Butter is a popular dairy product used for cooking, baking and spreading. Many recipes call for butter in measurements like sticks, cups, tablespoons and ounces. When a recipe calls for 8 oz of butter, it’s helpful to know how that converts to sticks of butter.
Quick Answer
8 oz of butter is equivalent to 2 sticks of butter. Most butter sticks in the U.S. contain 4 ounces or 1/2 cup of butter. So 8 oz equals 2 sticks.
Butter Measurements
Butter is sold in a few different forms and sizes in grocery stores. The most common options are:
- Sticks – Contain 4 oz or 1/2 cup
- Tubs – Sold in various sizes like 1/2 lb, 1 lb, etc.
- Individual butter packets – Contain about 1 tablespoon
In the U.S., a standard stick of butter contains 4 oz or 1/2 cup. Some brands may sell “European-style” butter sticks that contain 8 oz or 1 cup, but the 4 oz stick is most common.
Butter Equivalents
Here are some common butter measurements and equivalents:
| Butter Measure | Amount |
|---|---|
| 1 stick | 4 oz / 1/2 cup |
| 2 sticks | 8 oz / 1 cup |
| 4 sticks (1 lb) | 16 oz / 2 cups |
| 1 tablespoon | 1/2 oz / 1/8 cup |
| 1 cup | 8 oz / 2 sticks |
Answering the Question
Now that we’ve reviewed butter measurements, we can answer the original question:
How much is 8 oz of butter in sticks?
Since one stick of butter contains 4 oz, 8 oz of butter equals 2 sticks. So if a recipe calls for 8 oz of butter, you would use 2 sticks to measure it out.
Butter Conversion Examples
Here are some examples showing how to convert butter amounts between sticks, ounces and cups:
Sticks to Ounces
- 1 stick = 4 oz
- 2 sticks = 8 oz
- 4 sticks = 16 oz
Ounces to Sticks
- 4 oz = 1 stick
- 8 oz = 2 sticks
- 16 oz = 4 sticks
Cups to Sticks
- 1/2 cup = 1 stick
- 1 cup = 2 sticks
- 2 cups = 4 sticks
Sticks to Cups
- 1 stick = 1/2 cup
- 2 sticks = 1 cup
- 4 sticks = 2 cups
So for the original question, knowing that 8 oz = 2 sticks, we can also say:
- 8 oz butter = 2 sticks
- 8 oz butter = 1 cup
Tips for Measuring Butter
Here are some helpful tips for working with butter measurements in recipes:
- Use sticks for easy measuring. Cut off what you need instead of trying to shape tablespoons or cups.
- Stick to recipes based on weight or cups for more accuracy. Ounces in sticks can vary slightly in size.
- Mark measurements on wax paper then form butter into the shape. Easier than shaping already spread out butter.
- Adjust for temperature. Cold butter is harder to shape accurately. Let it soften a bit first.
- Use proper tools. Butter paddles make shaping and smoothing easy.
Butter Substitutes
In some cases, you may need or want to use a butter substitute:
- Margarine – Typically contains around 80% fat like butter. Good for spreading and baking.
- Shortening – 100% fat with no water. Used for frying and baking. Not for spreading.
- Oil – Oils like olive oil can replace butter in sautéing.
- Applesauce – Works as a butter replacement when baking. Use 1/4 cup per stick needed.
- Yogurt – Plain yogurt can sub for butter in equal amounts.
When substituting, you may need to make adjustments to other ingredients in the recipe to achieve ideal results.
Storing Butter
To maintain freshness and quality, store butter properly:
- Refrigerate butter sticks and tubs. Keeps for 2-3 months refrigerated.
- Freeze extras for longer storage. Wrapped butter keeps 6-9 months in the freezer.
- Use butter within 1 month of opening.
- Keep butter tightly sealed or wrapped.
- Store butter away from light, heat and air exposure.
Butter Nutrition Facts
Here are some key nutrition facts about butter:
- Butter is pure fat, containing at least 80% milkfat.
- It’s high in saturated fat and cholesterol.
- Butter provides vitamins A, D, E and K.
- It contains minerals like selenium, manganese, zinc and copper.
- 1 tablespoon has 102 calories and 11 grams fat.
Due to its high saturated fat content, butter intake should be limited to small amounts as part of a healthy diet.
Types of Butter
There are several varieties of butter available:
Salted vs. Unsalted
- Salted – Contains added salt as a preservative and for flavor.
- Unsalted – Does not contain added salt. Preferred for sweet recipes and better control of salt content.
Cultured Butter
- Cultured butter – Made from cream that has been fermented with live cultures. Has a tangy, cheese-like flavor.
Regional Butter Types
- European-style – Higher fat content, richer flavor. Common in Europe.
- American-style – Made from pasteurized sweet cream. Mild flavor.
Whipped Butter
- Whipped butter – Air is incorporated during production for spreadability. Lower fat content than regular butter.
Common Questions
Here are answers to some other common questions about butter measurements:
How much butter is 250 grams?
250 grams of butter is approximately 8.8 oz or 2 1/4 sticks.
How much is 2.2 lbs of butter in sticks?
2.2 lbs of butter equals 35.2 oz or 8 sticks plus 2 tablespoons.
How many cups are in 1/2 lb of butter?
1/2 lb of butter is equal to 1 cup.
What’s the difference between 1/4 lb and 1/4 cup butter?
1/4 lb of butter is equal to 1/2 cup. 1/4 cup butter is half of 1/4 lb.
Conclusion
Knowing butter measurements conversions allows you to easily substitute amounts in recipes. The key thing to remember is:
8 oz butter = 2 sticks
Armed with this knowledge, you can now confidently measure out the butter your recipe needs. Whether it calls for ounces, cups, grams or sticks, you’ve got the conversions down pat!