How Much Salt To Add To Unsalted Butter? Advanced Baking Tip

You are making salted caramel oatmeal cookies and notice that you have no salted butter left. You can’t skip butter because it will make the cake fragrant, soft, and rich. Then, can you use unsalted butter instead in case there are still some sticks left in your cabinet?

This article contains the solution as well as information on how much salt to add to unsalted butter. The correct quantity of salt in your butter is important, whether you’re making pie crust or baking cookies. We’ll also provide you with some expert advice on when to use salted or unsalted butter when baking. Keep scrolling down and see how you can utilize those unsalted butter in your kitchen! 

Can I Use Unsalted Butter In Baking Instead of Salted Butter?

You can absolutely use unsalted butter in the place of salted butter, and it is quite a common thing for bakers to do. So, if you later realize that you have no salted butter, do not worry. Just add your pinch of salt and go ahead in adjust the level for the taste. This flexibility allows you to adjust your creations according to your liking, thus making unsalted butter versatile in the kitchen.

Pro Baking Tips To Salt Butter

Salting unsalted butter might seem like a small step, but it can make a big difference in your baking. But the secret to good baking is figuring out how much salt to add to unsalted butter. The pro tips below will elevate your baking skills:

How Much Salt To Add To Unsalted Butter

As a general guideline, for every stick (1/2 cup) of unsalted butter, add 1/4 teaspoon of salt. This will be quite similar to the salt content of most salted butter purchased from stores. However, you can modify this to suit your taste or the requirements of your dish. You might use a little less for a sweet treat and a little bit more for savory ones.

For instance, if your recipe calls for 3 sticks of salted butter, you can substitute 3 sticks of unsalted butter with 3/4 teaspoon of salt. 

Which Salt Should Be Used To Salt Butter?

To salt butter, the type of salt you use is important. The right salt is either fine sea salt or table salt, which can dissolve quickly and evenly in the butter. If you enjoy crunchy butter, you might want to try kosher salt, as the crystals are larger. Any other large, flaky salts, like Maldon, are best avoided because they won’t distribute and dissolve effectively.

Salted vs Unsalted Butter – Which Is Better For Baking?

You can substitute unsalted butter for salted butter in many recipes. Professional bakers actually prefer unsalted butter. This allows you to have complete control over how much salt is used in the recipes. You can use unsalted butter in many baking recipes, such as Starbucks pineapple cloud cake, funsnax strawberry cookies, or chocolate chip ricotta cake. 

Additionally, different brands will use different proportions of salt in their salted butter. This might lead to the use of too much or too little salt in baked goods. Thus, the substitute of unsalted butter enables one to add only that quantity of salt that will bring an ideal balance of flavors. This will be especially important in delicate recipes, such as pastries or cakes, where such accuracy is needed. Unsalted butter provides more consistency and control, hence a more divine result. Moreover, unsalted butter is freshest. But salted butter will have a longer shelf life, usually 3 to 4 months. Some brands can add lactic acid to unsalted butter to extend the shelf life a little bit. 

How Much Salt Contained In A Salted Butter Stick?

A regular stick of salted butter (1/2 cup or 113 grams) usually contains about 1/4 to 1/3 teaspoon of salt. The amount can vary slightly depending on the brand, but for the most part, they all seem to stay within that range. That’s enough salt to give baked items an extra flavor boost without leaving them salty.

If you are not sure about the percentage of salt in a brand of salted butter you use, you can generally check this on the container or the brand’s website. Knowing the exact amount of salt can let you know how much salt to add to unsalted butter.

A Word From Ice Maiden Cakes

So, next time you are running out of salted butter, you absolutely can substitute unsalted one and know how much salt to add to unsalted butter. 1/4 teaspoon of salt is standard. However, you can adjust a little bit based on the recipe or your taste.