There’s nothing more delicious and decadent than creamy dairy butter. But if you’re overwhelmed or confused by the options in the dairy case, fear not. Here’s our guide to the different types of butter and some of our favorites to buy.
Dairy
Grass-Fed: Kerrygold Pure Irish Butter
This creamy butter is made with milk from grass-fed cows that are nurtured on small, family-run dairy farms in Ireland, where the temperate climate allows herds to graze almost year-round. Hormone- and antibiotic-free, Kerrygold has a rich flavor and golden color, which comes from naturally occurring beta-carotene in the grass.
Pasture-Raised: Vital Farms Pasture-Raised Butter
Dubbed “their grazing girls,” Vital Farms’ dairy cows are pasture-raised in small herds at farms around the southeastern U.S., with no hormones or antibiotics added to their diet. The butter from their milk is slow-churned, resulting in a rich and creamy spread with 85 percent butterfat for great flavor.
Organic: Horizon Organic Butter
Hailing from pasture-raised cows at organic farms around the U.S., Horizon’s butter is USDA-certified organic and non-GMO, with no antibiotics or added hormones. This butter does have a bit of lactic acid as a preservative, but the flavor is still rich and creamy.
Ghee: Simple Truth Organic Ghee with Pink Himalayan Salt
Delicious on toast, ghee is also good for sautéing, searing or frying because of its high smoke point. Simple Truth’s version is made with clarified butter from grass-fed, organically raised cows in India and is non-GMO and lactose- and gluten-free. Added pink Himalayan salt contains calcium, iron, potassium and magnesium.
Plant-based
Miyoko’s Creamery Organic Cultured Vegan Butter
USDA-certified organic, non-GMO, and free of lactose, gluten and soy, this spread is yummy on everything from your morning toast to corn on the cob, or baked into cookies and pastries. Use it 1:1 instead of dairy butter. Made with plant-based ingredients, including coconut and sunflower oils and cashews. There’s also a version made with oat milk.
Country Crock Plant Butter
Known for its buttery spreads, Country Crock’s line of plant butters are dairy-free, gluten-free and certified plant-based by the Plant Based Foods Association. Made with plant-based oils from olives, avocados and almonds, they can be used for everything from cooking to baking to spreading.