Butter is an essential ingredient in every kitchen, whether you’re baking, sautéing, or simply spreading it on toast. But not all butters are created equal, and selecting the right one can be surprisingly tricky.
After sampling seven varieties in one sitting, it became clear that the secret to the best butter is focusing on one crucial factor: quality and simplicity in ingredients. Two professional chefs shared their insights on what to look for in butter and which UK supermarket brands stand out.
Eleni Louca, head chef at Hello Halloumi in New York City and former bakery owner in Cyprus, advises prioritizing butter with the highest possible dairy content. She draws from her experience with European and UK butters, stating: “For baking, I prefer higher butterfat, cultured, or European-style butters. Waitrose’s British and French-style butter blocks are excellent for their consistent texture and clean dairy flavor. Marks & Spencer’s cultured and West Country style butters also deliver deep flavor and superior performance in pastries.”
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When it comes to everyday use like spreading, Eleni recommends sweet cream butters that offer softness and a clean finish. She points out Sainsbury’s Taste the Difference and Tesco Finest as reliable choices. Cultured butters have a slightly tangy note and richer depth, making them ideal for baking, while sweet cream butters are well-suited for daily use. Her simple rule is: “If the butter tastes good on its own, it will bake beautifully.”
Jessica Randhawa, head chef and food writer at The Forked Spoon, shares her love of butter in all its forms but emphasizes salted butter as her go-to. “Salted butter brings out more intense flavors, especially in simple dishes like buttered bread or eggs. When cooking with salted butter, just remember to adjust the salt in your recipe,” she says.
Jessica also cautions against using butter at high heat due to its lower smoke point. “I prefer cooking with butter on low heat for longer periods, like sautéing zucchini or asparagus, to preserve its flavor and texture.”
Additionally, Jessica favors local and organic butter to support regional producers and sustainability. She recommends butter with only two ingredients: cream and salt. Currently, she’s using Clover Sonoma Pasture Raised Organic Sweet Cream butter from Northern California but would choose locally sourced options if elsewhere.
Both chefs agree that simple, high-quality butter with minimal ingredients makes all the difference in flavor and cooking performance.