SALTED BUTTER vs UNSALTED BUTTER
Nutrition comparison per 100 g serving
Salted vs unsalted butter: what actually differs
On paper these two are almost the same butter. Per 100 grams both carry 714 calories, 78.57 grams of fat, 50 grams of saturated fat and 214 mg of cholesterol, with no protein or carbohydrate to speak of. If you are counting calories or fat, it makes no difference which one you reach for.
The one number that moves is sodium. Salted butter brings about 643 mg of sodium per 100 grams, while unsalted sits near zero. In normal use you spread far less than 100 grams, so a single pat of salted butter adds only a little sodium, but it adds up fast in baking where butter is measured by the stick.
The verdict
Pick unsalted when you want to control the salt yourself, which matters most in baking and on a low sodium diet. Pick salted for everyday spreading and flavor. The calories, fat and cholesterol are the same either way.
Overview
| Nutrient | SALTED BUTTER | UNSALTED BUTTER | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Calories | 714 cal | 714 cal | Tie |
| Protein | 0 g | 0 g | Tie |
| Carbs | 0 g | 0 g | Tie |
| Fat | 78.6 g | 78.6 g | Tie |
| Fiber | 0 g | 0 g | Tie |
| Sugar | 0 g | 0 g | Tie |
Minerals
| Mineral | SALTED BUTTER | UNSALTED BUTTER | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Calcium, Ca | 0 MG | 0 MG | Tie |
| Iron, Fe | 0 MG | 0 MG | Tie |
| Potassium, K | 0 MG | 0 MG | Tie |
| Sodium, Na | 643 MG | 0 MG |
Frequently asked questions
Is unsalted butter healthier than salted butter?
Only in terms of sodium. Both have the same 714 calories and 78.57 grams of fat per 100 grams. Unsalted has almost no sodium, while salted carries about 643 mg per 100 grams, so unsalted is the better choice if you are watching salt.
Can I use salted and unsalted butter interchangeably?
Yes for spreading and most cooking. In baking, recipes often assume unsalted so you can control the total salt. If you only have salted butter, reduce the added salt in the recipe to compensate.
How much sodium is in salted butter?
About 643 mg per 100 grams. A single teaspoon is roughly 5 grams, so it adds around 30 mg of sodium, which is small for one serving but meaningful when a recipe uses several sticks.
Do salted and unsalted butter have the same calories?
Yes. Both are 714 calories per 100 grams with 78.57 grams of fat. Salt does not add calories, so the energy content is identical.