The 5 Best and 5 Worst Grocery Store Butter Brands

Butter is a staple in almost every kitchen, but not all brands are created equal. Some butters have a rich, creamy texture and a deep, delicious flavor, while others fall flat with a bland or artificial taste. Whether you are spreading it on toast, baking flaky pastries, or melting it into a sauce, the right butter makes all the difference. European-style butters tend to have a higher butterfat content, making them smoother and more flavorful.

Best – Kerrygold Pure Irish Butter

Kerrygold is one of the most beloved butter brands for a reason. Made from grass-fed cows in Ireland, it has a rich, creamy texture that melts beautifully. The flavor is slightly sweet with a subtle nuttiness, making it a favorite for spreading on toast or baking. Unlike many store-bought butters, it has a deep yellow hue, showing its high butterfat content. This butter works great in recipes where you want a standout, high-quality taste. It is a little pricier than other brands, but the quality makes it worth it. Whether used in cooking or enjoyed on its own, Kerrygold is hard to beat.

Worst – Parkay Spread

Parkay Spread is another margarine-style product that does not belong in the real butter category. It is primarily made from vegetable oils and water, giving it a much softer consistency than traditional butter. The flavor is artificial, with a slightly greasy aftertaste that does not work well for baking or cooking. Since it lacks the butterfat that makes real butter rich and creamy, it does not enhance recipes the same way. It also contains preservatives and artificial flavoring, making it feel less natural than real dairy butter. While it is cheap, it is not a great substitute for those who want true butter quality. If you are after authentic, flavorful butter, Parkay is not the right choice.

Best – Plugrá European Style Butter

Plugrá is an American-made butter, but it follows the European style with higher butterfat content. This makes it incredibly smooth and easy to spread, giving it a gourmet quality. It has a slightly tangy and rich flavor that makes pastries and sauces taste amazing. Bakers love using Plugrá because it adds extra flakiness to pie crusts and a deeper flavor to cookies. It comes in both salted and unsalted versions, making it versatile for cooking and baking. The texture is creamier than standard American butter, making it a favorite for high-end recipes. If you want butter that feels a little fancy, this one is a great choice.

Worst – Land O’Lakes Butter

Land O’Lakes is one of the most recognizable butter brands in the United States, but it does not stand out in quality. It has a mild, almost bland taste that lacks the richness of higher-end butters. The texture is decent but not as creamy as European-style butters. It is a budget-friendly option, but it does not add much flavor when used in cooking or baking. Some people find it to be too salty in the salted version, which can throw off recipes. The company recently changed its packaging and branding, but the product itself remains average at best. If you are looking for something with a more luxurious taste, there are better choices.

Best – Vital Farms Pasture-Raised Butter

Vital Farms has become well-known for its ethical approach to dairy, and its butter reflects that quality. Made from pasture-raised cows, this butter has a smooth texture and a rich, slightly tangy flavor. It has a beautiful golden color, thanks to the cows’ high-quality diet. The butter is slightly firmer than some European styles but still spreads easily when softened. It works beautifully in both cooking and baking, giving dishes a natural creaminess. While it is on the expensive side, the taste and ethical sourcing make it worth considering. If you want high-quality butter with a focus on animal welfare, Vital Farms is a solid choice.

Worst – Blue Bonnet Margarine (Not Real Butter!)

Technically, Blue Bonnet is not real butter—it is margarine, but it still ends up in the butter section of many grocery stores. The texture is much softer than butter, but that is because it contains vegetable oils instead of cream. The taste is artificial and lacks the depth and richness of real dairy butter. It also has added preservatives and artificial flavors, which do not compare to real butter’s simple ingredients. While it is cheap, it does not perform well in baking and can make recipes turn out greasy. Some people use it as a spread, but even then, the taste is not great. If you want real butter flavor, skip Blue Bonnet and go for the real thing.

Best – Président French Butter

Président French Butter is a top-tier option for those who love a rich, creamy texture. Made in France, it follows traditional European butter-making methods, resulting in a high butterfat content. This gives it a velvety smooth consistency and a deep, slightly tangy flavor. It spreads beautifully on bread and enhances the flavor of sauces, pastries, and baked goods. The unsalted version is a favorite among chefs who want full control over seasoning. While it costs more than standard American butter, the taste and texture make it feel like a luxury. If you love authentic French flavors, Président is a fantastic choice.

Worst – Country Crock Plant Butter

Country Crock markets its Plant Butter as a dairy-free alternative, but it does not come close to real butter in taste or texture. It is made primarily from vegetable oils, which makes it softer and oilier than traditional butter. While it is an option for those avoiding dairy, it lacks the rich, creamy taste of real butter. It also does not perform well in baking, often leading to a greasy or overly soft texture in recipes. The flavor has a slightly artificial aftertaste, which can be noticeable when used on toast or in cooking. Some people appreciate it for dietary reasons, but for those who want true butter quality, it is disappointing. If you are looking for a rich, flavorful butter, this one is not the best option.

Best – Danish Creamery Butter

Danish Creamery Butter is a hidden gem that offers a rich, smooth, and creamy texture. Made from high-quality dairy, it has a slightly nutty and naturally sweet flavor. It has a deep yellow color, showing its high butterfat content and minimal processing. This butter is a great choice for both cooking and baking, adding a velvety richness to every dish. It comes in both salted and unsalted versions, with the salted one having just the right balance of flavor. The consistency is firm yet spreadable, making it perfect for toast, pastries, and sauces. If you want a premium butter without a hefty price tag, Danish Creamery is an excellent pick.

Worst – Great Value Butter

Great Value Butter is Walmart’s store-brand option, and while it is budget-friendly, it falls short in flavor and texture. It has a pale color and a mild taste, lacking the richness found in higher-quality butters. The texture is slightly waxy, making it less enjoyable to spread or melt evenly in recipes. It works fine for general cooking, but when used in baking, it does not provide the same depth of flavor. The salted version can taste overly processed, with an unnatural level of saltiness. It is one of the cheapest butter options, but you get what you pay for. If you want butter with real depth, this is not the one to choose.

This article originally appeared on RetailShout.

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