butter substitute
in pasta.

Butter finishes pasta dishes with glossy richness, helping sauce cling to noodles. In fresh pasta dough, it also adds subtle tenderness.

top substitutes

01

Cream

10.0best for pasta
1 cup : 1 1/2 cup

Whip cold cream to soft peaks for richness; use half the amount as butter, adds silky mouthfeel

02

Half and Half

10.0best for pasta
1 cup : 7/8 cup

Much thinner; use in sauces and soups where butter's richness is needed but solid fat is not

03

Salted Butter

10.0best for pasta
1 tbsp : 1 tbsp

Add pinch of salt per stick

show 17 more substitutes
04

Stick Butter

10.0
1 tbsp : 1 tbsp

Identical product in stick form; no conversion needed, just unwrap and measure as usual

05

Whipped Butter

10.0
3 tbsp : 2 tbsp

Whipped has air, use less regular butter

06

Ghee

10.0
1 tbsp : 1 tbsp

Nutty toasted flavor with higher smoke point; 1:1 swap, dairy-free of casein for lactose-sensitive cooks

07

Clarified Butter (Ghee) Butter

7.5
1 tbsp : 1 tbsp

Pure butterfat with nutty flavor; higher smoke point, use 25% less since no water content

08

Lard

8.0
7/8 cup : 1 cup

Produces flaky pastry crust; use slightly less, lard has no water content unlike butter's 15-20%

09

Heavy Cream

8.0
1 cup : 1/3 cup

Whip to soft peaks for frosting or fold into batters; richer than butter but adds no structure

10

Butter Oil

6.7
1 tbsp : 1 tbsp

Concentrated milk fat without water; use 20% less and add splash of water for baking moisture

11

Shortening

6.7
1 cup : 1 1/8 cup

Produces very flaky crusts and tender cookies; 1:1 by volume, but lacks butter's rich dairy flavor

12

Coconut Oil

6.7
1 cup : 1 cup

Similar solid-at-room-temp texture, adds richness

13

Chicken Fat

6.0
3/4 cup : 1 cup

Savory with rich poultry flavor; best for frying and roasting potatoes, not suitable for sweet baking

14

Greek Yogurt

6.0
1/2 cup : 1 cup

Half the amount, adds tang and moisture

15

Vegetable Oil

5.0
1 cup : 7/8 cup

In baking use 7/8 cup, adds rich flavor

16

Margarine

4.0
1 cup : 1 cup

1:1 swap for baking; softer texture in cookies, less rich flavor, check label for trans fats

17

Applesauce

4.0
1 cup : 1 cup

Use 1/2 cup unsweetened applesauce per cup butter; reduces fat, adds moisture, best in muffins and cakes

18

Olive Oil

4.0
1 tbsp : 1 tbsp

Use 3/4 cup olive oil per cup butter; adds fruity flavor, best in savory breads and pizza dough

19

Avocado Oil

4.0
3/4 cup : 1 cup

Use 3/4 cup oil per cup butter in baking

20

Duck Fat

4.0
1 cup : 1 cup

Savory dishes only, rich flavor for roasting

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