How much is 6 tablespoons of butter in cups?

Quick Answer

6 tablespoons of butter is equivalent to 3/8 cup or 0.375 cups of butter.

Butter Conversion Facts

Butter is a popular dairy product used for cooking, baking, and spreading on breads. Learning how to convert between tablespoons and cups of butter is helpful for recipes that call for different units of measurement. Here are some key facts about butter conversions:

1 tablespoon (tbsp) of butter = 0.5 ounces

2 tablespoons (tbsp) of butter = 1 fluid ounce
4 tablespoons (tbsp) of butter = 2 fluid ounces = 1/4 cup
5 tablespoons (tbsp) of butter = 2.5 fluid ounces

8 tablespoons (tbsp) of butter = 4 fluid ounces = 1/2 cup
10 tablespoons (tbsp) of butter = 5 fluid ounces
12 tablespoons (tbsp) of butter = 6 fluid ounces = 3/4 cup

16 tablespoons (tbsp) of butter = 8 fluid ounces = 1 cup

Knowing these conversions allows you to easily calculate tablespoons to cups and vice versa.

Converting 6 Tablespoons to Cups

To convert 6 tablespoons (tbsp) of butter to cups:

Remember that 4 tablespoons (tbsp) = 1/4 cup
So 2 sets of 4 tablespoons would be 2/4 cups or 1/2 cup
6 tablespoons is 1 1/2 sets of 4 tablespoons

Therefore, 6 tbsp = 1 1/2 x 1/4 cup = 3/8 cup

Another way to calculate it is:

1 tbsp = 0.5 oz

6 tbsp x 0.5 oz per tbsp = 3 oz
3 oz / 8 oz per cup = 0.375 cups

So 6 tablespoons of butter equals 3/8 cup or 0.375 cups.

Cup to Tablespoon Conversion

Here is a summary of the most common cup to tablespoon conversions for reference:

Cups	Tablespoons
1/8 cup	2 tbsp
1/4 cup	4 tbsp
1/3 cup	5 tbsp + 1 tsp
3/8 cup	6 tbsp
1/2 cup	8 tbsp
2/3 cup	10 tbsp + 2 tsp
3/4 cup	12 tbsp
1 cup	16 tbsp

As you can see, the conversions go both ways. Knowing that 3/8 cup equals 6 tablespoons and vice versa is key for baking and cooking.

Tips for Measuring Butter

When measuring butter for recipes, keep these tips in mind:

Use measuring spoons to measure small amounts like tablespoons or teaspoons.
Use a liquid measuring cup with ounce markings for accuracy.
Spread butter into the cup and level off for correct measurements.

When in doubt, use a food scale for the most precision.
Make sure butter is softened for easy measuring.
Pack brown sugar and confectioners’ sugar tightly before leveling.

Melted butter can be measured in a liquid measuring cup.

Correctly measuring butter is important for achieving the ideal texture and taste when baking.

Butter Substitutions

In a pinch, you can substitute butter in recipes with these options:

1 cup butter = 1 cup margarine or shortening
1 cup butter = 7/8 cup vegetable oil + 1/8 cup milk
1 cup butter = 7/8 cup lard + 1/8 cup milk

1 cup butter = 1 cup coconut oil, melted (for baking)

The milk helps achieve the right moisture and fat content. Coconut oil imparts a subtle coconut flavor when substituted for butter in baking recipes.

Common Uses for Butter

Butter’s rich, creamy texture makes it ideal for:

Baking – cakes, cookies, pastries, pie crusts
Sautéing vegetables and meats
Scrambled eggs, omelets, french toast

Spread on toast, muffins, rolls, waffles
Buttering corn on the cob, potatoes
Finishing sauces like beurre blanc or hollandaise

Frosting cakes and cupcakes

When baking, butter contributes moisture and flakiness to products like pie crust and croissants. Its high fat content means butter enhances flavor and browning better than oil or other fats.

Is Salted or Unsalted Butter Better for Baking?

This depends on the recipe, but here are some general tips:

Use unsalted butter when you want control over the exact salt content.
Salted butter provides some saltiness so you may need less added salt.
For simple cookies, cakes and buttercream frosting, both work well.

For more delicate baked goods like croissants, brioche and danish pastry, unsalted is best.
When in doubt, use unsalted and add a small pinch of salt if needed.

Salt enhances flavor, so salted butter can help boost the taste in cookies and cakes. But too much salt can negatively impact yeast breads. Unsalted butter gives you more control.

Storing Butter

To maximize freshness, store butter:

In a covered butter dish or original wrapper at room temperature for a few days.
In the refrigerator for 1-3 months.

In the freezer for 6-9 months.
Thaw frozen butter overnight in the fridge before use.
Keep butter tightly wrapped to prevent absorption of odors.

Use within the sell-by date printed on the packaging.

Proper storage helps prevent butter from going rancid prematurely. Rancid butter has an unpleasant smell and taste.

Signs of Bad Butter

Check for these signs that butter has spoiled:

Mold growth
Noticeable sour smell
Changed color or texture

Unusual bubbling or foaming
Off or bitter taste
Dry, crumbly consistency

Discard butter displaying these characteristics. Consuming rancid butter can cause unpleasant digestive symptoms.

Nutrition Facts for Butter

Here are the key nutrition facts for 1 tablespoon (14g) of salted butter:

Calories: 102

Fat: 11g
Saturated fat: 7g
Trans fat: 0.4g

Cholesterol: 31mg
Sodium: 90mg
Carbohydrates: 0g

Protein: 0g

Butter is high in calories and saturated fat. Limit intake as part of a healthy diet.

Is Butter Dairy, Meat or Vegetable?

Butter is a dairy product made from cream. The cream is churned to separate the fat. So butter is produced from the milk of animals like cows, sheep or goats. This makes it an animal product, not a vegetable oil.

Types of Butter

Common varieties of butter include:

Salted vs. unsalted: Whether salt is added or not.
Whipped: Whipped for a lighter, fluffier texture.

European-style: Higher fat content with richer flavor.
Raw: Not pasteurized, so it retains more nutrients.
Ghee: Clarified butter, so the milk solids are removed.

Reduced-fat: 25%-40% less fat than regular butter.

The type used depends on the recipe and personal preference for taste, fat content, etc.

How is Butter Made?

Butter production involves these key steps:

Cream is separated from whole milk.
The cream is pasteurized to kill any bacteria.
The cream is churned vigorously to break the fat globules.

The fat clumps together into butter, separating from the buttermilk.
The butter is kneaded to remove any remaining buttermilk.
Salt or other seasonings are worked into the finished butter.

This traditional churning method is still used today, although some large producers have moved to more automated industrial processes. Homemade butter can be churned by shaking cream in a sealed jar.

Common Questions about Butter

Here are answers to some frequently asked questions about butter:

Is butter dairy free?

No, butter is not dairy free because it is made from the fat in milk cream. Plant-based butter substitutes like those made from nuts can be dairy free.

Is butter vegetarian?

Strict vegetarians or vegans do not eat butter because it contains animal products. But those who eat a lacto-ovo vegetarian diet, which includes dairy and eggs, can eat butter.

Is butter gluten free?

Yes, pure butter contains no gluten and is considered gluten free. However, some butter spreads and flavored butters may contain additives or seasonings with gluten.

Is butter keto?

Yes, butter is low in carbs and high in fat, making it a suitable addition to a ketogenic diet. However, calories and portions still need to be monitored.

Is butter paleo?

Butter fits into the paleo diet since it comes from milk fat and existed in ancient times. Clarified butter or ghee is the preferred form on the paleo diet.

Does butter go bad?

Yes, butter has a shelf life and can go bad over time, developing an off taste and smell caused by rancidity. This occurs faster at warm temperatures. Proper refrigerated storage helps extend freshness.

Can you freeze butter?

Absolutely. Freezing is an effective long-term storage method for butter. It prevents rancidity and preserves quality for 6-9 months in the freezer. Thaw frozen butter overnight in the fridge before using.

Butter vs. Margarine

Butter and margarine are common spreads with some key differences:

Butter	Margarine
Made from milk fat	Made from plant oils
Higher saturated fat	Lower saturated fat
Contains cholesterol	No cholesterol
Higher fat content (80-85%)	Lower fat content (80% or less)
Natural color varies from pale to yellow	Artificially colored white or yellow
Higher price	Lower price

In baking, butter imparts a richer flavor while margarine is a cheaper, lower-fat alternative.

Butter Dishes and Accessories

Here are some useful tools for storing, serving and cooking with butter:

Butter dish – Keeps butter spreadable at room temperature.
Butter spreader – Warms and slices butter.
Butter keeper – Seals out air to prevent spoilage.

Butter crock – Attractive way to serve butter at the table.
Pastry brush – Spreads melted butter on dough.
Butter warmer – Heats butter quickly for recipes.

Butter bell – Seals cold water against butter to prevent spoilage.

A butter crock or spreader makes a great gift for the cooking enthusiast. Investing in some handy butter tools can make baking and cooking easier.

Creative Ways to Use Up Leftover Butter

If you have extra butter that needs using up, try these ideas:

Saute vegetables like asparagus, brussels sprouts or zucchini.
Grease pans or bakeware for even browning.
Make flavored butters by mixing with herbs, honey, garlic, etc.

Use for making grilled cheese sandwiches or panini.
Rub on proteins before cooking like chicken, steak or salmon.
Stir into rice, pasta or potatoes after cooking for extra richness.

Spread on toast and top with cinnamon sugar for a sweet treat.
Mix into oatmeal or grits instead of milk.

With its rich taste and versatility, butter can add flavor and moisture to all kinds of dishes. Get creative with leftovers!

Conclusion

Butter’s high fat content and creamy texture make it a staple ingredient for cooking and baking. When a recipe calls for butter, it can be helpful to know how to convert measurements between tablespoons and cups.

To summarize:

6 tablespoons butter = 3/8 cup = 0.375 cups

Handy conversions can be used to calculate other amounts
Measuring precisely, using butter substitutes, and proper storage are key
Butter has a wide range of culinary applications

Understanding butter ratios allows you to adjust recipes and measurements to suit your needs. With a rich flavor and smooth, spreadable texture, butter is a versatile ingredient that can enhance many foods when used properly.