Does It Actually Matter If You Use Salted Or Unsalted Butter In A Recipe?

Picture it: your kitchen, present day. You have scoured your favorite cookbook, blog, or maybe even social media platform for what, at first, seemed like the perfect, easy weeknight dinner — or maybe even chosen a more challenging baking project. You've dusted off an old test-taking trick and read all of the instructions before beginning, gathered your ingredients, and readied yourself for a proper turn at the burners. But something, somehow, escaped your grasp. The darn recipe just calls for "butter," specifying neither salted or unsalted. Keep calm and imagine, further, that The Cake Girl's owner, Kristina Lavallee, is right there with you; Chowhound has already gathered her guidance on this very slippery matter. Truth is, it's probably going to be okay either way.

"This is one of the most debated topics in baking," the confectionery entrepreneur shared with Chowhound exclusively. Lavallee sides with team salt every time, citing its consistency and flavor enhancing properties. But she also acknowledges the adaptability of saline-free. "It all comes down to your recipe and your preference," Lavallee says. "I would also suggest becoming comfortable with a brand you test and enjoy, as different brands have different salt profiles." This would mirror her own professional approach to constant winning results, preparation after preparation.

When you're in a real pinch, a quick re-read of your recipe is key. If it just lists "butter" as an ingredient, calling for zero additional salt, you can probably use that pre-seasoned dairy. If it names butter and some extra portion of the mineral, opt for unsalted butter (if you have it). If not, consider walking back those extra salt shakes, if reasonably possible.

Kristina Lavallee has a more precise calculation for this very occasion: "If you did choose to use salted butter in a recipe that calls for unsalted, you would want to reduce the amount of added salt by around ¼ teaspoon per stick," she says. "By reducing the amount of added salt, it will keep things more balanced without tasting overly salty." Also, consider sticking to recipes that are a little more explicit about said ingredients, such as Chowhound's own foolproof roast chicken, which calls for unsalted butter, for an impressive, deceptively simple dinner.