The Butter Brand You Should Keep Off Of Your Grocery List

Butter can be one of the more costly items on a grocery list, so you want to secure a superior brand to get your money's worth. While you won't find Animal Farm Creamery butter in every store, there are some quality products to be had from the supermarket. There are also some to avoid. Foodie's very own Hunter Reis compiled a comprehensive list of the best grocery store butter brands, and according to that report, one brand didn't make the grade.

Kroger spreadable butter with olive oil and sea salt sounds flavorful, but that is where the appeal ends. The flavor is devoid of the rich depth of creamy goodness better quality brands have in store, and its off-white hue (compared to the luscious golden yellow you want to see) is likewise unenticing. Reis did indicate the sea salt was a nice touch, but that is where the praise concluded. Kroger's product is more reminiscent of margarine than the tasty spread you likely want on your kitchen counter. 

Of course, sometimes less exceptional items in the supermarket go on sale, and it feels like you are missing out if you don't take advantage. If you can't pass up a deal, there are some ways to get the most out of Kroger butter.

If you must use Kroger brand butter, it is wise to do so in a limited capacity. It won't stand out as particularly flavorful on its own, so making it into a festive compound cranberry butter or spreading it onto a muffin isn't the best idea. Instead, use it for simple tasks like sautéing vegetables. It probably isn't going to add anything special in terms of flavor to your veggies, but it likewise won't mask any of the seasonings you add to give them some zest.

Another way you could use Kroger's butter without making it a main element of your cuisine is to substitute it in a meal that normally calls for vegetable or canola oil. These oils don't typically add much flavor to a dish, so you won't be missing out on anything by swapping them out for a butter that lacks a creamy richness. Melt the butter, cool it to room temperature, and use the same amount as you would oil to keep the recipe consistent. There are much better brands of butter to choose from in the grocery store, but if you can't resist a sale, there are at least a few ways to make use of this subpar spread.