How to Make Salted Butter From Unsalted Butter 

I was in the middle of making biscuits last weekend and realized I only had unsalted butter in the fridge. The recipe specifically called for salted, and I didn’t feel like running to the store. Turns out, converting unsalted butter to salted is ridiculously easy — you just add salt.

For every stick (half cup) of unsalted butter, mix in a quarter teaspoon of fine salt and you’ve got salted butter. It takes about two minutes and tastes just as good as the store-bought version. Here’s exactly how I do it and a few tips for getting the ratio right.

Salted vs. Unsalted Butter 

If you’re a baker or just someone who loves to cook, you’ve probably noticed that butter comes in two forms: salted and unsalted. But are they interchangeable, and why might you choose one over the other? 

The Salt Content 

The most obvious difference between salted and unsalted butter is the salt content. Salted butter contains about ¼ teaspoon of salt per ½ cup (one stick), while unsalted butter is made without any added salt. 

The amount of salt can vary depending on the brand, so it’s best to check the label for exact measurements. 

Texture and Appearance 

In addition to its salty flavor, salted butter also has a slightly firmer texture than unsalted butter. This is because salt acts as a preservative, which helps extend its shelf life. It also has a yellowish color compared to unsalted butter’s creamy white hue. 

Usage in Cooking and Baking 

Unsalted butter is generally preferred for baking because it gives bakers more control over how much salt goes into their recipes. 

Since salted butter already contains some amount of salt, using it could make your baked goods too salty if you’re not careful with measuring out your ingredients. 

However, many chefs prefer to use salted butter when cooking savory dishes such as sauces or sautéed vegetables since it adds an extra layer of flavor without needing any additional seasoning.  

Salted or Unsalted? 

Whether to use salted or unsalted butter depends on your personal preference or what type of dish you’re making. 

For baking applications where precise measurements are important, unsalted butter is usually the better option; however, if you’re looking for a simple way to add some additional flavor to your dishes without needing extra seasoning, then salted butter may be just what you need. 

Although salted butter and unsalted butter may be used interchangeably in some recipes, there are some instances where the use of one type of butter will bring out a superior flavor. Let’s take a look. 

When to Use Salted Butter

While salted butter is commonly used in baking recipes, it also has its place in savory cooking and even serving as well. 

The Flavor Factor 

When it comes to flavor, salted butter has a slight edge over unsalted varieties. This is because the addition of salt enhances the flavor of the butter itself. 

That means that when you use salted butter in your cooking and baking, there is no need for additional seasoning as the flavor of your dishes will be more robust than when using unsalted butter. 

Salted butter is also better for serving. Since the butter is already packed with savory flavors, slathering it on bread will give you a full flavor profile that cannot be matched by using unsalted butter. 

Texture Matters 

In addition to its impact on flavor, salted butter also has a significant effect on texture. When used in baking recipes such as cakes and cookies, salted butter adds a rich texture that makes for lighter and fluffier results than what can be achieved with unsalted varieties. 

Additionally, much like with flavor, salted butter eliminates the need for additional salt when it comes to savory dishes such as sauces and sautéed vegetables. Its creamy texture provides another layer of richness and depth that cannot be replicated by using unsalted varieties alone. 

Stability 

Finally, salted butter has an advantage over its counterpart when it comes to stability. Salted varieties have a longer shelf life than unsalted ones, which means that they can withstand higher heat temperatures without melting completely or burning easily. 

This makes them ideal for high-heat cooking methods such as frying or sautéing since you don’t have to worry about your food sticking to the pan or burning quickly due to the extra stability provided by the salt content in the butter itself. 

When to Use Unsalted Butter

Unsalted butter is usually recommended in baking recipes because it gives you more versatility since you can control the saltiness of each dish. It has a creamy texture and a sweet taste that sets it apart from other kinds of butter. 

Unsalted butter is particularly useful in baking recipes where precise measurements are important. Since it doesn’t have added salt, you don’t need to worry about using too much or too little of this ingredient in any given dish. 

It’s also great for sauces, where adding too much salt can ruin the overall flavor profile. Unsalted butter is also frequently used as an accompaniment for classic breakfast items like pancakes or waffles, where salt is already packed into the pancakes themselves. 

If your recipe uses yeast, it’s usually recommended to use unsalted butter. This is because salt can actually affect the performance of yeast, so your brioche will not develop properly in terms of both textures and flavors. 

The golden rule is when a baking recipe recommends that you use unsalted butter, it’s always safe to use unsalted butter instead of substituting it for salted butter. 

Can You Make Salted Butter from Unsalted Butter?

If you’ve ever been in a pinch and needed salted butter, but all you have is unsalted butter, you can easily add salt to get the flavor profile that you want. 

Adding salt to unsalted butter is easy – and with the right steps, your dish will turn out just as delicious as if you had used salted butter. 

The key when adding salt to unsalted butter is not to over-salt. Start with a little bit of salt at a time – about ¼ teaspoon of sea salt per every ½ cup of butter should do the trick. 

Use fine-grained sea salt or table salt for better control over the amount of salt being added. Coarse salts will add undesirable crunchy textures to your butter, so using sea salt or table salt allows for better control without changing the texture of the butter. 

For an even more subtle flavor, try using garlic powder or onion powder instead of pure salt – these spices are milder than salt and will still add that salty taste without overwhelming your dish.  

Once you have gathered all the ingredients that you need, let’s take a look at how to add salt to unsalted butter the right way. 

Salted Butter from Unsalted Butter – How to Add Salt?

Step 1: Soften Your Butter 

The first step is to soften your butter. This can be done by leaving it out on the countertop for about an hour to bring it to room temperature. Or by microwaving it for a few seconds until it is soft enough that you can easily press your finger into it without breaking through the surface. 

If you use the microwave method, make sure not to use a lower heat setting so that the butter won’t melt. You can also use a fork to break the butter into smaller chunks in a bowl so that it will be easier to salt later on. 

Step 2: Add Salt 

Once your butter has softened, add the desired amount of salt and mix together with a spatula until fully incorporated. 

You can also use an electric mixer if you prefer, but keep in mind that whisking will add air to the butter and make it extra fluffy. If you prefer this texture in your butter, you can do so, but if not, it’s best to mix the butter by hand. 

Step 3: Refrigerate 

Once you have mixed the salt into your softened butter, put it back in the refrigerator so that it will harden again and be ready for use. 

If you want to store the butter for a later date, make sure to keep it in an airtight container so that the butter will stay fresh for longer. Store your salted butter in the refrigerator for up to two weeks and enjoy all its added flavor and benefits! 

Should I Buy Salted or Unsalted Butter?

Many people like having a stick of butter in the fridge so that they can use it in everyday cooking. But should you buy salted or unsalted butter? Which is more versatile? 

Taste 

If you’re looking for the richest flavor possible, then salted butter is your best bet. It has a subtle kick of saltiness that complements other ingredients in your recipe, and it’s also ready for serving right off the bat. 

Nutrition

In terms of nutritional value, salted and unsalted butter are fairly similar. Both contain roughly 80 percent fat and 20 percent water by weight. 

The primary difference between them lies in sodium content. One tablespoon of salted butter contains about 80 milligrams of sodium, while an equal amount of unsalted butter contains only 10 milligrams. 

So if you’re watching your sodium intake, then unsalted butter is definitely the better choice. 

Convenience

Finally, there’s convenience to consider when deciding between salted and unsalted butter. 

Salted butter has a longer shelf life as long as it’s kept refrigerated—which makes it ideal for home cooks who don’t use much butter on a regular basis—while unsalted butter has a relatively short shelf life (about three months) even when stored properly. 

So if you plan on having butter in the fridge for everyday use, then unsalted may not be your best option since it will go bad faster than its salted counterpart. 

Using Salted Butter in a Recipe 

For many home chefs, salted butter has become a pantry staple. But when it comes to baking, substituting salted butter for unsalted butter can be tricky. 

While unsalted butter is often preferred for baking because it provides more control over the salt content of the final product, there are some recipes where salted butter can be used successfully. 

Here’s what you need to know about making the most of salted butter in your recipes. 

Adjusting Salt Content  

When using salted butter in a recipe, reduce or eliminate any additional salt that is called for. 

This adjustment will depend on how much salt you want in the finished product and how salty your brand of salted butter is; however, as a general rule, you should reduce any additional salt by ¼ teaspoon per ½ cup of salted butter used. 

If you’re unsure or want to experiment with different levels of saltiness in the finished dish, start by reducing the amount of added salt by half and taste as you go from there. 

Watch Baking Time 

A second consideration when baking with salted butter is that it can change the cooking time for certain dishes. Salted butter typically retains more water than unsalted varieties, which means that dishes may require slightly longer cook times when using it. 

To ensure that your baked goods are cooked through without burning, set your timer at least 5 minutes before what is indicated in the recipe and watch carefully until done. 

Using Unsalted Butter in a Recipe 

If a recipe requires salted butter, but you only have the unsalted variety, the good news is that there’s an easy solution. You can simply add salt! 

Add Salt

The main issue when using unsalted butter in place of salted butter is the amount of salt you will be adding to your recipe. If a recipe calls for salted butter, it assumes that the salt content has already been taken into account and should be avoided or reduced. 

This means that if you’re substituting unsalted butter, you should add salt to make up for the flavors. Add ¼ tsp of salt for every ½ cup of butter that the recipe calls for, in addition to the salt that the recipe recommends. 

If you are using unsalted butter instead of salted butter in a recipe, you don’t have to pre-mix the butter, simply adjust the recipe while you’re mixing the ingredients or cooking to achieve the desired taste. 

Adjust Cooking Time as Needed 

When making substitutions like this one, it’s always wise to keep an eye on the cooking times specified in your recipe and adjust accordingly based on how quickly (or slowly) things seem to be cooking. 

Remember that the salt content can increase the time needed to bake, so you should increase the cooking time slightly in order to ensure that all ingredients are cooked through properly without burning them or drying them out too much. 

Making substitutions like these can seem daunting at first, but they don’t have to be! With a little bit of knowledge and patience, anyone can successfully substitute unsalted butter for salted butter with ease—even beginner cooks! 

Just remember these three key points: choose your salt carefully, adjust other sources of salt from your recipes as needed, and adjust cooking time as necessary so everything comes together perfectly every single time. Bon appétit!