For the health-conscious vegan, label reading can be a tedious venture, especially when you come across foreign ingredients. A good rule of thumb is if you can’t pronounce it, you probably don’t want to be eating it. But what about ingredients that you can pronounce but still raise some questions? For those popcorn lovers out there, you may have seen odd additives such as “natural butter flavor” in lieu of butter. Since it’s not actually butter, is natural butter flavor vegan friendly?
Some natural butter flavor products are vegan friendly while others are not. The only way to know for sure is to research specific brands prior to purchasing a product or only choosing ones that are certified vegan. The best vegan alternatives are Nutiva Coconut Oil with Non-Dairy Butter Flavor, WayFare Dairy Free Butter, and Miyoko’s European Style Cultured Vegan Butter.
Those following a vegan diet are not new to jumping through hoops to find the best vegan products, but what even is natural butter flavor? Let’s take a look.
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What is Natural Butter Flavor?
There are many different brands and varieties of natural butter flavorings. It’s commonly used in frostings or to add flavor to baked products, breads, and other processed food items such as popcorn and crackers. These natural butter flavors are typically made from diacetyl and acetoin, naturally occurring substances that gives butter its unique flavor and aroma [1].
Diacetyl and acetoin are byproducts of the fermentation of sugar in cultured dairy products such as butter, buttermilk and sour cream. This is listed on the food label as “natural butter flavoring”, however, these can also be created artificially through chemical processes. These compounds will be listed as “artificial butter flavoring” on the food label for those looking to stick to a natural approach.
There are also natural butter extracts on the market, used in a similar fashion. Natural butter extracts are typically made from water, propylene glycol, or other forms of alcohol, and natural flavors. Similar to other extracts, these are stronger in flavor and require less to be used during cooking and baking. This makes them incredibly versatile for use in various items, commercially processed or homemade.
Is Artificial Butter Flavor Vegan?
Artificial butter flavor is not made using any animal products; therefore, it is considered vegan friendly. However, veganism is against animal cruelty and some forms of artificial butter flavor utilize testing on animals. Because of this, many might consider artificial butter flavor to be a non-vegan ingredient.
Is Natural Butter Flavor Healthy?
Diacetyl and acetoin are generally recognized as safe (GRAS) by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). However, high doses have been associated with toxic effects. A condition known as “popcorn worker’s lung” linked workers in production facilities exposed to high amounts of these compounds in the air with lung disease.
Because of this, new standards have been created to limit high amounts of exposure to these particles airborne. Further studies have shown that levels consumers are exposed to are low in risk, especially since they are exposed through the stomach and not the lungs [1].
Ingredients found in butter flavor extracts are less of a gamble. Because they mostly contain water, alcohol (commonly in the form of propylene glycol) and natural flavors, they are less sinister and more available to consumers for use in their own kitchen.
Butter flavor extracts are also zero calorie, zero fat and zero sugar, with just as much flavor as real butter and even natural butter flavor. This makes them an easy and optimal ingredient for those who are conscious of these nutrients in their diet.
Natural Butter Flavor Nutrition
Natural butter flavor is less in calories and fat than traditional butter, however it makes up for it in carbohydrates. When combined with processed snack foods such as potato chips, crackers, or cookies, this can further increase the calorie and carbohydrate content of the snack. Unfortunately, this often means an increase in our waistline if we eat it often.
Natural Butter Flavor
Nutrition Facts (per 28g):
- Calories 100
- Fat 1g
- Saturated fat 0.5g
- Sodium 340mg
- Carbohydrates 21g
- Sugar 1g
- Fiber 1g
- Protein 2g
Natural butter extracts do not contain significant sources of any nutrients therefore they are a lower calorie and sugar option that provides significant flavor to products. This makes them more desirable to most consumers as a butter alternative for various recipes.
Best Vegan Butter Products
For those looking to utilize vegan natural butter flavors or just vegan butter in their own recipe, here are a few top-rated vegan options. Natural butter flavors that contain diacetyl and acetoin are not readily available for consumer purchase however, there are plenty of other vegan butter options that either contain the same flavor ingredients or an alternative.
Nutiva Coconut Oil with Non-Dairy Butter Flavor
Non-GMO, whole 30, gluten-free and vegan friendly, Nutiva coconut oil with non-dairy butter flavor is an excellent alternative to butter in vegan cooking. Available on Amazon for $16.53 for a 14-ounce jar.
Ingredients:
- Organic, refined expeller-pressed coconut oil
- Organic natural flavors
- Organic annatto extract (for color)
Nutrition Facts (per 1 tablespoon):
- Calories 120
- Fat 14g
- Saturated fat 12g
- Sodium 340mg
- Carbohydrates 21g
- Sugar 1g
- Fiber 1g
- Protein 2g
WayFare Dairy Free Butter, Salted and Whipped
With vegan, gluten-free, organic, dairy-free, soy-free, non-GMO, kosher and nut-free, Wayfare whipped butter alternative has something for everyone. Available online at wayfarefoods.com, you can purchase this plant-based butter for just $5.99 for a 12-ounce container.
Ingredients:
- Wayfare dairy-free base
- Organic coconut oil
- Organic sunflower lecithin
- Konjac root powder
- Organic natural flavor
- Organic turmeric powder
Nutrition Facts (per 1 tablespoon):
- Calories 60
- Fat 6g
- Saturated fat 5g
- Sodium 75mg
- Carbohydrates 0g
- Sugar 0g
- Fiber 0g
- Protein 0g
Miyoko’s European Style Cultured Vegan Butter
Organic, plant-based, gluten-free, non-GMO and vegan, Miyoko’s European Style cultured vegan butter has a 5-star rating for rich buttery flavor that is completely plant-based. Available at retail stores, such as target, and online at plantx.com for $6.99 for an 8-ounce block.
Ingredients:
- Organic coconut oil
- Organic cultured cashew milk
- Filtered water
- Organic cashews
- cultures
- Filtered water
- Organic sunflower oil
- Organic sunflower lecithin
- Sea salt
Nutrition Facts (per 1 tablespoon):
- Calories 90
- Fat 10g
- Saturated fat 8g
- Sodium 65mg
- Carbohydrates 0g
- Sugar 0g
- Fiber 0g
- Protein 0g
Earth Balance Soy Free Buttery Spread
Non-GMO and vegan friendly, this buttery spread is versatile and widely available at retailers such as Target supermarkets priced at $4.29 for a 15-ounce container.
Ingredients:
- Oil blend
- Palm fruit oil
- Canola oil
- Safflower oil
- Flax oil
- Olive oil
- Water
- Less than 2%
- Salt
- Pea protein
- Sunflower lecithin
- Lactic acid (non-dairy)
- Naturally extracted annatto
Nutrition Facts (per 1 tablespoon):
- Calories 100
- Fat 11g
- Saturated fat 3g
- Sodium 110mg
- Carbohydrates 0g
- Sugar 0g
- Fiber 0g
- Protein 0g
Best Vegan Butter Extracts
Butter extracts are a lot easier to come by when looking to flavor foods at home. Below are a few examples of how various vegan butter extracts might compare to natural butter flavor.
The Spice House Butter Natural Flavor
Non-dairy, gluten-free and sugar free, The Spice House Butter Natural Flavor is a butter extract that does not use diacetyl and acetoin. With 5-star reviews, this flavor offers a low-calorie low-fat addition to baked goods and other recipes with ease. Available at thespicehouse.com for $14.49 for a 4-ounce bottle.
Unfortunately, their nutrition information is not provided for flavorings and extracts as they are exempt from label laws. This is because their ingredients do not provide significant sources of any nutrients.
Ingredients:
- Ethylene glycol
- Water
- Natural flavors
Nutrition Facts:
- Calories 0
- Fat 0g
- Saturated fat 0g
- Sodium 0mg
- Carbohydrates 0g
- Sugar 0g
- Added sugar 0g
- Fiber 0g
- Protein 0g
Nature’s Flavors Organic Butter Flavor Extract
Organic, vegan, kosher and gluten-free, Nature’s Flavors Organic butter flavor extract is another vegan friendly extract to provide potent buttery flavor without the added dairy or diacetyl and acetoin. This brand is not for the budget friendly, available on their website naturesflavors.com for $18.52 for a 2-ounce bottle, it’s pricey.
Ingredients:
- Organic cane alcohol
- Natural flavors
Nutrition Facts:
- Calories 0
- Fat 0g
- Saturated fat 0g
- Sodium 0mg
- Carbohydrates 0g
- Sugar 0g
- Added sugar 0g
- Fiber 0g
- Protein 0g
OliveNation Natural Butter Flavor Extract
This product is vegan, gluten-free, kosher, non-GMO and sugar-free. You can find it on Amazon or olivenation.com for a budget friendly price of $4.99 for a 4-ounce bottle.
Ingredients:
- Alcohol
- Water
- Natural flavors
Nutrition Facts:
- Calories 0
- Fat 0g
- Saturated fat 0g
- Sodium 0mg
- Carbohydrates 0g
- Sugar 0g
- Added sugar 0g
- Fiber 0g
- Protein 0g
Related Questions
Is Natural Butter Flavor Dairy-Free?
There are dairy-free natural butter flavors however, there are some that still utilize dairy. This is true for all butter flavors including extracts. For Example, The Spice House Butter Natural Flavor is listed as vegan friendly and without any dairy in their product while McCormick brand Butter Extract contains milk. Because of this, it’s always important to read all the packaging on the product prior to purchase if you are trying to avoid animal products.
Is Natural Butter Flavor Gluten-Free?
Yes, natural and artificial butter flavors are gluten free as well as butter flavor extracts. It is possible for these products to be used in conjunction with gluten containing ingredients so those with a gluten intolerance or Celiac disease should continue to be vigilant with label reading. If looking for gluten-free products, always look for the gluten-free label. If this is not present, check the allergen listing and the ingredients list for items such as wheat, barley, rye, malt, brewer’s yeast and oats (unless otherwise labeled gluten-free) [2].
What is Natural Butter Flavor Used For?
Natural butter flavor can be used in numerous food products to increase the flavor. Some common foods that contain natural butter flavor include: baked goods, cookies, popcorn, potato chips, corn chips, crackers, chocolate, candy, gum, and ice cream.