15 Top Butter Brands for Baking and Cooking, Ranked

Finding the right butter can make a huge difference when you’re baking or cooking. Not all butters are created equal, and the best ones can take your dishes to the next level with their rich flavors and smooth textures. Whether you’re whipping up pastries, cooking a family dinner, or just spreading some on toast, picking the right butter matters. From classic supermarket staples to small-batch artisanal brands, there are so many options out there, and this list breaks down 15 of the best butters for your kitchen. Each brand has its own unique qualities, so you can find the perfect one to elevate your cooking and baking game.

15. Cabot

Cabot is a staple butter brand in Vermont, renowned for its European-style butter with 83% butterfat. The butter is slow-churned for extra richness and creaminess. Although it is widely available in grocery stores, it lacks the complexity of flavor found in smaller, artisanal brands. Its premium butter comes in both salted and unsalted varieties, ideal for baking and spreading on fresh bread. Cabot is accessible and practical, but in terms of texture and flavor, it falls behind more premium options.

14. Lurpak

Lurpak is a Danish butter brand that combines traditional methods with modern technology to produce butter with 84% butterfat. It is widely recognized for its clean and mild flavor, making it a versatile option in the kitchen. Lurpak’s salted butter has won numerous awards for its high quality. Despite its excellent reputation, it’s relatively easy to find in most grocery stores, making it feel less exclusive than other premium butters. The butter comes in several varieties, including Slightly Salted and Crushed Garlic.

13. Smjör

Smjör is an Icelandic butter made from pasture-raised cows, which are known for their isolation and lack of disease. These unique cows produce a rich, flavorful butter that is gaining popularity in the U.S., thanks to its increasing availability in stores. Smjör offers a delicate balance of flavor that works well for both baking and cooking. Available in both salted and unsalted varieties, Smjör provides an excellent option for enhancing your favorite recipes.

12. Kerrygold

Kerrygold is an Irish butter brand known for its deep yellow hue and rich flavor, due to its high butterfat content. It has a devoted fanbase in the U.S. and is considered a gold standard for supermarket butter. Kerrygold is available in salted and unsalted varieties and is frequently used in both baking and cooking for its consistent quality. Though accessible and well-loved, its ubiquity means it feels less exclusive compared to other artisanal butters.

11. Beppino Occelli

Beppino Occelli is an Italian butter brand made from raw milk, giving it a rich, creamy texture. The butter is hand-embossed into a unique shape and wrapped in wax paper, adding to its artisanal appeal. While it has a stylish presentation, some reviewers find the flavor a bit mild compared to other premium butters. It’s best suited for spreading on bread rather than in baking where stronger flavors are needed.

10. Plugrá

Plugrá is a European-style butter produced in the U.S. with 82% butterfat. The butter is known for its high butterfat content, making it a favorite among bakers for its rich texture. Plugrá has a nutty, grassy flavor and is available in salted and unsalted varieties. While modeled after European traditions, it lacks the flavor complexity found in smaller, artisanal butters. Its wide availability makes it an excellent everyday option, though it may not be the most premium choice for special occasions.

9. Ploughgate Creamery

Ploughgate Creamery, located in Vermont, produces high-quality cultured butter using old-school methods. The butter is made from fresh Vermont cream and has a unique, tangy flavor that’s almost cheese-like. The brand also produces ghee and baking staples, offering both salted and unsalted options. Ploughgate’s butter is widely celebrated in the culinary world, though it comes at a premium price and may be best for adventurous cooks.

8. Paysan Breton

This French butter is produced in Brittany, France, and is known for its salty-sweet flavor and elegant packaging. Paysan Breton is made using local milk from family farms, giving it a distinct taste. Although not as high in butterfat as other European butters, it delivers a delicious tangy flavor. Available in a variety of salt levels, Paysan Breton is an excellent choice for both baking and as a spread.

7. Lewis Road Creamery

Hailing from New Zealand, Lewis Road Creamery produces a highly regarded butter made from grass-fed cows. It’s rich and smooth, thanks to its high butterfat content and traditional churning method. The brand takes pride in its quality, making it a popular choice among home bakers and chefs alike. Lewis Road Creamery is an accessible yet premium option that’s perfect for both baking and cooking.

6. Vermont Creamery

Vermont Creamery has gained popularity for producing cultured butter with a high fat content, which is perfect for enhancing the flavors of baked goods. The butter is made from cow’s milk from local Vermont farms and has a signature French-style tanginess. Although widely available in supermarkets, its quality makes it a standout option for those looking to improve their baking results.

5. Delitia

Delitia Butter of Parma is an Italian luxury butter made from cream sourced from family-run farms. The butter’s fragrant and delicate taste, along with its 83% butterfat content, makes it ideal for baking and cooking. Although only available in unsalted varieties, Delitia remains a top choice for those looking for a premium butter to enhance their recipes.

4. Échiré

Échiré is one of France’s oldest butter brands, known for its rich texture and slightly salty flavor. The butter is churned using wooden churns, a method that has been preserved for over 120 years. Échiré is a favorite among chefs and home bakers alike for its smoothness and versatility in both sweet and savory dishes.

3. Devon Cream Company

The Devon Cream Company produces a silky smooth, golden butter from cows that graze in the British countryside. Although it is only available in lightly salted varieties, it is a top choice for spreading on bread and enhancing pastries. Its rich flavor makes it one of the best British butters.

2. Pascal Beillevaire

Pascal Beillevaire is a French butter brand known for its luxurious and artisanal varieties, including seaweed butter and Beurre Espelette. The butter is made from raw milk and produced using traditional French methods. While not widely available in the U.S., Pascal Beillevaire is a favorite among chefs for its complex flavors and artisanal quality.

1. Rodolphe Le Meunier

Rodolphe Le Meunier is considered one of the best butter brands in the world, made using traditional French methods in the Loire Valley. The butter is produced in wooden churns and hand-molded, creating a creamy, rich flavor that’s perfect for baking and cooking. Its accessibility and rave reviews make it the top choice for home cooks and chefs alike.

This article originally appeared on RetailShout.

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