Butter is a staple ingredient in many recipes and is commonly measured in tablespoons, cups, or pounds. This can cause confusion when substituting butter measurements in recipes. So how much butter is actually in a cup or a pound? Let’s take a closer look.
How many tablespoons are in a cup of butter?
A standard U.S. cup of butter contains 16 tablespoons. Each tablespoon of butter equals 1/2 ounce or 14 grams. So a cup of butter weighs 8 ounces or 227 grams.
This is because:
- 1 cup = 16 tablespoons
- 1 tablespoon = 1/2 ounce = 14 grams
- 16 tablespoons x 1/2 ounce per tablespoon = 8 ounces
- 16 tablespoons x 14 grams per tablespoon = 227 grams
So in summary:
| 1 cup of butter | = 16 tablespoons |
| = 8 ounces | = 227 grams |
How many ounces are in a pound of butter?
There are 16 ounces in 1 pound of butter in the U.S. The reason is:
- 1 pound = 16 ounces
So a pound of butter weighs:
| 1 pound of butter | = 16 ounces |
Is a cup of butter equivalent to a pound of butter?
Since there are 8 ounces in a cup of butter and 16 ounces in a pound of butter, we can conclude:
- A cup of butter is NOT equivalent to a pound of butter
- A cup of butter weighs half as much as a pound of butter
To summarize:
| 1 cup of butter | = 8 ounces |
| 1 pound of butter | = 16 ounces |
So a cup of butter weighs exactly half as much as a pound of butter.
Cups to pounds butter conversion
Since there are 16 ounces in a pound, and 8 ounces in a cup, we can use the following conversions:
- 1 cup butter = 1/2 pound butter
- 2 cups butter = 1 pound butter
- 4 cups butter = 2 pounds butter
In general:
- To convert cups butter to pounds: Divide cups by 2
- To convert pounds butter to cups: Multiply pounds by 2
For example:
- 3 cups butter = 3/2 = 1.5 pounds butter
- 5 pounds butter = 5 * 2 = 10 cups butter
Cups to pounds butter conversion table
| Cups Butter | Pounds Butter |
|---|---|
| 1 cup | 0.5 pounds |
| 2 cups | 1 pound |
| 3 cups | 1.5 pounds |
| 4 cups | 2 pounds |
| 5 cups | 2.5 pounds |
| 6 cups | 3 pounds |
| 7 cups | 3.5 pounds |
| 8 cups | 4 pounds |
So in summary, the conversion is:
- 1 cup butter = 0.5 pounds butter
- 2 cups butter = 1 pound butter
Pounds to cups butter conversion
We can also convert in the other direction, from pounds of butter to cups:
- 1 pound butter = 2 cups butter
- 2 pounds butter = 4 cups butter
- 4 pounds butter = 8 cups butter
In general:
- To convert pounds butter to cups: Multiply pounds by 2
- To convert cups butter to pounds: Divide cups by 2
For example:
- 2.5 pounds butter = 2.5 * 2 = 5 cups butter
- 6 cups butter = 6/2 = 3 pounds butter
Pounds to cups butter conversion table
| Pounds Butter | Cups Butter |
|---|---|
| 0.5 pounds | 1 cup |
| 1 pound | 2 cups |
| 1.5 pounds | 3 cups |
| 2 pounds | 4 cups |
| 2.5 pounds | 5 cups |
| 3 pounds | 6 cups |
| 3.5 pounds | 7 cups |
| 4 pounds | 8 cups |
So in summary, the conversion is:
- 1 pound butter = 2 cups butter
- 2 pounds butter = 4 cups butter
Tips for measuring butter
Use standard measuring cups
When measuring butter by cups, be sure to use standard dry measuring cups that are designed to measure solid fats. Do not use liquid measuring cups. Pack the butter firmly into the cup for an accurate measurement.
Level off
When spooning butter into a measuring cup, level off the top using a straight edge like the back of a knife. This ensures you have the full amount for an accurate measurement.
Check ounces
For clarity, you can check the weight of the butter by placing the measuring cup on a food scale. 8 ounces should equal 1 cup of butter.
Measure sticks
Many recipes call for butter by the stick. Each standard stick of butter equals 1/2 cup or 4 ounces.
Melt carefully
Melting butter can cause it to lose volume so melted butter measurements can be inaccurate. Avoid melting first. If melted, allow it to cool and solidify before measuring.
Room temperature
For optimal measuring, bring refrigerated butter to room temperature first so it packs smoothly into cups. Cold butter can fluff up and cause inaccurate measures.
Don’t guess
Estimating butter visually can lead to errors. Always use proper butter cups or food scales for accuracy.
Butter alternatives
For those avoiding dairy, butter can be substituted with non-dairy alternatives:
Margarine
Margarine is made from vegetable oils so it can generally replace butter cup-for-cup in recipes. However, flavor and texture may differ slightly.
Coconut oil
Refined coconut oil can substitute 1:1 for melted butter, but results can vary in baked goods. Unrefined coconut oil has a coconut flavor.
Shortening
Vegetable shortening can replace butter at a 1:1 ratio. It has a neutral flavor but may change texture slightly.
Oil
In some recipes, butter can be replaced with an equal amount of olive, avocado or canola oil. But this changes the nutrition profile considerably.
Applesauce
For baking, unsweetened applesauce can replace butter at a 1:1 ratio, but this may affect texture. It works best in breads or muffins.
Always consider texture and flavor when substituting butter alternatives in recipes. Some adjustment to other ingredients may be needed.
Butter Price Comparison
Here is a price comparison of butter on a pound versus cup basis at average U.S. grocery store prices:
| Quantity | Average Price |
|---|---|
| 1 pound butter | $4.99 |
| 2 cups butter (1 pound) | $4.99 |
| 1 cup butter | $2.49 (1/2 pound) |
This shows that buying butter by the pound yields the same unit price as buying by the cup. The key is purchasing in the larger pound units rather than individual cups, which cost disproportionately more.
Cooking With Butter
Butter enhances flavor in all types of cooking methods. Here are some tips:
Baking
Butter contributes moisture and flakiness to baked goods like cookies, pastries, pie crusts and biscuits. Always use room temperature butter for creaming and even distribution through batters.
Sautéing
Butter is ideal for sautéing meats, seafood and vegetables. It contributes rich flavor and golden color. Clarified butter has a higher smoke point for high-heat sautés.
Roasting
Coating proteins and vegetables with melted butter before roasting seals in moisture and adds flavor as the food cooks.
Scrambling Eggs
For creamy scrambled eggs, melt 1-2 tablespoons of butter in a pan first before adding whisked eggs. Gently stir over low heat.
Making Sauces
Melted butter thickens and enriches all kinds of sauces from beurre blanc to hollandaise. It emulsifies seamlessly into liquids.
Butter should be kept refrigerated and used within 1-2 months for the best flavor. Salted butter can last a few weeks longer. Clarified butter keeps even longer.
Nutrition Facts
Here is the nutrition profile of butter:
1 cup (8 ounces or 227g) of unsalted butter contains:
| Calories | 827 |
|---|---|
| Fat | 92g |
| Saturated fat | 58g |
| Protein | 1g |
| Carbs | 0g |
| Fiber | 0g |
| Sodium | 190mg |
As you can see, butter is high in saturated fat. But it does contain nutrients like vitamins A, D, E, K as well as selenium, lecithin, and carotenoids like lutein.
Butter best consumed in moderation as part of a balanced diet. Use it to add flavor to dishes and vegetables. Limit butter where it doesn’t add much.
FAQs
Is butter a dairy product?
Yes, butter is a dairy product made from churned cream separated from whole milk. It contains butterfat from milk.
Is butter gluten-free?
Yes, pure butter contains no gluten ingredients so it is considered gluten-free. Always check labels for additives if gluten is a concern.
Is butter keto-friendly?
Butter contains almost entirely fat, with very minimal carbs and protein. This makes it a great choice for low-carb, high-fat keto diets.
Is butter vegan?
No, butter is not vegan because it contains dairy from animal sources. There are vegan butter substitutes made from plant oils.
Is salted butter better than unsalted?
This comes down to taste preference. Salted butter adds flavor but cannot be substituted equally for unsalted. Unsalted allows control of salt.
Conclusion
While a cup of butter is a handy kitchen measurement, it does not equate to a full pound of butter, which contains 16 ounces or twice as much as a cup. When substituting butter measurements, be sure to account for this 2:1 ratio to ensure baking success and accurate conversions in any recipe. With its high fat content and delicious flavor, a little bit of butter goes a long way to adding richness to any dish.
