One of the oldest staples in U.S. kitchens is butter. The product was once churned by hand but has come a long way. Now, there are options like salted, unsalted, or sweet cream and you can buy it by the pound. However, some butter brands don’t hold up at the grocery store the same way. Here are seven options to consider and seven to leave behind.
Winning Butter Brands
Kerrygold is one of the top-rated butter brands in the world. It’s richer and creamier than other store-bought butter brands. Furthermore, Kerrygold uses minimal ingredients and gets the cream from grass-fed, free-range Irish cows. Meanwhile, Kerrygold also has a higher fat content and comes from cultured cream, adding to the complex flavor profile.
The President Butter Brand
The French butter made by President is creamy, rich, and full-bodied. The company has been in business for over 70 years, perfecting its salted, unsalted, sea-salted, and spreadable butter.
Tillamook
Tillamook butter, produced at a dairy farm in Tillamook County, Oregon, is made with 81% butter fat, so it’s healthier than Kerrygold or Plugra but packs more flavor than other store bought butter brands. Furthermore, guests can visit the factory to see how butter, cheese, and ice cream are made and try various ice cream flavors or have lunch before exploring the gift shop.
Read More: 10 Things You Can Do With Your Butter Wrappers Instead of Throwing Them Away
Lurpack Butter
Although it’s less common in grocery stores Lurpack has been around for over 100 years and the Danish brand is renowned for its wholesome ingredients, using only cream and salt. Purportedly, Lurpack is sold in nearly 100 countries and can be found at Whole Foods.
Vermont Creamery
The last must-have butter brand we’ll mention is Vermont Creamery. Unsurprisingly, the company also boasts wholesome and fewer ingredients than other store-bought butter brands. Additionally, like Kerrygold, Vermont Creamery uses cultured cream to make its butter, giving it a full-bodied and “tangy” flavor.
Cabot Creamery
Another butter brand you won’t regret buying is Cabot Creamery. Also located in Vermont, this butter brand prides itself on wholesome ingredients and several award-winning products.
Apparently, several local farms collaborated to produce award-winning dairy products like butter and cheese. Moreover, Cabot Creamery produces yogurt, whipped cream, Mac n cheese, sour cream, and several dips. However, butter is unanimously their most popular product.
Butter Brands on Amazon
Plugra, “made by dairy farmers of America,” is rich and creamy because it also uses more butterfat than traditional American butter brands. “Incredible for cooking as it is rich and creamy…On toast or rolls, your mouth will love you,” raved one Amazon review.
Butter Brands to Avoid
Smart Balance Buttery spread is one of the most well-known butter alternatives. However, because it’s an alternative, that means it’s not made with cream. Rather the ingredients list contains things like vegetable, canola, and palm oil. Moreover, medical professionals are divided regarding whether processed oils like canola are actually worse for your health. Additionally, Smart Balance has changed the recipe and customers aren’t happy. “I’ve been using the original for years. Recently bought the new formula and it is tasteless,” wrote one customer on the Smart Balance website.”
Not Butter
I can’t believe it’s not butter. One of the earliest renditions of a butter alternative, I Can’t Believe it’s Not Butter made its debut as a healthier alternative to cholesterol-causing butter. However, most customers note that it lacks “richness” and a “dairy taste.” Meanwhile, the texture is “oily.”
Parkay
Parkay butter alternative is another butter brand to avoid. While many consumers note the flavor is richer than I can’t believe it’s not butter, they also note the flavor is lackluster compared to butter made with real cream.
Imperial
Although Imperial butter comes available in stick form, closely resembling authentic butter, the ingredients aren’t nearly as wholesome. With items like soybean oil and potassium sorbate listed, it’s no wonder why people prefer naturally derived butter over these butter alternatives.
Country Crock
Countrycrock is another well-known brand for butter alternatives. Sadly, The “margarine” product also contains undesirable ingredients. For instance, it lists palm oil, and the harvesting process of palm oil has a detrimental impact on the environment. Meanwhile, consumers have noted the newer recipes become moldy more quickly than recipes from previous years.
Blue Bonnet
Blue Bonnet has staked its reputation on the ability to “bake like butter for less than half the price.” While saving money is always ideal, many consumers are left with a lackluster product, questioning whether or not it’s worth the difference in cost. “I don’t believe margarine is food,” said a Reddit user.
“To me, it seems more like an industrial lubricant…I hate that greasy mouth feels,” another added in agreement.
Tips for Buying Butter
Essentially, the ideal butter brands are those with fewer and more wholesome ingredients and a higher fat content for more flavor. Meanwhile, yellow butter like Kerrygold is preferred because it’s rich in beta-carotene. However, some manufacturers add carotene for color so be sure to find a butter brand that aligns with your preferences, avoiding artificial ingredients if that’s important to you. Or stick with the butter alternatives if recommended by your primary care provider. Either way, in most cases, prioritizing fewer ingredients and less processing are great guidelines when shopping.
Read More: People Are Going Crazy for Kerrygold Butter
