Oil-to-Butter Conversion: Guide to Butter Substitutes

Pausing your cooking to convert ingredients is never fun. Perhaps your recipe calls for oil, but you only have butter in your fridge. What happens if you’re making pancakes and you only have oil? Thankfully, you can use our oil-to-butter conversion without compromising the taste or texture of your recipe. We crunched the numbers and even provided a few butter substitutes to guide you.

Table of Contents:

• How to convert oil to butter
• How to convert butter to oil
• Oil-to-butter conversion chart
• Butter substitutes

How to convert oil to butter

You can convert cooking oil to butter with a 1:1 ratio. This method of swapping oil for butter works with most oils, including olive, vegetable and canola oil. Make sure the butter is cool or at room temperature before mixing it into your recipe.

How to convert butter to oil

You can substitute butter for oil, but it may alter the flavor and level of moisture. To convert butter to oil, you’ll want to use a 3:4 ratio instead — this means one equal part of oil equates to ¾ butter.

However, this is only if you’re using vegetable, canola or olive oil. If you’re replacing butter with coconut oil, you can use a 1:1 ratio.

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Oil-to-butter conversion chart

Still unsure of how to use the oil-to-butter conversion metrics? Here are some common standard metric conversions for butter to oil and vice versa.

Oil to butter (standard metrics)

Check out the standard metrics for converting oil to butter below.

Oil to butter (mL)

Not sure how to convert oil to butter in mL? Reference our chart below for common conversions.

Oil to butter (grams to mL)

Use the grams to mL oil to butter chart below to convert common measurements. You can also bookmark our grams to mL converter to calculate other common ingredients.

Common butter substitutes

No big deal if you run out of butter when cooking! Here are a few common butter substitutes that get the job done.

1. Olive oil

If you’re replacing butter with oil, you can follow a 3:4 ratio. This means you would use ¾ the amount of olive oil a recipe calls for butter. Try swapping butter for olive oil in your savory dishes, for example, this beef and broccoli recipe.

How much to use: 3:4 ratio

Best for: Cooking and sauteing 

2. Coconut oil

Coconut oil is a dairy-free, vegan butter substitute. Although coconut oil can replace butter, it has a distinctive flavor that can alter some dishes. Try using coconut oil to replace butter in this chicken curry recipe, or add it to make a box cake taste better.

How much to use: 1:1 ratio

Best for: Curry, stir-fry and desserts

3. Unsaturated oils

Unsaturated oils like canola, sunflower or vegetable oil can replace butter for most recipes. Swap the butter for one of the flavorless, unsaturated oils in baked goods, including cupcakes, cookies and even your favorite banana bread recipe.

How much to use: 1:1 ratio

Best for: Baked goods or any recipe that requires high heat

4. Mayonnaise

While it may not sound appealing, mayonnaise is a mixture of egg yolks and oil, making an easy butter substitute. You can use mayonnaise for extra moisture in mashed potatoes and other savory dishes. Try melting it down for grilled cheese or omelets.

How much to use: 1:1 ratio

Best for: Savory dishes, dips and sauces

5. Margarine

Margarine is one of the most common substitutes for butter because of its similar texture. If you have a dairy allergy or sensitivity, keep in mind that not all margarines are dairy-free. Cook or bake with margarine the same way you use butter.

How much to use: 1:1 ratio

Best for: Baking and cooking

6. Yogurt

Swap butter for full-fat yogurt to maintain the richness and texture. Stick to a 1:1 ratio when using yogurt instead of butter. However, if you’re following a recipe that calls for a large amount of butter, try Greek yogurt instead because of its low moisture content.

How much to use: 1:1 ratio

Best for: Baked goods

7. Vegetable shortening

Use vegetable shortening instead of butter for recipes that don’t need the buttery flavor. Vegetable shortening has a high melting point compared to butter, so your sweet treats will be light and airy.

How much to use: 1:1 ratio

Best for: Baked goods

8. Vegan butter

Most kinds of vegan butter are made from vegetable and nut oils and can replace natural butter. Vegan butter works well as a butter alternative for almost any recipe, especially for baked goods. Stick to the 1:1 ratio to swap for vegan butter in your recipes.

How much to use: 1:1 ratio

Best for: Baking and cooking

9. Applesauce

Transform the lightness of your baked goods by using applesauce instead of butter. Choose unsweetened applesauce because apples are naturally sweet. However, if you only have sweetened applesauce in the house, you can adjust the sugar level in your recipe.

How much to use: 1:1 ratio

Best for: Baked goods

 Factors to consider when choosing butter substitutes

When selecting a butter substitute, you should consider a few factors to ensure your dish turns out just right. Different substitutes can affect flavor, texture and overall satisfaction, so understanding your specific needs is key. 

Here are some important factors to think about when choosing the right butter alternative for your recipe:

• Recipe type: Baking recipes may require different substitutes than those for cooking or spreading.
• Desired flavor: Some substitutes, like olive oil, add a distinct flavor, while others, like vegetable shortening, may have a neutral taste.
• Dietary restrictions: Consider any dietary needs, such as lactose intolerance, vegan preferences or allergies.
• Texture requirements: Different substitutes can impact the texture of your dish, especially in baking, where moisture and fat content are crucial.
• Cooking method: Some substitutes may not perform well at high temperatures — consider how you plan to use the butter alternative.

Oil-to-butter conversion FAQ

When cooking and baking, knowing how to convert between oil and butter is essential for achieving the right texture and flavor. Whether you’re out of an ingredient or want to try healthier options, these conversions will guide you. Here are some common questions about oil-to-butter conversions.

Additional cooking conversion resources

Use one of our additional cooking conversion resources to streamline your baking and cooking process.

• Cooking measurement conversion
• Cooking time calculator
• Grams to cups converter
• Oven temperature conversion chart
• Serving size calculator 

Mastering the oil-to-butter conversion

You should now feel more confident in making oil-to-butter conversions. Remember to use the 1:1 ratio to convert oil to butter or the 3:4 ratio for butter to oil.

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Cady Cohen

Author

Cady Cohen is a culinary writer at Instacart who empowers home cooks to navigate the exciting world of food with confidence. She has worked in digital media for over seven years covering food, health, and wellness. From handy conversion charts and recipe calculators to in-depth cooking guides, Cady's work makes grocery shopping a breeze and empowers you to make informed choices about what you put on your plate.

Heather Matley

Editor

Heather Matley is an editor at Instacart whose passion for food and cooking has inspired her work on everything from grocery guides to recipe development. With over eight years of experience in editing, content creation, and search engine optimization, she strives to empower readers with the most effective tools, guides, and ideas to transform their home cooking.