How to Substitute Butter for Oil (and Vice Versa) (2024)

FAQs

How to Substitute Butter for Oil (and Vice Versa)? ›

A good rule of thumb is to replace about 3/4 of the butter in a recipe with olive, canola, or vegetable oil. (If the recipe calls for 1 cup butter, use ¾ cup oil.) You can use a 1:1 ratio when it comes to coconut oil.

You can substitute butter for oil, but it may alter the flavor and level of moisture. To convert butter to oil, you'll want to use a 3:4 ratio instead — this means one equal part of oil equates to ¾ butter. Example: If a recipe calls for 2/3 cup of butter, use 1/2 cup of oil instead.

How much vegetable oil is equivalent to one stick of butter? One stick of butter is equal to 1/2 cup of vegetable oil. By volume, yes, butter is the same whether solid or melted.

The spongy texture and moist flavor that oil creates can be a boon to certain recipes. Not to mention oil is cheaper and easier to work with. Butter will always provide superior flavor and that melt-in-your-mouth texture. In many recipes, combining the two gives the best of both worlds.

Melted, unsalted butter is the perfect substitute for oil, and can even add a richer flavor to baked recipes. Swap in butter for oil in a 1:1 ratio, melting butter in the microwave or on the stovetop. Vegan butter or ghee can also work in this instance.

Vegetable oil can be substituted for another healthy cooking oil like canola, sunflower, peanut or grapeseed oil in a pinch. From frying to baking, these alternatives can be easily swapped in (like many other simple ingredient substitutions).

Chefs love to make savory dishes with butter, but at home, you may want to stick to oil when preparing your pan for sautéeing and cooking. Butter can easily brown and even burn if you're cooking at high heat, which may be the case when searing a piece of meat, sautéeing vegetables, or cooking down leafy greens.

How much is one stick of butter compared to oil? ›

As a general rule of thumb, substitute three-quarters of the butter in a recipe with olive oil. In other words: If a baking recipe calls for a stick of butter (8 tablespoons), for example, use 6 tablespoons of olive oil.

A blend of these two ingredients gives the cake the best possible flavor and texture. Butter provides flavor while oil adds moisture and keeps it from being too dry. A cake made with all oil would be moist but lacking in flavor, and an all-butter cake may have a more buttery taste, but would be more dry.

A good rule of thumb is to replace about 3/4 of the butter in a recipe with olive, canola, or vegetable oil. (If the recipe calls for 1 cup butter, use ¾ cup oil.)

How much vegetable oil equals one 1 stick of butter? One stick of butter equals about 93.75 ml or 6 tablespoons of liquid vegetable oil. For one part of butter, we need 3/4 of an equal part oil.

Substitution Tip

For example, if a recipe calls for one stick of butter (8 tablespoons), use 6 tablespoons of oil.

Applesauce

Applesauce is a popular substitute for both butter and oil in baking.

One full stick of butter equals 1/2 cup, or 8 tablespoons. Our half sticks equal 1/4 cup of butter, or 4 tablespoons. They can be used interchangeably in recipes.

There are fewer calories in 1 tbsp of butter than in 1 tbsp of olive oil. But butter is much higher in saturated fats. Olive oil is more nutritious than butter because it has the kinds of fats that are good for your heart health, your immune system, blood sugar control, and more.