Discover the Top 8 Spreadable Butter Alternatives for 2023

The growing popularity of spreadable butter alternatives reflects a desire for convenience and versatility in the kitchen. These products are easy to use straight from the fridge, minimizing waste compared to traditional butter. Unlike hard blocks of butter, which can tear bread, spreadable options offer a mess-free solution, especially for children. Yet, the question remains: how do these alternatives stack up in taste, fat content, and overall quality?

The analysis of various spreadable butter alternatives available in supermarkets reveals that while many of them are lighter, their fat content can still be significant. With a focus on flavour rather than health benefits, here are eight noteworthy options.

Kerrygold Irish Creamery Butter

Kerrygold Irish Creamery Butter stands out with its simple ingredients: cream and 1.8% salt. This product offers an authentic butter experience, with a creamy texture achieved through a unique process that enhances the softness of milk fat. Priced at €5.49 for a 400g package, it is a full-fat option, containing 80% fat. While not ideal for those monitoring cholesterol, it is celebrated for its rich, unadulterated flavour.

Flora Natural Ingredients Original

Flora’s plant-based spread, made from rapeseed and sunflower oils, offers a healthier alternative without palm oil. This whipped product combines water, coconut fat, faba bean preparation, and lecithin to create a creamy texture. With a fat content of 70% and a price of €3.50 for 450g, it provides a balanced taste enhanced by natural flavourings and vitamin A. Tasters scored it 8.5 out of 10.

Connacht Gold Half-Fat Butter

Connacht Gold offers a half-fat butter option at €4.39 for 454g, containing 40% fat. This spread is made from butter (49%), water, and milk protein, creating a satisfying flavour with 1.1% salt. Tasters appreciated its taste, particularly for those who are conscious of their weight, scoring it 9.

Suma Sunflower Spread

Suma’s sunflower spread, priced at €4.63 for 550g, is crafted from 40% sunflower oil and water, along with palm oil sourced from sustainable suppliers. With a 59% fat content and a salt level of 0.8%, this blend received an 8 from tasters, though some noted its oily texture.

Dairygold Original

Dairygold combines cream, palm oil, and rapeseed oil for a smooth spread, priced at €3.99 for 454g. Despite its 63% fat content, tasters expressed that it lacked richness, resulting in a score of 8.5.

Dunnes Cholesterol Lowering Spread

Dunnes’ cholesterol-lowering spread contains water, rapeseed oil, palm oil, and plant sterol esters, which help reduce bad cholesterol levels. Priced at €3.19 for 500g, this option has a fat content of 34% and a lower salt level of 0.64%. It received a score of 7.5.

Tesco Butter Me Up

Tesco’s Butter Me Up blend is a budget-friendly option at just €1.99 for 1kg. This spread contains 59% vegetable fats from rapeseed and palm oil, along with 12% reconstituted Irish buttermilk for added flavour. The salt content is 1.3%, and its affordability reflects a higher water content, resulting in a score of 8.

Lidl Casaburo Olive Spread

Lidl’s Casaburo Olive Spread features only 10% olive oil, with rapeseed and palm oils making up the bulk of the ingredients. This product is priced at a mere €1.15 for 500g and contains 59% fat. While it boasts a light texture with 0.94% saltiness, tasters found it lacking in olive flavour, scoring it 7.

In summary, these eight alternatives provide a range of options for consumers seeking convenience and flavour in their spreads. From traditional butters to innovative plant-based blends, the market offers choices that cater to diverse tastes and dietary preferences.