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Plant-based butter

Oils & fats · Plant fats & spreads

Plant-based butter

Dairy-free block or spread made from plant oils, used in place of butter for baking and spreading.

Also called: vegan butter, dairy-free butter, vegan block

1 recipe with it

Photo: Unknown author, via Wikimedia Commons (CC-BY-SA-2.0)

What it is

Plant-based butter is a blend of plant oils and fats (often palm, shea, coconut or rapeseed) with water, salt and emulsifiers, made to behave like dairy butter. Firm blocks are designed for baking; soft tub spreads have more water and give softer results. Check labels, as some margarines contain milk.

How it’s used

  • Vegan pastry, cakes and cookies
  • Spreading on toast
  • Finishing vegetables and sauces
  • Buttercream for dairy-free cakes

Characteristics

When cooked
Blocks cream and laminate much like butter; tub spreads can make cookies spread and pastry soggy.
Sold as
whole
Cooking uses
Suitable for baking, Commonly cooked
Common in
International

Storage

Refrigerated. Keep chilled and wrapped; freeze blocks for longer storage.

Diet, allergens and safety

No major allergens in typical versions. May contain Milk, Soy — check the label.

  • Vegetarian
  • Vegan
  • Dairy-free (check label)
  • Egg-free
  • Gluten-free
  • Nut-free
  • Soy-free (check label)
  • Caffeine-free
  • Some brands contain soy, nuts or milk derivatives; read the label for allergens.

Nutrition per 100 g

Energy
713 kcal
Protein
0.22 g
Carbohydrate
0.75 g
Fat
80.17 g
Fibre
0 g
Sugars
0 g

USDA FoodData Central: Margarine, regular, 80% fat, composite, tub, with salt (a close stand-in).

Substitutes

Optional — what works if you don’t have it, and how it changes the dish.

  • Coconut oil — Use about 80% of the weight in baking since it has no water; adds coconut flavour unless refined.

Related ingredients

Recipes with plant-based butter

More plant fats & spreads