Yes, there is such a thing as butter flavored salt. This type of salt is regular salt that has been infused with natural or artificial butter flavors to give it a rich, buttery taste. It is used to season foods in order to provide a butter-like flavor without actually using butter or margarine. Butter flavored salts can add a creamy, savory depth to dishes ranging from popcorn and baked potatoes to roasted vegetables and grilled meats. They are popular with home cooks and professional chefs alike as an easy way to impart a butter essence without extra calories or fat.
What is butter flavored salt?
Butter flavored salt, also sometimes called movie theater salt, is simply regular salt that has been mixed with butter flavoring. The flavoring is usually made from natural dairy or vegetable sources, though artificial flavors can also be used. Some common flavor notes in butter salts include diacetyl, benzaldehyde, and lipolyzed butter oil. These flavor compounds mimic the taste of real butter without any actual butterfat.
To make butter flavored salt, flavorings are blended into regular salt crystals, flakes, or powder. The salt absorbs and carries the butter taste. Butter salts may range in color from white to pale yellow depending on the type and amount of flavoring used. The flavor is designed to be potent so that only a small sprinkling imparts a noticeable butter essence.
How is butter flavored salt made?
Butter salts are made through a relatively simple process of mixing and infusion. The basic steps are:
Selecting the butter flavoring
The first step is to choose a natural or artificial butter flavoring. Natural flavorings are derived from real dairy products, cultures, and oils. Artificial flavors use synthetic compounds to mimic butter’s taste. The flavors are concentrated so only small amounts are needed.
Choosing a salt
Plain salt, sea salt, kosher salt, or flavored salt can be used as the base. Finer salts allow more surface area for absorbing butter flavors. Salt crystals, flakes, or powders are common formats.
Mixing and infusing
The butter flavoring and salt are measured out and thoroughly mixed together. The mixture rests for a period of time, allowing the salt grains to fully absorb and become infused with the butter flavor.
Drying and blending
If the salt has become damp during infusion, it may be dried out before final mixing. Additional butter flavors or anti-caking agents may also be added. The fully flavored salt is then package for sale and use.
Types of butter flavored salt
There are a few basic varieties of butter salt available:
Natural butter salt
This features natural dairy-derived flavors like butter oil and milk solids. It has a more authentic, creamy butter taste. Popular brands include David’s Natural Butter Salt and Tarragon Butter Salt.
Artificial butter salt
Made with synthetic flavorings designed to replicate butter. Tend to have a very potent, movie-theater style butter flavor. Popcorn Salt is a common example.
Gourmet butter salts
Use higher quality sea salts, artisanal butters, and unique ingredients to create upscale flavored butter salts. Often sold at gourmet shops. Truffle butter salt is one exciting variety.
Flavored butter salts
Butter salt that also includes complementary flavors like garlic, herbs, citrus, or smoked paprika. Provides additional layered flavors along with the butter essence.
How to use butter flavored salt
Butter salt can be used as a seasoning anywhere you want to add a butter taste without actual butter or oil. Just sprinkle it on. The small amount needed to provide flavor means it won’t make foods overly salty. Some of the most popular uses are:
Popcorn
This is butter salt’s claim to fame. Just a dash over freshly popped popcorn makes it taste like movie theater popcorn. The flakes stick nicely to the kernels.
Baked potatoes
A sprinkling of butter salt over a hot baked potato, sweet potato, or yam provides a tasty, butter-like flavor burst.
Buttered toast
Lightly season hot toast or rolls with butter salt instead of actual butter. Provides a vegan friendly, low fat option.
Corn on the cob
Brush ears of grilled corn with a thin coating of butter salt for a quick dose of buttery richness.
Roasted vegetables
Toss vegetables like carrots, Brussels sprouts, squash, and cauliflower with a bit of butter salt before or after roasting.
Popcorn shrimp
Toss breaded popcorn shrimp or other fried foods in butter salt to mimic the flavors of restaurant appetizers.
Scrambled eggs
Add a pinch of butter salt to scrambled eggs in place of butter to cut fat and calories without sacrificing flavor.
Benefits of butter flavored salt
Butter flavored salt offers several advantages:
Provides butter taste without the fat
Using a butter salt allows you to impart a rich, creamy butter flavor without the high amounts of fat and calories of real butter or margarine. This makes it ideal for low fat or vegan diets. Just a small sprinkle packs a big butter punch.
Doesn’t change food texture
Since it adds no moisture, butter salt won’t make foods greasy or soggy like actual butter can. Foods maintain their proper texture.
Convenient to use
Butter salts require no prep or messy cleanup. Just grab and shake on as desired – no spreading required. It’s an easy way to add butter essence anytime.
Shelf stable
Properly stored, butter salt will keep its flavor for months. It does not need refrigeration like real butter. The shaker bottles keep out moisture and air.
Enhances other seasonings
Butter salts complement other herbs, spices, citrus, garlic, etc. The butter flavor acts as a background note that makes other seasonings pop.
Potential downsides
While butter flavored salts have advantages, there are a few potential drawbacks as well:
High sodium content
Like regular salt, these products are high in sodium. This may be a concern for those monitoring sodium intake for health reasons. However, the small amount used for flavor makes its sodium contribution minimal.
Not real butter flavor
The synthetic flavorings can have a chemical taste and lack the depth and complexity of real butter. Some may find the flavor unnatural or overly strong.
Health concerns with artificial flavors
Certain artificial butter flavorings may be made with processed ingredients or solvents. While regulations ensure safety, some may prefer to avoid artificial flavors.
Not suitable for those with dairy/milk allergies
People with dairy and milk allergies need to avoid even natural dairy-derived butter flavorings. Artificial or vegan options would be recommended instead.
How to store butter flavored salt
To best preserve the flavor and shelf life of butter salts:
– Keep in a cool, dry place away from heat, light, and moisture
– Store at room temperature; do not refrigerate
– Keep sealed tightly in original container
– Avoid transferring to other containers that may introduce moisture
– Use within 1-2 years for peak flavor
Proper storage keeps the butter flavor compounds intact and prevent caking or clumping of the salt grains. An air-tight shaker bottle is ideal for retention of aroma and ease of use.
Butter salt recipes
Here are some delicious ways to use butter flavored salts:
Buttered movie theater popcorn
Ingredients:
- 1/3 cup popcorn kernels
- 2 tbsp vegetable oil
- 1 tbsp butter flavored salt
Instructions:
- Heat oil in a large pot over medium high heat.
- Add popcorn kernels in a single layer and cover.
- Once popping slows to 2-3 seconds between pops, remove from heat.
- Transfer popped popcorn to a large bowl.
- Drizzle butter flavored salt over popcorn and toss gently to coat.
- Serve immediately.
Butter salt roasted potatoes
Ingredients:
- 1 lb new potatoes, cut in half
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tbsp butter flavored salt
Instructions:
- Preheat oven to 400°F.
- Toss potatoes with olive oil and garlic powder.
- Arrange in a single layer on a baking sheet.
- Roast 25-30 minutes, flipping once halfway through.
- Remove from oven and immediately toss with butter salt.
- Serve warm.
Butter salt grilled corn
Ingredients:
- 4 ears of corn, shucked
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 2 tsp butter flavored salt
Instructions:
- Brush corn lightly with olive oil.
- Grill over medium heat 8-10 minutes, turning occasionally.
- Brush ears with a little more oil after grilling.
- Sprinkle evenly with butter salt.
- Serve hot off the grill.
Where to buy butter flavored salt
Butter salts can be found at most supermarkets, spice shops, and online:
Grocery stores
Check the spice aisle at stores like Walmart, Kroger, Publix, Safeway, etc. McCormick is a common brand.
Big box stores
Stores like Costco, Sam’s Club, and BJ’s sometimes carry larger containers of butter salt. Great value for popping big batches of popcorn.
Popcorn and candy shops
Specialty popcorn stores will have butter salt along with fun popcorn seasonings. May come in larger bulk sizes.
Spice retailers
Penzeys Spices, Savory Spice, Spice House and other spice sellers offer various butter salts. Nice if you want to buy several flavors.
Online
Amazon has a huge selection of butter salts available. Helpful for hard to find brands or flavors.
Direct from brands
Some brands like David’s and Rustic Bakery sell their butter salts direct through their own websites.
Restaurant supply
Commercial sizes of butter salt are sold at restaurant and foodservice supply companies. Perfect for concessions, theaters, etc.
Price of butter flavored salt
Butter salt is relatively affordable, especially considering that only a small amount is needed to provide flavor. Here are some typical price points:
– Standard grocery store butter salts range from $2-5 for a 3-5 oz bottle. This is enough for many uses.
– Bulk sizes like 1 lb bags may run $8-12 at warehouse stores. More economical for frequent use.
– Artisan butter salt varieties can cost $5-15 for a 3-5 oz jar. Pricier but offer premium flavors.
– Commercial sizes for food service start around $20 for a 1 lb container up to $70 for a 10 lb pail. Great value for high volume use.
– Bulk butter salt for manufacturing is sold by the pound for $1-5, depending on quality and quantity purchased.
– Overall, butter flavored salt provides a lot of flavor bang for your buck. Just a sprinkle packs a big butter taste.
Butter flavored salt vs. real butter
Butter salt can add a rich, salty butter flavor to foods without using real butter. Here’s how it compares:
| Butter Salt | Real Butter |
|---|---|
| Provides concentrated butter flavor from natural or artificial sources | Imparts genuine, complex butter taste from milkfat |
| Fat and cholesterol free | High in saturated fat and cholesterol |
| Vegan versions available | Contains dairy so not vegan |
| Won’t change texture or make foods greasy | Can make foods rich and oily |
| Has longer shelf life | Requires refrigeration |
| Simply shake on | Needs to be spread |
| Lower calorie; minimal use needed | Calorie dense |
Ultimately butter salt shines when you want to add a pure hit of buttery flavor without the rich fattiness and calories of real butter. It offers a convenient, tasty alternative in low fat cooking. However, for those who don’t need to restrict fat and calories, real butter provides a fresher, fuller, more nuanced butteriness.
Butter flavored salt FAQs
Here are answers to some frequently asked questions about butter salt:
Is butter flavored salt healthy?
Like regular salt, it’s high in sodium so those restricting sodium need to use sparingly. However, the small amount provides big flavor with negligible calories or fat. Some brands use all natural flavors. Overall it’s a healthy flavor enhancer in moderation, especially when replacing high fat butter.
What’s the best popcorn to use with butter salt?
Most any popcorn will work well. Many prefer white popcorn kernels with high pop volume so there’s lots of surface area to adhere the butter salt flakes to. Some coated popcorns already have butter flavor so go light on the salt.
Can you use real melted butter with butter flavored salt?
Yes, combining the two can provide an extra rich butter taste. Brush popcorn with melted butter first, then sprinkle on butter salt. Too much of both may be overkill though.
Is butter salt good on eggs?
It’s great for seasoning eggs! Add to scrambled eggs, omelets, frittatas or quiches in place of regular salt for a buttery flavor. Goes well with cheese, bacon, veggies and other omelet fillings.
What can I use instead of butter flavored salt?
For low fat butter flavor, try using a small amount of olive oil or cooking spray along with a pinch of regular salt. Lemon juice and herbs also enhance buttery taste. Nutritional yeast has a cheesy, buttery profile. If avoiding salt, herbs and lemon provide similar brightness.
Conclusion
Butter flavored salt is an ingenious way to add a rich, creamy butter taste to all kinds of savory foods without the extra fat, calories, or mess of actual butter. Just a sprinkle of this magical seasoning imparts a lovely butter essence that enhances many dishes. With options ranging from all natural to artificial, gourmet to bulk, butter salts suit any culinary need. Keep a shaker on hand to effortlessly butter up veggies, eggs, popcorn and more – movie theater butter flavor is just a dash away.