Swap EVOO for Butter
Many of our customers have asked about using extra virgin olive oil in place of butter for cooking and baking. Those seeking a diet lower in cholesterol, having less saturated fat or using only vegetarian ingredients will find substituting olive oil for butter to be an easy, healthy and tasty alternative.
For frying and sautéing, our extra virgin olive oils can replace butter at a 1-to-1 ratio. In fact, with our fused and infused extra virgin olive oil, you will discover many new ways to introduce new flavor in your dishes. For example, have you ever tried Garlic extra virgin olive oil (EVOO) in a stir fry or scrambled eggs? How about drizzled on popcorn? The next time you tear into a loaf of fresh bread, try replacing the butter dish with a selection of extra virgin olive oil for a delicious dipping experience. To add flavor, try adding a few drops of balsamic vinegar and some Italian spices to the olive oil.
Baking with olive oil in place of butter has been around for centuries, especially in Mediterranean cooking. Given that measurements for baking are a bit more critical, a conversion chart is provided below to help with your substitutions:
Butter |
|
EVOO |
1 tsp
|
= |
3/4 tsp |
1 Tbsp
|
= |
2 1/4 tsp |
2 Tbsp
|
= |
1 1/2 Tbsp |
1/4 Cup
|
= |
3 Tbsp |
1/3 Cup
|
= |
1/4 Cup |
1/2 Cup
|
= |
1/4 Cup plus 2 Tbsp |
2/3 Cup
|
= |
1/2 Cup |
3/4 Cup
|
= |
1/2 Cup plus 1 Tbsp |
1 Cup
|
= |
3/4 Cup |
Keep in mind, substituting olive oil for butter may not work for recipes that require the consistency of butter or shortening – like cake frosting that needs to hold up at room temperature. A brushing of olive oil can also be used instead of butter to prepare baking pans and cookie sheets before adding the batter or dough. When baking items with more delicate flavors, choose from our smoother, more mellow olive oils (like our Butter EVOO) over the more peppery, pungent selections. However, if you intentionally want to add some essence to your baking, the possibilities are endless. For example, if you desire to kick up the heat in a batch of cornbread, try substituting the butter with our Chipotle infused extra virgin olive oil. Our Whole Fruit Blood Orange EVOO can enhances banana bread, providing a subtle but noticeable hint of orange.
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