What Is Butter and How Can I Use It?
Butter rewards a little know-how: how to choose it, cook it, store it, and substitute in a pinch. Browse 14,585 recipes to cook with it.
Key Points
- Butter is flavor, texture, and function — not just fat.
- Made by churning cream, then adding salt for taste — not preservation.
- Salt is unevenly distributed — intentional flavor bursts.
- Buy European-style: 82%+ fat, browns better, richer.
- Avoid margarine — it’s oil and water, not butter.
- Salt should be listed second on label — if third or lower, low quality.
- Use in baking, sautéing, toast — adds depth, browning, flavor.
- Don’t use for precision pastry — salt content varies.
- 1 stick = 1/2 cup = 4 oz = 113g.
- If recipe says "butter," it means salted — unless specified otherwise.
- Replace unsalted with salted: reduce added salt by 1/4 tsp per stick.
- Store in fridge — lasts 3 months. Freeze — lasts 1 year.
- Never leave out more than 2 hours — goes rancid.
- No true substitute; unsalted butter + salt is close, ghee has no salt, coconut oil is different.
- Do not use vegetable shortening — artificial, no butter flavor.
- When a recipe says "butter," it means salted.
What is butter?
Butter is not just fat. It is flavor, texture, and function in one block.
It’s made by churning cream until fat separates. Then salt is added: not for preservation, but for taste.
The salt is unevenly distributed. That’s intentional. It creates bursts of flavor.
Buying Butter
Buy European-style. It has higher fat: 82% or more. It browns better. It’s richer.
Avoid margarine. It’s not butter. It’s oil and water.
Check the label. Salt should be listed second. If it’s third or lower, it’s low-quality.
Using Butter
Use it in baking. It adds depth. It balances sweetness.
Use it in sautéing. It browns faster than unsalted. It adds flavor to vegetables, fish, and eggs.
Use it in toast. It melts. It coats. It sings.
Don’t use it for pastry if precision matters. Butter varies in salt content. Use unsalted for cakes and pie crusts.
Measuring Butter
One stick = 1/2 cup = 4 oz = 113g.
Most recipes call for sticks. If it says "butter," and doesn’t specify, it means salted.
If a recipe calls for unsalted butter and you only have salted, reduce added salt by 1/4 tsp per stick.
Storing Butter and Substitutes
Store in the fridge. In its wrapper. It lasts 3 months. For longer storage, freeze it. It lasts 1 year. Never leave it out for more than 2 hours. It goes rancid.
There is no true substitute for butter. But if you need to replace it: unsalted butter + salt (better control, but not the same), ghee (no water, higher smoke point, no salt), or coconut oil (plant-based, different flavor). Do not use vegetable shortening. It’s artificial. It has no butter flavor.
Why Butter Matters
Butter is not a condiment. It is a building block. It adds richness. It adds depth. It adds balance.
The difference between a dull sauté and a golden one is the butter. The difference between a flat cookie and a chewy one is the butter.
Buy real butter. It’s worth the cost. It’s worth the flavor. When a recipe says "butter," it means salted. Use that. Don’t guess. Butter doesn’t just taste good. It makes everything taste better.
It’s the quiet hero.
Nutrition
Nutrition Facts
Serving Size 1 cup (227g)Where found
Butter is usually found in the dairy section or aisle of the grocery store or supermarket.
Food group
Butter is a member of the Dairy and Egg Products US Department of Agriculture nutritional food group.
How much does butter weigh?
| Amount | Weight |
|---|---|
| 1 cup | 227 grams |
| 1 tbsp | 14 grams |
| 1 pat (1" sq, 1/3" high) | 5 grams |
| 1 stick | 113 grams |
Related
Dairy and Egg Products
- In Chinese:
- 黄油
- British (UK) term:
- Butter
- en français:
- beurre
- en español:
- mantequilla
Recipes using butter
There are 14585 recipes that contain this ingredient.
Quickand Easy Fudgey Brownies
Quick fudgy brownies made with unsweetened chocolate and butter melted in the microwave, with optional marshmallow chocolate frosting. The classic from-scratch fudgy brownie in one bowl.
Quickand Easy Fudgey Brownies
Quick fudgy brownies made with unsweetened chocolate and butter melted in the microwave, with optional marshmallow chocolate frosting. The classic from-scratch fudgy brownie in one bowl.
Homemade Sweet Pumpkin Seeds
Homemade sweet pumpkin seeds, pepitas toasted golden and coated in melted semisweet chocolate. A crunchy, chocolatey snack that turns leftover pumpkin seeds into a treat in minutes.
Jello Any-Fruit Cake
A soft cake bottom, with a fruit filled middle topped with a tantalizing cinnamon topping. Learning how to make Jello fruit cake that use any fruit you have on hand including summery rhubarb with strawberry gelatin.
Goat Cheese & Zucchini Omelet for Two
Eggs & zucchini creamily enveloped by warm and creamy tangy goat cheese and sweet caramelized onion mixture. When you've got zucchini overload and aren't sure what to do, this is my go-to recipe that feeds the need.
Easy Skillet Apple Pancakes
Fluffy skillet pancakes loaded with cinnamon-sugar apples cooked right into the batter. One pan, four gorgeous pancakes, minimal cleanup.
Scrambled Eggs with Lox & Cream Cheese
A low-carb version of Lox (smoked salmon) and cream cheese that uses scrambled eggs to replace the classic bagel. Rich, creamy, and delicious, it is perfect for celebrating National Cream Cheese and Lox Day or anytime for an impressive Brunch or breakfast offering.
Potato & Scallion Casserole
A comforting and savory dish featuring layers of golden-brown potatoes and tender scallions, bound together with a creamy yogurt-egg sauce and baked to perfection. Ideal as a hearty side or a light main course.
Brussels Sprouts with Pecans
Discover this easy sautéed Brussels sprouts with pecans recipe: caramelized onions, garlic, and a hint of lemon for a quick, healthy side dish bursting with nutty crunch and subtle sweetness—perfect for weeknight dinners or holiday meals like "simple Brussels sprouts side dish ideas" or "healthy vegetable recipes with nuts."
Parmesan Chicken Fingers with Lemon
Crispy Parmesan-crusted chicken fingers air-fryer or pan-fried and served with fresh lemon wedges for a tangy twist. Quick, kid-friendly recipe ready in under 30 minutes. These golden, cheesy chicken fingers are a simple yet flavorful twist on classic breaded chicken. The Parmesan adds a savory crunch, while a squeeze of lemon brightens each bite. Perfect as an appetizer, main dish, or snack.
White Chocolate Scones
White chocolate scones with heavy cream, cold butter, and generous chunks of white chocolate that go soft and creamy in the oven. Flaky, layered, and tender from keeping the butter cold.
Tom's Favourite Chocolate Chip Pancakes
Chocolate chip pancakes from scratch with a hint of cinnamon and vanilla. Fluffy, kid-approved breakfast that hits the table in 30 minutes flat.
Chicken Nuggets (Air-fryer or oven baked)
These air-fryer (or oven based) chicken nuggets are popular combination of savory and crispy, with the rich taste of chicken complemented by the crunch of a cracker crumb coating complete with 4 varieties of dipping sauces.
Homemade Fish shaped Appetizer
Fish-shaped salmon pastries: buttery shortcrust hand pies cut into fish, filled with smoked salmon, potato, and onion, then decorated with pastry scales and baked golden. A playful, savory party appetizer kids love.
Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Hazelnut Brown Butter
Caramelized Brussels sprouts roasted with toasted hazelnuts in nutty brown butter. Quick high-heat side dish with crispy edges and tender centers in under 25 minutes.
Favourite Pineapple Cake
Eggless pineapple cake made with sweetened condensed milk for a soft, moist crumb, flavored with pineapple essence and crushed pineapple, then finished with pineapple icing. A bakery-style cake with no eggs.
Cinnamon Brownies
Cinnamon-spiked fudgy brownies with cocoa powder, chocolate chips, and a cinnamon cocoa frosting on top. Mexican chocolate-inspired warm-spiced treat.
Cinnamon Brownies
Cinnamon-spiked fudgy brownies with cocoa powder, chocolate chips, and a cinnamon cocoa frosting on top. Mexican chocolate-inspired warm-spiced treat.
Peanut Butter Brownies with Peanut Butter Frosting
Peanut Butter Brownies with Peanut Butter Frosting recipe
Peanut Butter Brownies with Peanut Butter Frosting
Peanut Butter Brownies with Peanut Butter Frosting recipe
Homemade Birthday Gift for Kids
Birthday are always happening year round.There are many items that you can give as gifts.But homemade gift is very special.It is tasty and nutritious gift for a kids party.
Buttermilk Waffles
Buttermilk waffles with chopped cashews folded into the batter and a quick fresh blueberry compote spooned over top. Light, crisp, and ready for weekend brunch in under 25 minutes.
Daddy's Creamy Broccoli Soup
Rich, restaurant-style creamy broccoli soup with tender florets, buttery broth base, half-and-half, and sharp cheddar for stirring in at the table.
Hearty & Silky Broccoli Soup
Silky broccoli soup purees fresh broccoli with sauteed leeks, potatoes, and chicken broth, finished with half-and-half for a creamy, vivid green bowl. Bright and vegetable-forward.
