Substitute for Unsalted butter
Out of unsalted butter mid-recipe? Here is the exact swap, measured — not "about a cup of something similar" — plus every alternative that genuinely works.
For 1 cup of unsalted butter
1 cup salted butter
Then omit ½ tsp of the recipe's added salt per cup of butter (¼ tsp per stick).
Data & method: Ratios follow standard US test-kitchen practice (King Arthur Baking's ingredient guides are the primary cross-check). Every number is checked by an automated test against its source. How we calculate →
Scaled to what your recipe calls for
Salted butter, salt reduced, computed for the amounts recipes actually use:
| Recipe needs | Use instead |
|---|---|
| ¼ cup of unsalted butter | ¼ cup salted butter |
| ½ cup of unsalted butter | ½ cup salted butter |
| ¾ cup of unsalted butter | ¾ cup salted butter |
| 1 cup of unsalted butter | 1 cup salted butter |
| 1½ cup of unsalted butter | 1½ cups salted butter |
| 2 cup of unsalted butter | 2 cups salted butter |
Need a different amount — or a different ingredient?
The calculator scales every option to your exact amount, for all 17 staples we cover.
Best swap Salted butter, salt reduced
1 cup salted butter
Then omit ½ tsp of the recipe's added salt per cup of butter (¼ tsp per stick).
Other swaps bakers look for
Frequently Asked Questions
What can I use instead of unsalted butter?
The best swap for 1 cup of unsalted butter is 1 cup salted butter — then omit ½ tsp of the recipe's added salt per cup of butter (¼ tsp per stick).
How much substitute do I use for a different amount of unsalted butter?
Scale the parts linearly. The table on this page covers the common amounts, and the calculator scales every option to exactly what your recipe calls for — never a vague "adjust to taste".