested alternatives...
Read Guide →
Explore All Fat & Oil Substitutes
Butter is part of our fat & oil substitutes collection. Browse all related ingredient substitutes in one place.
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