The 7 Best Substitutes for Butter Extract

Butter extract is incredibly useful for those of us who love the taste of real butter but want to avoid the high calorie and high fat content of this dairy product.

Just a small amount of butter extract has the ability to transform our baked and savory dishes into something magnificent.

But if you’ve run out of this versatile ingredient, what’s the best substitute for butter extract?  You can use other ingredients like vanilla extract, olive oil, and apple sauce as substitutes for the butter extract. If you’re looking for an ingredient that tastes as close to butter extract as possible, using real butter is your best bet.

Do you have a favorite recipe that normally includes butter extract, but your bottle has run out?

Do not panic! These substitutes will keep your culinary endeavors tasting delicious. Let’s look at the 7 best substitutes for butter extract and how to use them.

What is butter extract?

Butter extract is a smart and versatile ingredient that is made with real butter. You know when you add butter to a dish and it instantly tastes richer and more decadent?

Well, butter extract does exactly that, without adding any calories or fat!

This nifty ingredient typically contains extracts of butter (no big surprise!), water, and alcohol.

It is designed to add the richness and texture we get from using butter in our savory and pastry dishes. Butter extract has a mild buttery flavor that won’t overpower your plate.

There’s a good reason people love butter extract. This simple ingredient adds a rich buttery flavor to sweet and savory dishes, without the calories and fat content of butter.

Butter extract is typically non-dairy, sugar-free, and gluten-free. However, as butter extract is derived from butter, it is not normally considered a vegan product, as it contains milk proteins.

Is Butter Extract the same as Butter Flavor?

Butter extract and butter flavoring are very similar, but there are some subtle differences.

Butter Extract will give you the richness you would expect when adding butter to a recipe, but without a strong buttery taste. 

Butter flavoring imparts a sweet buttery flavor and is most commonly used in baking in the same way as vanilla essence.

Very confusingly though, you can also get butter flavored extract, which is a combination of the two! Many butter extracts also include additional flavorings, to give a richer, butterier flavor.

What is butter extract used for?

Butter extract can be used in both sweet and savory dishes to enhance the flavor of your recipes.

When it comes to baking, butter extract can be used in any recipe that calls for butter.

You can use a small amount in addition to the butter, to increase the richness of the recipe. This simple adjustment can take your pastry and cookies to the next level.

On the other hand, if you want to swap butter for healthier fats without losing flavor, butter extract can be your helper on this one.

Many of us are trying to reduce our butter intake and would like to use healthier fats and oils, such as olive oil.  Adding a dash of butter extract allows us to do this without losing the butter flavor.

If you are fond of pancakes and waffles, butter extract can be used to enhance the flavor of the batter mix.

You can also add it to pastry dough and cookie and brownie recipes. A little bit of butter extract in the frosting will make it a delicious butter frosting.

When it comes to savory recipes, butter extract is amazing for adding richness and depth of flavor to your cooking.

Use it in place of the butter if you’re looking for a healthy change, or add a bit more alongside the butter if you’re feeling indulgent.

There is one thing you should keep in mind when using butter extract in your savory dishes, and that is to check if the butter extract contains any other ingredients.

For example, some butter extracts are sweetened or may contain vanilla essence. This is not always a welcome addition to your savory recipes.

If you are going to sauté vegetables, the butter extract can be used along with a healthy oil, such as sunflower oil.

This gives you a dairy-free alternative to stir-frying in butter, without sacrificing delicious flavor. In fact, butter extract can be added to any frying oil to add richness and flavor to your grilled foods.

Butter extract is also a great addition to casseroles, stews, roasts, and marinades ; basically anything that cooks slowly for long periods of time.

The rich flavor will blend perfectly with your other ingredients, taking flavor to a new level of intensity.

The 7 Best Substitutes for Butter Extract

Now that we’ve got you excited about butter extract, we need to think about what you can use as a substitute for this amazing ingredient.

There are plenty of options available, so don’t be discouraged if your supply of butter extract runs out.

Here are the 7 best substitutes for butter extract:

1. The best dairy option: butter

If you want a flavor that is as close to butter extract as possible, the best option is to use real butter. It stands to reason that the best substitute for a butter-flavored product is the real thing!

Butter is one of those ingredients that adds an unmistakable rich, silky texture to cooking and baking.

Anyone who has baked with real butter will tell you that there is nothing like it to bring your cake recipes to life. So if you’ve run out of butter extract, try the original product!

The important thing to note about using real butter as a substitute for butter extract is that it will increase the amount of fat and oil in your recipe.

So depending on what you’re making, you may need to decrease the amount of other fats and oils accordingly.

Also remember to check if your butter is salted or unsalted. Most baking recipes call for unsalted butter, while salted butter can work well in savory dishes.

Real butter is a dairy product, so this substitute is not suitable for vegans. Butter also contains small amounts of lactose.

2. The best vegan option: vegan butter

The most frustrating thing about butter extract is that it is not suitable for vegans. So if you’re cooking for a vegan guest, or avoiding animal-based ingredients yourself, what can you substitute for butter extract?

Luckily, butter manufacturers have not neglected the vegan community. There is now a wide range of vegan butters, which are so close to the real thing that you will have a hard time telling them apart.

Most vegan butters are made with a carefully formulated blend of oils to come as close to the taste of real butter as possible. They may also contain natural colors, flavors, and preservatives.

Just like with real butter, when baking with vegan butter instead of butter extract you’ll need to adjust the amount of oil in your recipe accordingly.

3. The best substitute for baking: the taste of butter

If you want to use butter extract in your baking, chances are you’re already using an alternative oil or fat.

This could be because you want a healthier option, or you’re making a recipe that calls for oil instead of butter, like sticky brownie mix.

But what if you want the taste of butter in your cakes, cookies, and brownies? Well, bring in the butter flavoring!

Unlike butter extract, butter flavoring is highly concentrated and will add a rich buttery flavor to your recipe.

It won’t alter your recipe in any other way, so try adding a few drops to your next batch and enjoy the results.

4. The best substitute for pancakes and waffles: vanilla extract

If you’re looking for a way to take your sweet dough mix-ins to the next level, grab the Vanilla Extract Jar!

Vanilla extract, made by soaking vanilla beans in alcohol and water, will add the distinctive rich, creamy and warm flavor of vanilla to your morning pancakes and waffles.

A light hint of vanilla in the batter mix will work great with all your favorite toppings, adding sweetness without increasing the calorie count.

We love the vanilla waffles with fresh fruit and yogurt - a perfectly balanced and satisfying breakfast!

Vanilla extract has been a pantry staple for many years, and most of us used it long before butter extract came along. So if you don’t have butter extract, try vanilla.

This substitute will also work well in any sweet baked recipe, but we don’t recommend trying it in savory dishes.

5. The best substitute for salty dishes: olive oil

Are you trying to include more healthy oils in your diet? Olive oil has a unique flavor profile that can make it a great substitute for butter extract, especially in savory dishes.

The reason we like butter extract in cooking is that it adds a velvety richness to our recipes. One of the good things about olive oil is that it is one of the few ingredients that can emulate it.

So next time you want to sauté some veggies, try adding olive oil instead of butter extract. You could be pleasantly surprised! The rich oil will coat the vegetables, giving it an incredibly rich and fruity flavor.

We do have a caveat when using olive oil as a substitute for butter extract, especially if you have a bottle of extra virgin olive oil.

It has a very low smoke point and should not be used for frying or grilling food at high temperatures.

6. The best substitute for butter in baking

If you’re looking for a substitute for butter extract for cakes, cookies, and brownies, nut butter could be the perfect solution to this problem.

Any kind of nut butter would work, but the ones with the most butter flavor are walnut, almond, and cashew. You may also prefer to use a mixture of nut butter.

The best thing about nut butters is that they are all vegan friendly as they do not contain any dairy products. However, remember that people with nut allergies cannot eat nut butter!

To use nut butter in baking, simply use it to replace one of the other fats in the recipe. For example, when making brownies, reduce the oil by half and add nut butter to compensate.

You will be rewarded with a rich, intense and very buttery flavor!

7. The Best Oil-Free Substitute: Applesauce

Often the reason we use butter extract is that we want to reduce the level of oil and fat in our baking. If this is the case, apple sauce can have the same effect!

Applesauce has long been used in baking to replace eggs, butter, or both. Adds richness and moisture to cakes, plus a deliciously sweet flavor.

Plus, this substitute ticks all the dietary boxes: nut-free, oil-free, vegan, and dairy-free!

Related questions

Now that we’ve gone over the best substitutes for butter extract, let’s take a look at some related questions!

Can butter be substituted for oil?

Whether you’re looking for a dairy-free or healthier option, many of us are looking for ways to replace butter in our cooking and baking. But is oil a good substitute for butter?

Many different oils can be used to replace butter, with very satisfactory results.

Most oils have the same texture as butter when used in savory dishes and baking, but you may find they lack the flavor and richness of butter. If this is the case, try adding a bit of butter extract as well.

Canola oil, sunflower oil, and coconut oil are often used to replace butter in baking. When using oil to replace butter, the ideal ratio is to use 3/4 of the amount of butter called for in the recipe.

So if you normally use 4 ounces of butter, add 3 ounces of oil instead.

Can ghee be used instead of butter?

If you’re new to ghee, this ingredient has been a staple of Asian cuisine for many years.

Ghee is a form of butter known as clarified butter, which has been heated and strained to remove all the water. It is then simmered until the milk solids begin to lightly brown.

The result is a soft butter with a nutty, caramelized flavor. It has a much longer shelf life than butter and also has a higher smoke point.

If you normally use butter for frying, the ghee will give you all the flavor without the danger of overheating and smoking.

Ghee can also be used to replace butter in baking recipes and can be used in equal amounts. It is smooth and easy to mix with other ingredients and will give the same rich flavor that we expect from butter.