3 proven alternatives for baking, cooking, and more
RATIO:
1:1
BEST FOR:
BAKING CONTEXT:
Perfect for baking.
💡 PRO TIPS:
Use stick form for baking accuracy.
RECOMMENDED BRANDS:
Earth Balance, Miyoko's
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RATIO:
1:1
BEST FOR:
BAKING CONTEXT:
Works well in baking.
💡 PRO TIPS:
Use refined for neutral taste.
RECOMMENDED BRANDS:
Dr. Bronner's
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RATIO:
3/4 cup = 1 cup butter
BEST FOR:
BAKING CONTEXT:
Not ideal (flavor).
💡 PRO TIPS:
Use less oil due to liquid consistency.
RECOMMENDED BRANDS:
Extra virgin
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| Substitute | Best For | Flavor | Texture | Cost vs Butter |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Vegan Butter Sticks | Everything! Baking, cooking, spreading | Buttery, neutral | Identical to dairy butter | Similar (~$0.30-0.50/tbsp) |
| Coconut Oil (refined) | Baking, roasting | Neutral | Solid when cold, melts easily | Cheaper (~$0.15/tbsp) |
| Coconut Oil (virgin) | Tropical baked goods | Coconut flavor | Solid when cold | Cheaper (~$0.20/tbsp) |
| Olive Oil | Savory cooking, sautéing | Olive/fruity | Liquid | Varies widely |
| Applesauce | Low-fat baking only | Mild sweet | Dense, moist | Very cheap (~$0.10/tbsp) |
Quick Decision Guide: Need 1:1 replacement? → Vegan butter sticks (easiest). Baking cookies/cakes? → Refined coconut oil (cheaper, works great). Sautéing vegetables? → Olive oil or vegan butter. Want to spread on toast? → Vegan butter only (coconut oil is hard when cold). Making frosting? → Vegan butter sticks work perfectly.
Best: Vegan butter sticks, refined coconut oil
Why: Solid fats create flaky, tender textures. Coconut oil mimics butter's melting point.
Pro tip: Use stick form (not tubs) for accurate measuring. Chill coconut oil-based dough 30 min before baking.
Best: Vegan butter, olive oil, coconut oil
Why: High smoke points. Vegan butter adds flavor, oils are neutral or complement savory dishes.
Pro tip: Medium heat only for vegan butter (burns easier than dairy). High heat OK for coconut/olive oil.
Best: Vegan butter (tub or stick)
Why: Soft, spreadable at room temp. Melts like dairy butter.
Pro tip: Miyoko's is most butter-like. Earth Balance is softer. Coconut oil is too hard when cold.
Best: Vegan butter sticks only
Why: Needs to hold shape and whip into buttercream. Coconut oil melts too easily.
Pro tip: Use stick form, not tubs (tubs have more water). Chill frosted cakes if using coconut oil.
Avoid these common pitfalls when substituting butter in your recipes.
Why it happens: Coconut oil has a lower melting point than butter (76°F vs 90-95°F). Cookies spread faster in the oven.
✅ The Fix:
Why it happens: Tub-style vegan butter has higher water content. Coconut oil melts at room temperature.
✅ The Fix:
Why it happens: Using virgin/unrefined coconut oil which has strong coconut flavor.
✅ The Fix:
Why it happens: Vegan butter has lower smoke point than dairy butter. Some brands burn easily.
✅ The Fix:
💡 Pro Tip: Keep both vegan butter AND refined coconut oil in your kitchen. Use butter for spreading and frosting. Use coconut oil for baking and high-heat cooking. Having both gives you flexibility!
Honest comparison of how vegan butter substitutes perform vs dairy butter.
Vegan Butter: 95% identical to dairy butter. Miyoko's is closest. Earth Balance slightly oilier.
Refined Coconut Oil: Completely neutral, no coconut taste at all.
Virgin Coconut Oil: Strong coconut flavor (only use if you want that!).
Olive Oil: Fruity, savory. Great for cooking, wrong for cookies.
Baked Goods: Nearly identical! Cookies may be slightly softer (good thing). Cakes are tender.
Pastries: Vegan butter makes flaky pie crust and croissants. Coconut oil can make them crumbly.
Frosting: Vegan butter whips perfectly. Holds shape well when chilled.
Spreading: Softer than dairy butter. Melts nicely on hot toast.
Color: Vegan butter is yellower (from beta-carotene). Coconut oil is white.
Browning: Similar browning in baked goods. May brown 1-2 min faster.
Texture: Cookies look identical. Cakes have same crumb.
Separation: Some brands separate when melted (just stir).
✅ Nobody will notice: In 99% of recipes, vegan butter performs identically to dairy butter.
✅ Cookies are better: Many people prefer vegan cookies - they stay softer longer and have chewier texture.
✅ Frosting works great: Vegan buttercream is indistinguishable from dairy. Seriously.
✅ Cost similar: Vegan butter costs about the same as premium dairy butter. Coconut oil is cheaper for baking.
Yes, for 95% of recipes! Vegan butter sticks work 1:1 in:
Exception: Coconut oil needs ¾ cup per 1 cup butter due to different fat content.
Pro tip: Use STICK form for accuracy in baking, not tub form (tubs have more water content).
Huge difference in flavor and use cases!
Refined Coconut Oil (Neutral):
Virgin/Unrefined Coconut Oil (Coconut Flavor):
Bottom line: For general baking, buy REFINED. Save virgin for when you want coconut flavor!
Top picks for different needs:
🏆 Best Overall: Earth Balance Baking Sticks
🧈 Most Butter-Like: Miyoko's Cultured Butter
💰 Budget-Friendly: Country Crock Plant Butter Sticks
Pro tip: All work great! Start with Earth Balance (best value + performance). Try Miyoko's for special occasions.
Yes! It's easier than you think. Homemade vegan butter costs less and you control ingredients.
Basic Recipe (Makes ~1 cup):
Instructions:
Pros: Cheaper ($2 vs $5). No additives. Customizable flavor.
Cons: Takes time. May separate slightly. Store-bought more convenient.
This is normal! It's an emulsion issue, not a quality problem.
Why it happens:
Does it ruin recipes? No! It's just cosmetic.
How to prevent it: Use medium-low heat instead of high heat. Don't overheat. Stir regularly.
Bottom line: Separation is cosmetic. Just stir and use normally!
Yes, but results vary by recipe. Here's the truth:
✅ Works Great (Use Oil):
❌ Doesn't Work Well (Need Solid Fat):
Health note: Oil has same calories as butter (120 cal/tbsp). Coconut oil has saturated fat similar to butter. Olive/avocado oil have healthier fats but aren't "low-calorie."
Shelf life and storage tips:
Refrigerated (Opened):
Frozen:
Signs it's gone bad:
Pro tip: Buy in bulk when on sale and freeze extras. Vegan butter often goes on sale 2-for-1!
⚠️ Disclaimer
This tool provides general information about vegan ingredient substitutions based on common cooking practices. Results may vary based on recipe specifics, brands, and cooking methods. Always check ingredient labels for allergens and dietary restrictions. We are not nutritionists or medical professionals. Consult a healthcare provider for specific dietary advice. Some information may be AI-generated — verify critical details with trusted sources.