The Ultimate Guide to Supermarket Butters: 13 Top Picks for 2026
Butter has reclaimed its status as a kitchen essential, moving beyond past health concerns to be celebrated as a delicious part of a balanced diet. With prices rising by around 19% in the past year, selecting the right butter is more important than ever. Food writer Emma Henderson embarked on a comprehensive taste test, sampling 16 salted butters to identify the finest options available in supermarkets today.
Why Butter Matters in Modern Diets
Once criticised for its saturated fat content, butter is now viewed more favourably by nutritionists and chefs alike. Sales data reflects this resurgence: Waitrose reports a 16% increase in its Essentials salted butter sales compared to last year, while flavoured butters have seen a 24% rise in UK sales over the past 12 months. From simple toast toppings to gourmet cooking, butter's versatility and rich flavour make it a staple in households across the country.
Testing Methodology: How We Found the Best Butters
Emma Henderson conducted her tests using a consistent approach to ensure fair comparisons. She sampled each butter on slices of Sainsbury's multiseeded bread, evaluating them based on three key criteria:
- Taste and creaminess: Assessing richness, salt balance, and flavour complexity.
- Texture: Looking for smooth, non-greasy spreads that enhance the eating experience.
- Value: Considering price points in relation to quality, especially as most blocks now cost just under £3.
This rigorous process helped narrow down the selection to the 13 standout products featured below.
Top Supermarket Butters for Every Need
Here are the best supermarket butters for 2026, categorised to help you find the perfect match for your preferences and budget.
Best Overall: Sainsbury's Taste the Difference West Country Farmhouse Butter
This Somerset-made butter impressed with its bright yellow colour and premium ingredients, including Maldon sea salt flakes. The slow churning process using whey cream from cheese production gives it a rich, savoury tang and creamy texture. Priced at £3 for 250g, it offers exceptional quality without breaking the bank.
Best Budget Option: M&S British Salted Butter
At just £2 for 250g, this butter provides excellent value for everyday use. Lightly salted and balanced in flavour, it's perfect for families or frequent users. Made from milk sourced from M&S selected farms, it delivers consistent creaminess and reliability.
Best Creamy Butter: Kerrygold Pure Irish Salted Butter
Renowned for its quality, Kerrygold uses milk from grass-fed cows in Ireland's lush pastures. This results in a velvety, creamy texture with a subtle saltiness. Though slightly smaller at 200g for £2, its rich flavour makes it a favourite among butter enthusiasts.
Best Luxury Choice: M&S Cornish Gold Butter with Sea Salt
Produced by Rodda's, famous for Cornish clotted cream, this butter features traditional churning and Cornish sea salt crystals. Its bright yellow hue and indulgent taste justify the £4 price tag for 250g, making it ideal for special occasions.
Best Locally-Produced Butter: Trewithen Salted Butter
Hailing from Cornwall, this butter has won two-star Great Taste Awards. It offers a complex, tangy flavour with easy spreadability, often available at reduced prices in supermarkets like Sainsbury's and Tesco. At £3 for 250g, it represents excellent value for a premium product.
Best Everyday Butter: Sainsbury's British Butter
As one of the cheapest options at £2 for 250g, this butter is mild and versatile, suitable for baking or sandwiches. While it lacks strong flavour, its affordability makes it a practical choice for high-volume households.
Best Ethical Butter: Yeo Valley Organic Salted Butter
This organic butter from Somerset prioritises high animal welfare and sustainable practices. Creamy and well-salted, it's a great all-rounder at just over £3 for 200g, appealing to environmentally conscious consumers.
Best French Butter: Waitrose No.1 French Butter with Sea Salt Crystals
Made in Brittany following traditional methods, this butter has a higher butterfat content for a rich, tangy taste. The sea salt crystals add a delightful crunch, though at £4 for 250g, it's a splurge worth savouring on crusty bread.
Best Jersey Butter: M&S Salted Jersey Butter
Churned on the island of Jersey, this butter boasts a complex flavour with generous salting. Its creamy texture and slight tang make it perfect for leisurely breakfasts, priced at £3 for 250g.
Best Subtly Salted Butter: Waitrose Duchy Organic English Salted Butter
Organic and supporting charitable causes through the Duchy, this butter is lightly salted and balanced. However, at £4 for 250g, it's the most expensive on the list, with flavour that may not justify the cost for all buyers.
Best Slightly Salted Organic Butter: Sainsbury's Slightly Salted SO Organic Butter
Soil Association certified, this butter offers a hint of salt with a mild, slightly sweet taste. Made from organic British milk, it's a delicate option for those preferring lighter flavours, at £3 for 250g.
Best Butter with Chunky Salt: Tesco Finest Butter with Sea Salt Crystals
From Tesco's premium range, this West Country butter features noticeable salt crystals that provide a pleasant zing. Priced at £3 for 250g, it combines quality with affordability.
Best Spreadable Butter: Anchor Salted Butter
Double-churned for creaminess, Anchor butter is easy to spread and subtly salted. As a farmer-owned brand with a long history, it offers reliability at £2 for 200g, though some may find it slightly greasy.
Expert Insights and Final Recommendations
Emma Henderson's testing highlights that the best butter depends on individual needs: Sainsbury's Taste the Difference for overall excellence, M&S British for budget-friendly quality, and Waitrose No.1 French for luxury. With butter prices unlikely to drop soon, investing in a quality product can enhance everyday meals. Whether you're slathering it on toast or using it in recipes, these top picks ensure you get the most flavour for your money.
