How to substitute butter: vegan alternatives

It is the question that every vegan must tackle at one point or another: what are the best vegan substitutes for butter?

While the taste and texture of butter may seem hard to replicate there are a few options out there worth trying. We've selected vegan substitutes for butter that are great for cooking and baking. Margarine and other industrial butter substitutes have been omitted since our focus is on natural alternatives.

Looking for the healthiest way to sauté your foods and bake cakes? Here are some of the best vegan substitutes for butter.

Olive oil

This should be in everyone's kitchen. Extra virgin olive oil, the purest of them all, offers a robust taste that highlights the flavour of vegetables. A drizzle over beans, rice or pasta right before serving is ideal. Regular olive oil is great for baking – just make sure you use a bit less than the quantity of butter that is called for in the recipe.

Macadamia oil

A natural oil made from the cold pressing of macadamia nuts. It is versatile in the kitchen and rich in monounsaturated fats and essential fatty acids. A great alternative to olive oil and perfect for baking, frying or drizzling over salads. Of course, it should be avoided by those who suffer from nut allergies.

Rice oil

A delicate oil with a subtle flavour that is appreciated in baked goods. It's a fine oil that adds a nice aroma to sautéed dishes. However, it should be avoided by people with rice allergies.

Extra virgin coconut oil

Widely used in Asian and African cooking this oil has found popularity in the West. It is made from dried coconut pulp and has a high smoke point which makes it ideal for sautéing and frying. In baking, use coconut oil in the same amount called for butter in the recipe.

Avocado pulp

With its rich and creamy texture avocado pulp makes an excellent vegan substitute for butter. This whimsical cake recipe proves it! Avocado is rich in monounsaturated fats and essential fatty acids so using it instead of butter has many health benefits. Use it whipped when added to cake and cookie batters.

Nut butter

Nut butters won’t work as a baking substitute, but they do make great condiments spread on toast or dolloped onto mashed potatoes. Plus you can try everything from peanut to almond and even cashew to keep changing things up.

Vegan butter

Very similar to margarine, vegan butter is usually made from a blend of vegetable oils paired with other natural ingredients such as seeds, nuts and even algae. Make sure you check the components if you suffer from any allergies.

Apple sauce

Mashed fruit can be used in some baking recipes as an alterative to butter. The moist fruit helps provide the perfect consistency, but you may need to adjust some of the other quantities accordingly.

Mashed banana

Mashed banana adds sweetness and creaminess, not to mention potassium, when used as a vegan alternative to butter in baking. It is also fat-free and can be spread on your toast.

This article was updated on 31/07/2023.