What Is Vegan Butter Made Out of? From Plant to Spread

CookUnity | 3/29/2023

More and more people are going towards a plant-based diet for various reasons, including ethical, environmental, and health concerns. Vegan butter, in particular, offers a delicious alternative to traditional butter while being completely free of animal products. But what exactly is vegan butter made out of?

Vegan butter is made of plant-based oils, nuts and seeds. It doesn't contain any animal-derived ingredients. To create the real butter-like texture and consistency of vegan butter, oils are emulsified with either water or plant-based milk. A vegan food texturizer, such as lecithin, may also be used.

Understanding its ingredients is essential for those, who follow a vegan lifestyle or are looking to reduce their consumption of animal products.

In this article, we'll dive into the world of vegan butter, exploring its key components and shedding light on what makes it a popular choice for those seeking a plant-based lifestyle.

Key Takeaways

Vegan butter is a plant-based alternative to normal butter made from vegetable oils, nuts, and seeds and is free from animal products.
Vegan butter differs from traditional butter in terms of its source, fat content, cholesterol content, taste, spreadability, melting point, price, and sustainability.
The ingredients used in vegan butter are combined with other flavorings to create a smooth and creamy texture that can be used in many recipes.

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What Is Vegan Butter?

Vegan butter is a non-dairy butter substitute made from plant-based ingredients. It is typically made from a blend of vegetable oils such as coconut, palm, or soybean and other natural ingredients such as nuts, seeds, and even algae. This makes it a great alternative for those who:

Follow a vegan diet
Are lactose intolerant
Have other dietary restrictions

Differences Between Vegan Butter and Traditional Butter

There are many differences between traditional and vegan butter. The table below highlights the key differences.

Features	Vegan Butter	Traditional Butter
Source	Made from plant-based oils such as coconut, canola, or soybean	Made from animal milk, usually cow's milk
Fat Content	Typically lower, around 60-80% fat	Typically higher, around 80-85% fat
Saturated Fat	Generally lower, around 5-6 grams per serving	Generally higher, around 7-8 grams per serving
Trans Fat	Typically none or very low levels	It may contain small amounts of trans fat due to processing
Cholesterol	None, since it is a plant-based product	Contains cholesterol, around 30mg per serving
Calories	Typically lower, around 60-100 calories per serving	Higher, around 100-120 calories per serving
Taste	Mostly similar, but may have a slight plant-based aftertaste	Creamier, with a rich buttery flavor
Spreadability	Generally softer and easier to spread, especially when cold	Harder and less spreadable, especially when cold
Melting Point	Mostly lower, so it may not perform as well in baking or frying	Higher, so it performs well in baking or frying
Price	Typically higher because it uses plant-based ingredients and production costs.	Lower, due to the abundance of dairy products and economies of scale

Ingredients in Vegan Butter

Vegan butter is made with various ingredients that are free from animal products. While there are many different recipes and methods for making vegan butter, a few common ingredients are used in most products on the market.

These include vegetable oils, nuts, and seeds, which create a creamy and spreadable texture and add flavor and nutrition to the final product. Let's take a better look at these popular ingredients.

Vegetable Oil Vegetable oils are one of the most common ingredients to make vegan butter. These oils, which can come from various sources such as coconut, palm, or canola oil, are typically used as the base for the butter. They are high in healthy fats and have a neutral flavor, making them a versatile ingredient in many different recipes. Vegetable oils are often blended with other ingredients, such as nut or seed milks, to create a richer, creamier texture.
Nuts Nuts are another popular ingredient in vegan butter. Cashews and almonds are two of the most commonly used nuts, as they are high in fat and can be easily blended into a smooth, buttery texture. Nut-based butter tends to be rich and flavorful, with a slightly nutty taste that adds depth to recipes. They are also high in protein and other nutrients, which makes them a healthy addition to any diet.
Seeds Seeds, such as sunflower or pumpkin seeds, are also used in vegan butter. These seeds are typically ground into a fine powder and mixed with other ingredients to create a smooth, creamy texture. Seeds add a slightly earthy, nutty flavor to the butter, which can complement other ingredients. Additionally, seeds are high in protein, fiber, and other nutrients, which makes them a great source of nutrition.

How Are the Vegan Butter Ingredients Combined?

Using Vegan Butter And Margarine In Cooking And Baking: Savory To Sweet

Vegan butter ingredients (vegetable oils, nuts, and seeds) are typically mixed with other flavorings, such as salt, nutritional yeast, or herbs to create a rich and flavorful product. The ingredients are blended until they reach a smooth and creamy texture, which you can use in place of traditional butter in a wide range of recipes.

Vegan Butter Recipe with Cashew

Here is a simple recipe for vegan butter made with cashews:

Ingredients:

1 cup raw cashews, soaked overnight
1/2 cup refined coconut oil, melted
1/4 cup water
1 tablespoon nutritional yeast
1 tablespoon lemon juice
1/2 teaspoon salt

Instructions:

Drain and rinse the soaked cashews.
In a blender or food processor, blend the cashews, melted coconut oil, water, nutritional yeast, lemon juice, and salt until smooth and creamy.
Pour the mixture into a jar and refrigerate until firm—wait at least 2 hours.
Once the vegan butter has solidified, you can use it just like traditional dairy butter.

Nutritional Information of Vegan Butter

Vegan butter is made from various vegetable oils, such as sunflower, coconut, or soybean. It is a popular choice among individuals who follow a vegan or lactose-free diet or want to reduce their intake of animal products.

Regarding nutritional value, vegan butter has similarities and differences compared to traditional butter and other plant-based spreads. Here is a breakdown of the nutritional information of vegan butter per 1 tablespoon (14 grams) serving:

Calories: 100
Total fat: 11 grams
Saturated fat: 7.2 grams
Trans fat: 0 grams
Cholesterol: 0 milligrams
Sodium: 90 milligrams
Total carbohydrates: 0 grams
Protein: 0 grams

Comparison of Nutritional Value of Vegan Butter and Other Types of Butter

Compared to traditional butter, which has 100 calories and 11 grams of fat per serving, vegan butter has similar calorie and fat content. However, vegan butter has less saturated fat, which is considered a less healthy type of fat than traditional butter.

Compared to other plant-based spreads, such as olive oil and avocado, vegan butter has more calories and saturated fat. However, vegan butter contains less unsaturated fat, considered a healthier type of fat, than olive oil and avocado spread.

Here is a comparison of the nutritional value of vegan butter, traditional butter, olive oil, and avocado spread per tablespoon (14 grams).

Nutrient	Vegan Butter	Traditional Butter	Olive Oil	Avocado Spread
Calories	100	100	120	70
Total Fat	11g	11g	14g	6g
Saturated Fat	7g	7g	2g	1g
Trans Fat	0g	0.5g	0g	0g
Cholesterol	0mg	30mg	0mg	0mg
Sodium	90mg	90mg	0mg	50mg
Total Carbohydrates	0g	0g	0g	2g
Protein	0g	0g	0g	1g

What Is Vegan Butter Made out of? FAQs

Q: Is Vegan Butter Healthy?

A: Vegan butter can be a healthier option than traditional dairy butter, as it is typically made from plant-based oils instead of animal fats. However, not all vegan butter is created equal, and some may be highly processed or contain added ingredients like preservatives or emulsifiers. It's important to read the ingredient list and nutrition information carefully to ensure that you choose a vegan butter that fits your dietary needs and preferences.

Q: Is Vegan Butter Margarine?

A: Vegan butter and margarine are similar in that they are both plant-based spreads that you can use in place of traditional dairy butter. However, there are some differences between them. Margarine is typically made from a blend of vegetable oils, while you may make vegan butter from various plant-based ingredients, such as nuts or coconut oil. Some vegan butter brands may also contain nutritional yeast or apple cider vinegar to give them a buttery flavor.

Q: Vegan Butter Vs. Margarine

A: While vegan butter and margarine are both plant-based spreads, there are some differences. Vegan butter is typically made from a blend of plant-based oils and may contain additional ingredients like nuts or nutritional yeast to give it a buttery flavor.

On the other hand, margarine is typically made from a blend of vegetable oils and may contain added emulsifiers or preservatives.

Additionally, some vegan butter brands may be lower in saturated fat compared to margarine, which can be a healthier option for some people. The choice between vegan butter and margarine will depend on preference and dietary needs.

Conclusion

Vegan butter is a healthy and sustainable alternative to traditional butter made from dairy ingredients. It offers many health benefits, including cholesterol-free and lower calories and saturated fat. Vegan butter can be made from a combination of vegetable oils, nuts, and seeds and is often blended with flavorings to create a rich and delicous product.

Whether you've become a vegan or simply looking to reduce your consumption of animal products, vegan butter is a delicious and versatile option that can be used in many recipes. So, why not make vegan butter at home and experience the many benefits of this tasty and sustainable alternative to traditional butter?

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