There are times when you may be working on a recipe and want to know how to substitute shortening for butter that is called for in the recipe. This could be because you are allergic to dairy or are on a vegan diet. It could also be that you have opened the fridge and you discover that you simply ran out of butter.
It is possible to substitute shortening forbutter. This is especially true in baked goods. The texture and flavor will beslightly different, but the desired results should be quite similar.
The Difference Between Shortening and Butter
In terms of fat, shortening and butter dodiffer significantly. Shortening is generally 100% fat, while butter is acombination of fat, milk, and a little water. Butter tends to melt when exposedto heat at a faster rate than shortening.
I use a combo (1:1) of mayo and softened unsalted butter. It’s the perfect balance of flavor and crisp browning. In fact, here’s my recipe for an all-American grilled cheese for grown-ups. Replace the butter in a cream sauce recipe with half cream cheese and half vegetable oil. For example, if you are making Alfredo sauce and it requires 1 cup of butter, use 1/2 cup of cream cheese and 1/2 cup of oil. The cream cheese increases the creaminess of the sauce. Replacing the butter you might normally cook an omelet in with olive oil is a simple swap that will yield several nutritional and health benefits. Instead of melting butter in a saute pan, pour a drizzle of olive oil into the pan and heat it, instead. Pour beaten eggs into the hot oil and cook until your omelet is firm.
When baking with shortening, the end resultwill be a softer product with more height. This is great for risen breads andcake batters with dense ingredients, such as fruit, carrots, or zucchini. Mostshortenings are flavorless, making them a good choice for when you don’t wantany additional flavor in the recipe.
Butter has a rich, creamy, and slightlysweet flavor that is ideal for cakes, cookies, and savory dishes. The textureis also creamy. In general, butter is a bit more versatile in that it workswell in baked goods, sauces, and savory dishes.
How to Swap Shortening for Butter
When you need to substitute shortening forbutter, you may want to add a little more salt to the dish or baked good foradditional flavor. And, be mindful that butter adds a tiny bit of moisture toany dish. Shortening does not have any moisture, so the recipe may require asplash of little more water or dairy free milk.
Here is a guideline for how to substituteshortening for butter in many recipes:
- Use 1/4 cup of shortening with a pinch of salt in place of 1/4 cup of butter.
- Use 1/2 cup shortening with 1/8 teaspoon of salt in place of 1/2 cup of butter.
- Use 1 cup shortening with 1/4 teaspoon of salt in place of 1 cup of butter.
One tip that may be useful is to add apinch of turmeric or nutritional yeast to savory dishes if you are hoping toget that golden color that butter imparts. Vegan scrambled tofu comes to mind.
Conclusion
Can I Use Vegetable Oil Instead Of Butter For Mac And Cheese Filling
Shortening and butter are two distinctivelydifferent food products. However, it is possible to use them interchangeably inmany recipes. The flavor will and texture will vary. The most successful way tosubstitute shortening for butter is in baked goods. Pie crusts, in particularcan really benefit from using shortening instead of butter for a super flakyshell.