Updated 30 July 2026 · Written by MKB Team
Most bakers use unsalted butter because it lets you control exactly how much salt goes into a recipe, and it tends to be fresher, since salt acts as a preservative in salted butter. Salt content also varies by brand. You can bake with salted butter; just reduce the added salt by about a quarter teaspoon per stick.
Use unsalted butter for control and freshness. With salted butter, cut the recipe’s added salt by about 1/4 teaspoon per stick.
Why Bakers Choose Unsalted
Unsalted butter puts you in charge of the salt, which matters in baking where balance is precise. It is also often fresher, because salt is a preservative that lets salted butter sit longer. And since brands salt their butter differently, unsalted removes that guesswork.
Using Salted Butter Instead
If salted butter is all you have, use it and reduce the recipe’s added salt by roughly a quarter teaspoon for each stick, then taste where you can. For accurate amounts, see how many grams are in a stick of butter. Weigh ingredients on a kitchen scale for reliable bakes.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use salted butter for baking?
Yes. Just reduce the added salt in the recipe by about a quarter teaspoon per stick of butter to keep the balance right.
Why do recipes call for unsalted butter?
So you control the salt precisely, since salted butter varies by brand. Unsalted butter is also usually fresher, as salt acts as a preservative.
