Ingredient Guide•Butter
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Dairy & EggsPeasAncient Near East
ButterCalories, Nutrition Facts, Culinary Uses & Recipes
Scientific Name:Bos taurus (product)
Also known as:
MakhanDairy Butter
Butter is churned dairy fat. Adds richness and flavor. Contains fat-soluble vitamins. Used in cooking and baking.
Calories (100g)717 kcal
Dietary ProfileVegetarian
Default UnitTablespoon
Calories in Butter & Nutritional Facts
Standard food-composition values per 100g edible portion and realistic serving portions
How many calories are in Butter?
100 grams of Butter (raw/dry reference weight) provides approximately 717 kcal, 0.1g carbohydrates, 0.9g protein, 81.0g fat, and 0.0g dietary fiber. A realistic single-person portion of 50g contains roughly 359 kcal before cooking oils or garnishes.
717.0kcal
Calories
0.9g
Protein
0.1g
Carbs
81.0g
Fat
0.0g
Fiber
0.1g
Sugar
| Portion Size | Calories | Carbs | Protein | Fat | Fiber |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Per 30g (Small / 2–3 Tbsp) | 215 kcal | 0.0g | 0.3g | 24.3g | 0.0g |
| Per 50g (Standard Home Serving) | 359 kcal | 0.1g | 0.5g | 40.5g | 0.0g |
| Per 100g (Standard Reference) | 717 kcal | 0.1g | 0.9g | 81.0g | 0.0g |
Source & Disclaimer: Nutritional figures represent approximate values per 100g edible portion compiled from standard food-composition references (including ICMR-NIN Indian Food Composition Tables & USDA FoodData Central). Values vary by grain thickness, moisture, brand, and added cooking oils or garnishes. Provided for general culinary information only and not as medical or clinical dietary advice.
Storage Instructions
Keep Butter fresh and long-lasting
Room Temperature: Butter lasts about two days on the counter in a covered dish before it goes off, but keep it in the fridge for long-term storage. In the Fridge: Wrapped tightly in foil or an airtight container, it stays fresh for up to three months and easily absorbs fridge smells if left bare. Freezing: You can freeze sticks of butter for up to six months without losing flavor.
Kitchen Preparation & Cooking Uses
Best culinary practices & prep tips
Which Type to Buy: Unsalted butter is best for baking so you can control the salt, while salted butter is great for everyday toast and quick pan sauces. How to Prep: Let cold butter sit on the counter for twenty minutes if you need it soft for creaming in cakes. Best Way to Cook: Melt it over medium-low heat when making a tadka or browning it for pasta so the milk solids turn golden brown without burning.
General Nutritional & Wellness Notes
Everyday dietary context for Butter as part of balanced home cooking
Butter provides good energy and helps your body absorb important vitamins like A, D, and E. It is high in saturated fat, so eat it in moderation as part of a balanced diet. It digests easily for most people and contains short-chain fatty acids that support gut health. While it does not offer much protein or fiber, small amounts fit well into daily meals.
Culinary Uses, Origins & Cultural Heritage
How Butter is used across regional kitchens and history
Common Culinary Uses
Historically, butter was often made from soured cream because refrigeration did not exist to keep milk fresh. As ice houses and later mechanical refrigeration arrived, sweet cream butter became standard in many parts of the world. Ancient cooks also used butter as a medicine, skin ointment, and even fuel for lamps before it became purely a kitchen essential.
Historical Roots
Butter making started thousands of years ago in the ancient Near East and parts of Europe, likely discovered by accident when milk carried in animal skins churned during travel. Nomadic herders found that churning fermented milk produced a rich, solid fat that kept longer than fresh milk. It spread quickly across cold regions where olive oil was hard to make, becoming a staple fat for cooking and baking.
Regional & Cultural Traditions
In Indian homes, fresh white butter known as makhan is traditionally churned at home from malai, often offered to deities like Lord Krishna, who is famously known as a butter thief. Across Europe and North America, butter became a symbol of rich cooking, central to French pastries and everyday comfort food. Many cultures use clarified butter, such as ghee in India or smen in North Africa, to preserve the fat in hot climates.
Did You Know?
During ancient Roman times, people did not use butter as a common table food like we do today, but rather as a cosmetic lotion and medicine. In some cold northern European countries during the Middle Ages, people paid their taxes using blocks of butter.
Chef & Cooking Tips
If your butter starts to burn while frying, add a tiny splash of neutral oil or a small spoonful of water to lower the temperature and stop it from turning bitter. When browning butter, swirl the pan often so you can smell the nutty aroma and see the milk solids turn amber without sticking to the bottom.
Recipes Using Butter
Explore 1 recipe featuring Butter
Frequently Asked Questions about Butter
Common questions on calories, cooking methods, and kitchen storage
How many calories are in Butter?
Per 100 grams (raw/dry reference weight), Butter contains approximately 717 kcal, 0.1g carbohydrates, 0.9g protein, 81.0g fat, and 0.0g dietary fiber. A typical 50g culinary portion provides roughly 359 kcal before cooking oils, butter, or garnishes are added.
What is Butter and how is it used in cooking?
Butter is churned dairy fat. Adds richness and flavor. Contains fat-soluble vitamins. Used in cooking and baking.
How do you prepare and cook with Butter?
Which Type to Buy: Unsalted butter is best for baking so you can control the salt, while salted butter is great for everyday toast and quick pan sauces. How to Prep: Let cold butter sit on the counter for twenty minutes if you need it soft for creaming in cakes. Best Way to Cook: Melt it over medium-low heat when making a tadka or browning it for pasta so the milk solids turn golden brown without burning.
How should Butter be stored to keep it fresh?
Room Temperature: Butter lasts about two days on the counter in a covered dish before it goes off, but keep it in the fridge for long-term storage. In the Fridge: Wrapped tightly in foil or an airtight container, it stays fresh for up to three months and easily absorbs fridge smells if left bare. Freezing: You can freeze sticks of butter for up to six months without losing flavor.
What are the nutritional qualities of Butter?
Butter provides good energy and helps your body absorb important vitamins like A, D, and E. It is high in saturated fat, so eat it in moderation as part of a balanced diet. It digests easily for most people and contains short-chain fatty acids that support gut health. While it does not offer much protein or fiber, small amounts fit well into daily meals. (For general culinary reference only, not medical advice.)
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