Grocery
Top Care Unsalted Butter
What it is
This is a block of unsalted butter, a dairy product made by churning cream. It is a solid fat at room temperature but softens and melts when heated. Unsalted butter allows for greater control over the salt content in recipes. It has a rich, creamy flavor and a smooth texture. This butter is a staple in many kitchens for both sweet and savory cooking and baking. It is typically sold in a rectangular shape for easy storage and measurement.
How people cook with it
Butter is a versatile ingredient used in countless culinary applications. It adds richness, flavor, and helps with browning.
- Spreading on toast
- Baking cookies
- Sautéing vegetables
- Sauce base
Unsalted butter can be used in many ways. For baking, it is often creamed with sugar to create a light and airy texture for cakes and cookies. It can be melted and added to batters or used to grease pans. In savory cooking, it is excellent for sautéing aromatics like onions and garlic, or for creating pan sauces by deglazing with liquids like wine or broth. It also adds a wonderful richness to mashed potatoes or steamed vegetables. When a recipe calls for butter, this unsalted variety provides a neutral base.
How it differs from similar foods
Unsalted butter differs from salted butter by the absence of added salt. This distinction is important for bakers and cooks who want precise control over the saltiness of their dishes. Salt can affect the texture and browning of baked goods. Unsalted butter offers a purer, more concentrated dairy flavor.
Who it is for
Home cooks and professional chefs use unsalted butter to achieve specific flavor profiles and textures in their creations.
How to keep the rest
To keep the remaining butter fresh, store it tightly wrapped in its original packaging or in an airtight container in the refrigerator. This prevents it from absorbing odors from other foods. For longer storage, butter can be frozen.