Dairy
Vegan alternative to butter
Short answer
Vegan block butter (Naturli, Flora Plant, Miyoko's) is the best all-round replacement for butter — baking, laminated pastry, spreading. 1:1 by weight for blocks; use 80% of the weight when swapping in liquid oil.
Why butter isn't vegan
Churned from cow's cream, so it is a dairy product.
Best vegan substitutes
| Substitute | Best for |
|---|---|
| Vegan block butter (Naturli, Flora Plant, Miyoko's) | Baking, laminated pastry, spreading |
| Refined coconut oil | Frying and cookies — no coconut taste |
| Olive oil | Sautéing, focaccia, savoury bakes |
| Cashew butter thinned with plant milk | Sauces and mash |
Conversion ratio
1:1 by weight for blocks; use 80% of the weight when swapping in liquid oil.
Pro tip
For flaky pastry, choose a block with 75%+ fat and keep it fridge-cold — soft tub spreads leak water and make dough soggy.
Frequently asked questions
- What is the best vegan alternative to butter?
- Vegan block butter (Naturli, Flora Plant, Miyoko's) is the closest all-round swap — baking, laminated pastry, spreading. 1:1 by weight for blocks; use 80% of the weight when swapping in liquid oil.
- Why isn't butter vegan?
- Churned from cow's cream, so it is a dairy product.
- How much do I use instead of butter?
- 1:1 by weight for blocks; use 80% of the weight when swapping in liquid oil.
- Any tips for getting it right?
- For flaky pastry, choose a block with 75%+ fat and keep it fridge-cold — soft tub spreads leak water and make dough soggy.
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