How To Swap Salted and Unsalted Butter | Go Bold With Butter (2024)

FAQs

How To Swap Salted and Unsalted Butter | Go Bold With Butter? ›

Adjust Salt

In a pinch, you can replace unsalted butter with salted, as long as you reduce the amount of additional salt in the recipe. For instance, if a recipe calls for 1/2 cup unsalted butter, plus 1/2 teaspoon salt, you could substitute 1/2 cup salted butter (which typically — though not always!!

Some recipes call for salted butter but if you only have unsalted butter, don't worry, there's an incredibly easy way to get it to work for the recipe you're using. Use ¼ teaspoon of salt for 8 tablespoons of butter. Keep in mind that one stick of butter is a ½ cup.

These somewhat unexpected results from our test kitchen reveal that yes, you can use certain types of margarine in place of butter when cooking and baking, but the final product may not taste exactly as intended. Though speaking from experience, it will still be quite tasty.

UNSALTED BUTTER has less salt and lower water content. In baking, butter with a low water content is preferred, since excess water can interfere with how the gluten develops. You may notice a positive difference in baked goods that use unsalted butter, specifically in taste and texture.

You can use salted butter instead of unsalted butter if that's all you've got — especially if you're making something simple like cookies where the chemistry of adding salt in a specific amount and at a certain time won't have a meaningful impact on the outcome (as it would with yeasted bread).

It goes with out saying that butter is the key ingredient to this frosting. You can use salted or unsalted butter and opinions are divided on which is best. Many recipes for this icing suggest unsalted. However a little salt brings out the flavour so they then often add salt.

Most brands of salted butter contain between 600 and 900 mg of sodium, or about ¼ to ½ of a teaspoon of salt, per stick. Unsalted butter contains some sodium, said Sam Barton, Organic Valley senior food technologist.

Both salted butter and unsalted butter can be used interchangeably in any recipe, but if the recipe calls specifically for unsalted butter, it's probably because the recipe has been tested with it and is preferred for that particular recipe.

One full stick of butter equals 1/2 cup, or 8 tablespoons. Our half sticks equal 1/4 cup of butter, or 4 tablespoons. They can be used interchangeably in recipes.

What to do if there is no unsalted butter? ›

What can I use as a substitute for unsalted butter? You can use salted butter, vegetable shortening, coconut oil, avocado, applesauce, or full-fat Greek yogurt. Olive oil is also an excellent alternative due to its versatility and health benefits.

Yes! Country Crock^® is great for cooking and baking. Certain Country Crock^® products can be swapped 1:1 for butter in cooking and baking recipes: Country Crock^® Baking Sticks and Country Crock^® Plant Butter sticks and tubs.

But when you're baking, butter triumphs over margarine every time. For cakes, cookies, and pastries, butter (unsalted, that is) provides richer flavor. (It begins as cream, after all, and margarine is made from vegetable oil.) Butter's high fat content is also what gives baked goods their texture.

So here's a simple rule of thumb to use so you can make the recipe with unsalted butter. Just remember, for every half cup (1 stick or ¼ lb) of salted butter required, you can add ¼ teaspoon of salt to Challenge Unsalted Butter.

To go from unsalted to salted, use the same amount of butter but add ¼ teaspoon of salt.

Keep the right type on the counter

Unsalted butter is fine at room temperature, but salted butter is better. In fact, salted butter can sit out on the countertop for a longer period of time without spoiling, since salt is a natural preservative, Bell explains. That means the salt protects against bacterial growth.

Keep the right type on the counter

Unsalted butter is fine at room temperature, but salted butter is better. In fact, salted butter can sit out on the countertop for a longer period of time without spoiling, since salt is a natural preservative, Bell explains. That means the salt protects against bacterial growth.

Make a Hot Water Bath

Pour hot water into a ceramic or glass cup or bowl (something that can fit over your butter). After a few minutes, dump the water out of the vessel and quickly cover your butter. The heat from the cup will soften your butter in just a few minutes.