13 Best Supermarket Butters for 2026, Expertly Taste-Tested and Ranked
As the cost of butter has surged by approximately 19 per cent over the past year, discerning which brands deliver exceptional quality and value has become increasingly crucial for consumers. Whether lavishly spread on toast or melted over a baked potato, premium butter can transform simple dishes into culinary delights. Its versatility extends from lunchbox sandwiches to homemade baked goods, cementing its status as a kitchen staple. Historically, butter faced criticism due to its saturated fat content, but contemporary perspectives now embrace it as part of a balanced and varied diet.
In fact, butter is experiencing a resurgence in popularity. Waitrose has reported a 16 per cent increase in sales of its Essentials salted butter compared to the previous year, while flavoured butter varieties have seen a 24 per cent rise in UK sales over the past twelve months, according to Worldpanel trend data. Esteemed chef Nigella Lawson advocates for butter on toast, preferring unsalted butter layered twice and topped with sea salt flakes. For this review, however, only salted butters were evaluated to provide a straightforward and practical guide for shoppers.
With most blocks of butter now priced just below £3, finding affordable yet high-quality options is more important than ever. After extensive tasting sessions involving numerous slices of toast, our food writer has compiled a definitive list of the finest supermarket butters available in 2026. Below, we present the top thirteen selections, meticulously assessed for taste, texture, and value.
Our Top Picks for Supermarket Butters
- Best Supermarket Butter Overall: Sainsbury's Taste the Difference West Country Farmhouse Butter – Priced at £3, this Somerset-made butter features Maldon sea salt flakes and a rich, creamy texture with a savoury tang.
- Best Cheap Supermarket Butter: M&S British Salted Butter – At £2, this affordable option offers a balanced, lightly salted flavour perfect for everyday use.
- Best Creamy Supermarket Butter: Kerrygold Pure Irish Salted Butter – Costing £3, this butter is made from grass-fed cows' milk, delivering a velvety, creamy consistency.
- Best Luxurious Supermarket Butter: M&S Cornish Gold Butter with Sea Salt – Priced at £4, this Cornish butter includes sea salt crystals and boasts an ultra-creamy, indulgent profile.
- Best Locally-Produced Butter: Trewithen Salted Butter – At £3, this Cornish butter is a Great Taste Award winner with a complex, tangy flavour.
- Best Everyday Supermarket Butter: Sainsbury's British Butter – The cheapest at £2, this mild butter is ideal for baking and sandwiches.
- Best Ethical Supermarket Butter: Yeo Valley Organic Salted Butter – Priced around £3 for 200g, this organic option from Somerset prioritises high welfare standards and sustainability.
- Best French Supermarket Butter: Waitrose No.1 French Butter with Sea Salt Crystals – At £4, this Breton-style butter offers a tangy, rich taste with a higher butterfat content.
- Best Jersey Supermarket Butter: M&S Salted Jersey Butter – Costing £3, this butter from Jersey provides a creamy, well-salted flavour with a slight tang.
- Best Subtly Salted Supermarket Butter: Waitrose Duchy Organic English Salted Butter – Priced at £4, this organic butter supports charitable causes and features a light saltiness.
- Best Slightly Salted Organic Supermarket Butter: Sainsbury's Slightly Salted SO Organic Butter – At £3, this Soil Association certified butter offers a delicate, mildly salted taste.
- Best Butter with Chunky Salt: Tesco Finest Butter with Sea Salt Crystals – Priced at £3, this West Country butter includes noticeable salt crystals for a zesty kick.
- Best Spreadable Supermarket Butter: Anchor Salted Butter – At £2 for 200g, this double-churned butter is easy to spread and subtly salted.
Testing Methodology and Trustworthiness
The evaluation process involved testing sixteen salted butters over several days. Each butter was assessed by spreading a generous amount on toast made from Sainsbury's multiseeded loaf, followed by tasting them plain. Key criteria included taste and creaminess, texture, and value for money. The reviewer, Emma Henderson, is a seasoned food writer and former editor of IndyEats, with expertise in supermarket product testing, ensuring reliable and authoritative recommendations.
For those seeking further culinary insights, additional reviews such as supermarket olive oil taste tests are available. This comprehensive guide aims to help consumers make informed choices amidst rising butter prices, highlighting options that truly justify their cost.
