Non-Dairy Butter Alternatives
There are many good-tasting, healthy, non-dairy butter alternatives today. You can use these substitutes to replace dairy butter in cooking, baking or use them as a spread. These plant- and coconut-based butters come in either spreads and whipped spreads, or sticks—just like dairy butter and have significantly less saturated fat and cholesterol than dairy butter. Here are some excellent non-dairy butter alternatives:
PLANT-BASED BUTTERS
Earth Balance®
Earth Balance products are all non-GMO and most have been verified by the Non-GMO Project; they use only responsible and sustainable sources of palm oil and actively take a stand against unsustainable palm oil; all are animal-product free; plus Earth Balance works to make their products organic and all of their organic products are USDA certified. They also sponsor the Institute for Responsible Technology, a non-profit trying to influence consumer demand for non-GMO products.
Products include:
- Buttery Spread – (Original, Olive Oil, Soy Free, Omega-3, Soy Garden, Organic Whipped Spread) All are vegan, lactose-free, gluten-free, expeller-pressed oils, casein-free, have zero trans fat and are non-GMO.
- Vegan Buttery Sticks – (Vegan, Soy, Shortening Sticks) All are vegan, lactose-free, gluten-free, expeller-pressed oils, zero trans fat, non-GMO, and certified Kosher.
Miyokos Cultured Vegan Butter
Miyoko’s vegan butter is “European styled cultured” vegan butter. It melts, cooks, bakes, spreads and tastes just like butter. It’s made with organic coconut oil and organic cashews, and without palm oil or milk products. Free of cholesterol, lactose, egg, and gluten. Non-GMO product. No palm oil! Includes an 8 oz. package.
- Ingredients: Organic Coconut Oil, Water, Organic Safflower Oil or Organic Sunflower Oil, Organic Cashews, Soy Lecithin, Sea Salt, and Cultures.
- Includes an 8 oz. package
Melt Organic
Dairy-free, vegan, and nut-free. Made from the healthiest fruit- and plant-based organic oils. MELT Organic melts, sautés, cooks and backed just like dairy butter. Available in original, honey, and chocolate butters. All MELT Organic products are: certified organic, non-GMO (non-GMO Project Verified), kosher pareve, vegan and made with Fair For Life, Fair Trade certified organic virgin coconut oil and Rainforest Alliance certified palm fruit oil. MELT Organic is also soy free, gluten free, and dairy-free. Each serving of MELT is a rich source of the good fats with an ideal balance of Omega-6 to Omega-3 ALAs (that are optimally metabolized with virgin coconut oil), and has 425 mg of Omega-3 ALA (or 26% RDA).
Products include:
- Tubs
Smart Balance
Smart Balance products are made with a blend of expeller-pressed, 100% all non-GMO sourced ingredients, no hydrogenated oils, no partially hydrogenated oils, no trans fat, no palm kernel oil, are gluten free, gelatin free, have no diacetyl added, are an excellent source of Vitamin D (20%), good source of Vitamin A (10%), and excellent source of Omega-3 ALA (25% of 1,600 mg daily value).
Products include:
- Original Buttery Spread – (Light, Omega-3, Light Omega-3, Organic, Low Sodium, With Calcium, HeartRight, and With EVOO)
- Better Butter – (Butter & Canola Oil Blend, Light Butter & Canola Oil Blend, Butter & Canola and EVOO Blend) Made with non-GMO canola oil, 40% less saturated fat than butter, and are an excellent source of Omega-3s.
Spectrum Organics
Spectrum Organics makes an organic shortening crafted from sustainably harvested organic palm oil sourced entirely from small family farmers in Colombia. The products are non-hydrogenated, have no trans fat, are made with mechanically-pressed organic palm oil, have a natural butter flavor (all non-dairy), and annatto and turmeric are added for color.
Products include:
- All Vegetable Shortening – Made with 100% organic expeller pressed palm oil and is non-hydrogenated.
- Canola Oil Spread
I Can’t Believe It’s Not Butter!
I Can’t Believe It’s Not Butter products are made with no artificial flavors, no artificial preservatives, 0 grams trans fat, non-GMO sourced ingredients, no hydrogenated or partially hydrogenated oils, are gluten free, have no cholesterol, and are a source of Omega-3 ALA.
Products include:
- Tubs (Original, Light, Olive Oil Spread)
- All-Purpose Sticks
NUT and SEED BUTTERS
There are many wonderful peanut, walnut, almond, pecan, cashew and sesame seed butters that are extremely healthy and nutritious, are high in protein and offer a nutritious and delicious alternative to dairy and animal products, without the high cholesterol and saturated fat that comes with dairy butters. And they are vegan!
COCONUT BUTTERS
Coconut Manna
Nutiva makes a delicious puréed coconut butter called Coconut Manna. It’s made from fresh, pure, dried coconut flesh, and is so good you can scoop it straight from the jar or warm it up to spread over your favorite bread. This delicious treat contains fiber, protein and nourishing fats. It can be used in smoothies, sauces, dressings, desserts and baked goods.
Coconut Manna is vegan, raw, certified organic, kosher, non-GMO Project Verified, non-hydrogenated, contains no cholesterol or trans fats, is sustainably sourced, locally farmed, high-fructose corn syrup-free, contains no added sugars or sweeteners, is low sodium, has no artificial ingredients, no trans fats, and is pesticide free! No refrigeration is necessary, can be stored at room temperature.
Artisana Coconut Butter
Artisana Organics makes this 100% organic raw whole coconut butter that is made from fresh whole coconut flesh (not just the oil) and puree’d into a fibrous nutritious spread. This delicious spread gives you whole coconut nutrition including the oil, dietary fiber, protein, vitamins and minerals. It’s made from 100% certified organic coconut meat and doesn’t contain any additives. It smells great and tastes even better.
