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I cannot explain my EXCITEMENT to share this vegan butter recipe!
Pre-vegan, I was a butter lover. I loved it on toast, sandwiches, crumpets, baked potatoes, scones, potato cakes.. you name it. So it’s been an aim of mine to re-create a vegan butter for a while now, and I’ve finally nailed it!
Personally, I don’t like using the supermarket hydrogenated spreads and margarines too often. Don’t get me wrong, there’s nothing wrong with them (in fact they’re brilliant in baking) but I actually don’t think they taste very buttery.
Therefore, I wanted to create a slightly healthier, more creamy, and super buttery vegan butter recipe – and here it is!
Oh, and how about spreading some of this vegan butter on a warm slice of my Chocolate Chip Pumpkin Bread? Mmm.
So, without further ado, here’s how to make vegan butter!
Why Make Vegan Butter at Home?
As I wrote above, as much as the supermarket vegan versions of butter are great and convenient, nothing was quite ‘doing it’ for me. I wanted something more like the real thing (and I think I’ve done it).
This vegan butter recipe looks like butter, spreads like butter, and tastes like butter! In fact, non-vegan family members didn’t even realise this was vegan (whereas usually, with supermarket-bought vegan alternatives, they’re on to me within seconds).
How Do I Store Vegan Butter?
You’ll definitely want to keep this in the fridge. It goes very hard like ‘real’ butter, but a few minutes left out at room temperature will help with that. I’d advise having a butter tray to store it in though! I love this one
Is Vegan Butter Actually Healthy?
Vegan butter can be a healthy alternative to ‘traditional butter’ (made from dairy products), but it depends on the specific ingredients used (and the quantities you consume it in – as with anything, moderation is key).
Some vegan butter brands are made with healthier oils like coconut oil, avocado oil, or olive oil (like mine below), which can provide healthy fats and antioxidants. However, other vegan butter brands may use highly processed oils or additives that are not as healthy.
When choosing a vegan butter, it’s important to read the ingredients list carefully and look for options that are made with natural and minimally processed ingredients. It’s also important to note that like traditional butter, vegan butter is still a high-fat food and should be consumed in moderation as part of a balanced diet.
How Do You Make This Vegan Butter Recipe Taste Like Butter?
Magic! Just kidding.
To give my vegan butter recipe a ‘buttery’ flavour, I’ve used the odourless coconut oil, olive oil, raw cashews and plant milk. Some vegan butters also use nutritional yeast too (which I have to admit, I’ve previously added to this recipe and loved!)
Vegan Butter Recipe: The Ingredients
To make this amazing vegan butter recipe, you’re going to need these ingredients (and here’s why…)
Refined/Odourless Coconut Oil (melted but cooled): Coconut oil is a great ingredient for vegan butter because it is solid at room temperature and has a neutral flavour. The refined/odourless version has had the coconut flavour and aroma removed, so it won’t overpower the other ingredients in your butter. When melted and cooled, it will help give your butter a solid but spreadable texture.
Olive Oil: Adding a small amount of olive oil to your vegan butter recipe can help balance the flavor and add a hint of fruitiness. Olive oil also contains healthy fats that can contribute to the overall texture of your butter.
Raw Cashews (soaked in hot water for an hour before): Cashews are a great source of healthy fats and can help give your vegan butter a rich, creamy texture. Soaking them in hot water beforehand helps soften them up and makes them easier to blend.
Neutral Unsweetened Plant Milk: Plant milk adds moisture and creaminess to your vegan butter recipe, while also helping to blend the other ingredients together. Using a neutral, unsweetened plant milk will keep your butter from being too sweet or overpowering in flavour.
Apple Cider Vinegar: A small amount of apple cider vinegar adds a tangy, slightly acidic flavour to your vegan butter. It also helps to emulsify the other ingredients and keeps them from separating.
Salt: Salt is a crucial ingredient in any butter recipe, as it enhances the overall flavour and can help balance any sweetness from the other ingredients. It also acts as a preservative and helps extend the shelf life of your vegan butter.
Turmeric (optional – for yellow colouring): Turmeric can add a beautiful golden colour to your vegan butter, which can make it look more like traditional butter. It doesn’t contribute much to the flavour or texture, but it can make your butter more visually appealing.
Homemade Vegan Butter (Dairy, Gluten & Soy Free)
Georgina Burgess
Pre-vegan, I was a butter lover. I loved it on toast, sandwiches, crumpets, baked potatoes, scones, potato cakes.. you name it. So it's been an aim of mine to re-create a vegan butter for a while now, and I've finally nailed it!
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Course Side Dish
Ingredients
- 1 Cup Refined/Odourless Coconut Oil (melted but cooled)
- 2 tbsp Olive Oil
- 1/8 Cup Raw Cashews (soak in hot water for an hour before)
- 1/4 Cup Neutral Unsweetened Plant Milk
- 1/2 tsp Apple Cider Vinegar
- 1/2 tsp Salt
- 1 Pinch Turmeric optional – for yellow colouring
Instructions
Pour the melted and cooled coconut oil into a blender along with the cashews, soy milk, apple cider vinegar, sea salt and turmeric (if using)
Blend for 30 secs/1 minute until a creamy liquid has formed
Add the olive oil and quickly blend again until incorporated
Pour into your dish of choice (a butter dish or a ramekin will work well)
Place in the fridge to set for 2-3 hours
Notes
Cover and store in the fridge for up to 1-2 weeks
P.S. I haven’t tried using this butter as an ingredient in baking or frying, I only know that it works for simple uses like spreading.
Keyword vegan side
Is Vegan Butter Healthier For You Than Regular Butter?
In general, vegan butter tends to be lower in saturated fat and cholesterol than regular butter, which can make it a healthier alternative for people who are concerned about their heart health or cholesterol levels.
Regular butter is made from animal milk and contains high levels of saturated fat and cholesterol. Saturated fat has been linked to an increased risk of heart disease, while cholesterol can contribute to the buildup of plaque in the arteries.
Vegan butter, on the other hand, is typically made from plant-based oils such as coconut, canola, or soybean oil, which are lower in saturated fat and free of cholesterol. Many vegan butter products also contain healthy plant-based fats such as nuts and seeds, which can be beneficial for heart health.
That being said, some vegan butter products may contain added oils, salts, and other ingredients that can be unhealthy if consumed in excess. It’s important to read the nutrition labels and ingredient lists carefully and choose vegan butter products that are minimally processed and made with healthy ingredients.
Overall, vegan butter can be a healthier alternative to regular butter for people who are looking to reduce their saturated fat and cholesterol intake, but it’s important to consume it in moderation as part of a balanced and varied diet.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (About My Homemade Vegan Butter)
How Does it Keep?
The butter is best kept in the fridge. However, when using it for spreading, it’s worth taking it out and leaving for 10-15 minutes in room temperature to soften slightly (it does get very hard – like ‘real’ butter)
Can I use Virgin(Unrefined) Coconut Oil?
It’s entirely up to you! I would say though that you get a slight coconut-flavouring when using it which for me, takes away from the whole experience.
Can I add Nutritional Yeast?
It’s funny you ask! I personally feel a small amount adds even more buttery-ness to the butter. However, my family constantly shout at me for adding it to everything, so I’ve left it out of this. But certainly, a small amount (0.5 – 1 tsp) will help!
Why Add Turmeric?
Mostly for colouring. Without it you don’t get quite the same colour as a ‘real’ butter.
What should I eat this butter with?
Definitely my scones recipe!
