🥛 Dairy

Vegan Butter Substitutes: Complete Guide

Discover the best vegan butter substitutes for baking, cooking, and spreading. Learn about commercial brands, homemade options, and specific applications like cookies, frosting, and toast.

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Quick Answer

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.

Best Substitutes

Earth Balance Buttery Spread

1:1

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:

bakingspreadingcookingfrostinggeneral usecookiescakes

Available in original, olive oil, and coconut oil varieties. The baking sticks work best for pastry and cookies, while the spreadable version is perfect for toast and cooking.

Miyoko's Creamery European Style Cultured Vegan Butter

1:1

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:

bakingspreadingcookingwhen you want premium qualitypastrysophisticated 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

1:1

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:

bakingcookingwhen you want control over ingredientsbudget-friendly optioncustomizable flavor

Use refined coconut oil for neutral flavor. Blend 1 cup coconut oil with 2-3 tablespoons plant milk and 1/4 teaspoon salt. Store in refrigerator.

Country Crock Plant Butter

1:1

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:

spreadingcookinggeneral usewhen you want widely available optionbudget-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

1:1

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:

bakingspreadingcookingwhen you want palm oil-freeenvironmentally 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)

1:1

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:

bakingcookiespastrywhen you want simple optiontropical-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

1:1

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:

spreadingsauceswhen you want rich creaminesssavory applicationsdips

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

1:1

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:

spreadingwhen you want healthy fatschocolate recipessome bakingtoast

Best in chocolate recipes where the color is masked. Provides healthy monounsaturated fats and adds creaminess. May not work in all baking applications.

Cooking 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 perfect 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

Frequently Asked Questions

What 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.

Summary

Find the best vegan butter substitutes for baking, cooking, and spreading. Learn about commercial brands like Earth Balance and Miyoko's, plus homemade alternatives for all your dairy-free cooking needs.