Out of Butter, one case
Vegan butter substitutes, case by case
8 options, ranked, with the exact amount
Use Earth Balance buttery spread
Same amount as the butter
The best vegan butter substitutes are Earth Balance Buttery Spread, Miyoko's Creamery, and homemade coconut oil blends. Use 1:1 ratio for most applications, with specific brands working better for baking vs. spreading.
- Verdict —
- Works
- Best for —
- baking
One casethe full butter card
Every option, one card
Ranked| # | Substitute | Instead of butter | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Earth Balance buttery spreadbaking | Same amountWorks | Works |
| 2 | Miyoko's Creamery European style cultured vegan butterbaking | Same amountWorks | Works |
| 3 | Homemade coconut oil blendbaking | Same amountWorks | Works |
| 4 | Country Crock plant butterspreading | Same amountWorks | Works |
| 5 | Violife plant butterbaking | Same amountWorks | Works |
| 6 | Coconut oil (solid)baking | Same amountTweak it | Tweak it |
| 7 | Cashew creamspreading | Same amountYou'll taste it | You'll taste it |
| 8 | Avocadospreading | Same amountYou'll taste it | You'll taste it |
Earth Balance buttery spread
similar taste and texture
Earth Balance is the most popular commercial vegan butter substitute, designed to mimic dairy butter's taste and texture. It's available in both spreadable and baking stick forms.
- Best for
- baking, spreading, cooking, frosting, general use, cookies, cakes
Available in original, olive oil, and coconut oil varieties. The baking sticks work best for pastry and cookies, while the spreadable version is good for toast and cooking.
Miyoko's Creamery European style cultured vegan butter
enhanced taste, similar texture
Miyoko's offers a premium vegan butter made from cultured cashews and coconut oil. It has a rich, buttery flavor and works excellently in all applications.
- Best for
- baking, spreading, cooking, when you want premium quality, pastry, sophisticated dishes
More expensive but offers superior taste and texture. Works particularly well in European-style baking and when you want a more authentic butter flavor.
Homemade coconut oil blend
similar taste and texture
A simple blend of refined coconut oil, plant milk, and salt creates an effective vegan butter substitute. This option is cost-effective and customizable.
- Best for
- baking, cooking, when you want control over ingredients, budget-friendly option, customizable flavor
Use refined coconut oil for neutral flavor. Blend 1 cup coconut oil with 2-3 tablespoons plant milk and ¼ teaspoon salt. Store in refrigerator.
Country Crock plant butter
similar taste and texture
Country Crock's plant-based butter alternative is widely available and affordable. It comes in both salted and unsalted varieties for different applications.
- Best for
- spreading, cooking, general use, when you want widely available option, budget-conscious cooking
Good for everyday use and cooking. May not work as well in delicate baking applications compared to specialty vegan butter brands.
Violife plant butter
similar taste and texture
Violife offers a palm oil-free vegan butter alternative made from coconut and sunflower oils. It's a good option for those avoiding palm oil.
- Best for
- baking, spreading, cooking, when you want palm oil-free, environmentally conscious cooking
Palm oil-free option that works well in most applications. Has a slightly different texture than traditional vegan butters but performs well in baking.
Coconut oil (solid)
different taste, similar texture
Solid coconut oil at room temperature can work as a direct butter substitute, especially in baking applications where you need a solid fat.
- Best for
- baking, cookies, pastry, when you want simple option, tropical-flavored baked goods
Use refined coconut oil for neutral flavor. Works best in recipes that call for cold butter. May add a subtle coconut flavor to baked goods.
Cashew cream
different taste and texture
Blended cashews create a rich, creamy butter substitute that works well in both sweet and savory applications. It's particularly good for spreads and sauces.
- Best for
- spreading, sauces, when you want rich creaminess, savory applications, dips
Soak cashews for 2-4 hours, then blend with water until smooth. Add salt and nutritional yeast for a more buttery flavor. Best for spreads rather than baking.
Avocado
different taste and texture
Mashed avocado provides healthy fats and creaminess as a butter substitute. It works best in applications where the green color won't be noticeable.
- Best for
- spreading, when you want healthy fats, chocolate recipes, some baking, toast
Best in chocolate recipes where the color is masked. Provides healthy monounsaturated fats and adds creaminess. May not work in all baking applications.
How it behaves in this recipe
Vegan butter substitutes are designed to replicate the taste, texture, and functionality of dairy butter while being completely plant-based. The best substitutes work because they provide similar fat content, melting properties, and flavor profiles. Commercial vegan butters are specifically formulated for different applications, with some working better for baking (solid form) and others for spreading (softer consistency).
Tips for substituting butter
8 tips- For baking cookies and pastries, use solid vegan butter that's cold from the refrigerator
- When making frosting, let vegan butter come to room temperature for easier mixing
- For sautéing vegetables, vegan butter works just like dairy butter - use medium heat
- In mashed potatoes, vegan butter adds the same richness as dairy butter
- For grilled cheese, spread vegan butter on the outside of bread for good browning
- When making pie crust, use cold vegan butter and work quickly to maintain flakiness
- For toast and bagels, vegan butter spreads easily when at room temperature
- In risotto, add vegan butter at the end for creaminess and richness
Notes on butter
- For vegan margarine, try Earth Balance or Country Crock Plant Butter
- For vegan ghee, use coconut oil or make your own clarified vegan butter
- For vegan butter extract, use vanilla extract or butter flavoring
- For vegan buttermilk, use plant milk with lemon juice or vinegar
- For vegan butter beans, use cannellini beans or navy beans
- For vegan butter lettuce, use romaine, green leaf, or red leaf lettuce
Questions
8 questionsWhat is the best vegan butter substitute for baking?
For baking, Earth Balance baking sticks or Miyoko's Creamery work best as they have similar fat content and melting properties to dairy butter. They maintain the right texture in cookies, cakes, and pastries.
Can I substitute vegan butter for regular butter in all recipes?
Yes, most vegan butters can be substituted 1:1 for regular butter in 90% of recipes. The main exceptions are recipes requiring very specific butter properties, but most commercial vegan butters work well in baking, cooking, and spreading.
What's the healthiest vegan butter substitute?
The healthiest options are homemade blends using coconut oil or avocado, as they avoid processed ingredients. However, for baking performance, commercial vegan butters like Earth Balance or Miyoko's offer the best balance of health and functionality.
Can I use coconut oil instead of vegan butter?
Yes, coconut oil can substitute for vegan butter in many applications, especially baking. Use refined coconut oil for neutral flavor. It works best in recipes that call for melted butter or where a solid fat is needed.
What's the best vegan butter for cookies?
For cookies, use a solid vegan butter like Earth Balance baking sticks or Miyoko's Creamery. These maintain the right texture and fat content needed for proper cookie structure and flavor.
Can I substitute vegan butter for butter in frosting?
Yes, vegan butter works excellently in frosting. Let it come to room temperature first, then cream it with powdered sugar just like dairy butter. Earth Balance and Miyoko's work particularly well for buttercream frosting.
What's the difference between vegan butter and margarine?
Vegan butter is specifically formulated to mimic dairy butter's properties and is made from plant-based ingredients. Margarine may contain dairy derivatives and is designed as a general butter substitute. Vegan butter typically performs better in baking applications.
Can I make my own vegan butter substitute?
Yes, you can make vegan butter by blending refined coconut oil with plant milk, salt, and optional flavorings. This gives you control over ingredients and is often more cost-effective than commercial options.