Butter vs Olive Oil: Which is Better? A Complete Comparison

For a long time people have been debating over the use of butter or olive oil. It’s a topic which many of my clients bring up during my health coaching sessions. The most common thing people want to know is, what is better butter or olive oil?

Olive oil is better than butter due to its higher percentage of healthy fats and lower percentage of unhealthy fats. It contains 213% more healthy monounsaturated fats than butter. Butter contains 266% more unhealthier saturated fats per tablespoon than olive oil. Olive oil has a higher smoke point and costs less per tablespoon.

This article will include a side-by-side nutrient comparison of the two. I’ll examine if there are times butter should be used instead of olive oil and when they should substitute for each other. In addition, I’ll take a close look at their tastes, prices and health benefits.

I’ve purchased, researched and consumed both prior to, during and sometimes after writing this article.

Butter vs Olive Oil: The Differences

Olive oil is made by extracting the oil from olives using heat and/or chemicals. Butter is made by separating the fat from cow’s milk. At room temperatures, butter is a solid and olive oil is a liquid. Butter tastes creamier and has a shorter shelf life. Olive oil has a higher smoke point than butter.

Let’s Examine Butter

Made from the milk of cows.
Has a creamy, rich flavor.
Cost a little more money per tablespoon.
Has a lower smoke point.
Typically the color is white to a light yellow.

Cooking with butter. — Cooking with butter

Butter is made by the following process:

Whole milk from cows is added to a machine called a separator.
The separator spins dividing the fat from the milk and the liquid.
The fat is added to a tank where the pasteurization process takes place.
During pasteurization the fat is treated with heat to kill bacteria.
From the pasteurization tank the fat is moved to a churner where the fat is spun.
Once the fat is churned, the finished butter is packaged and shipped for sale.

Olive Oil

Made from olives using heat and chemicals.
Has a mild, peppery flavor.
Cost less money.
Has a higher smoke point.

It is made by the following method:

Made by using the leftover paste from making extra virgin olive oil.
The leftover paste is heated and kneaded with chemicals to release more oil, water and residue from the paste.
The oil is separated from the water and residue.
The oil is filtered and bottled as olive oil.
The Italian varieties are the most popular.

All olive oils are held to certain USDA grade standards. Extra virgin olive oil (EVOO) is certified as having the highest grade standards for excellent flavor, odor and free fatty acid content. The extra virgin oil must not exceed 0.8 grams of oleic acid per 100 grams.

Nutrient Comparison

The following table compares the nutrients contained in one tablespoon:

	Olive Oil (1 Tbsp/13.5 grams)	Butter (unsalted) (1 Tbsp/13.5 grams)
Calories	119	97
Protein	0 g	0.1 g
Carbohydrates	0 g	0 g
Fiber	0 g	0 g
Total Fat	13.5 g	10.9 g
Sugar	0 g	0 g
Sodium	0.27 mg	1.48 g
Vitamin K	8.13 mcg	0.94 mcg
Vitamin E	1.94 mg	0.31 mg
Vitamin A	0 IU	2,500 IU
Potassium	0.135 mg	3.24 mg
Phosphorus	0.135 mg	3.24 mg
Iron	0.076 mg	0.002 mg
Calcium	0.135 mg	3.24 mg
Omega-3	103 mg	42 g
Omega-6	1,318 mg	368 g
Saturated Fat	1.86 g	6.81 g
Monounsaturated Fat	9.86 g	3.15 g
Polyunsaturated Fat	1.42 g	0.40 g

Nutrient Resources¹²

While examining the table above it’s difficult to determine which contains more nutrients. This leads many to a question often asked, which is healthier?

Olive oil is a healthier choice than butter due to its higher percentage of heart healthy fats. It contains 213% more monounsaturated fats than butter which has been shown to help reduce the risk of heart disease. It contains fewer saturated fats which are the least desirable fat for bad cholesterol. It also provides more vitamin K, vitamin E and iron than butter.

Butter does contain a good number of nutrients. It provides more vitamin A and trace amounts of potassium, phosphorus and calcium.

Olive oil and butter are both in the fats group. Although, it’s the major difference between the two.

Butter is much higher in saturated fats than olive oil. This has been shown to increase the risk of bad cholesterol and heart disease. High-quality olive oil is healthy and provides a much higher percentage of monounsaturated fats which has been shown to decrease the risk of heart disease and increase good cholesterol.

The Tribune News and Nutrition Expert Tips

Most registered dietitians and nutritionists recommend to use butter for cooking when it makes sense.

The same has been reported by nutrition experts in the Philly and Tribune News. In situations when either one can be used, it’s healthier to use olive oils.

I try to use EEVO at home as much as possible. I use it for low temperature cooking, salads and dipping.

Let’s examine each nutrient a little closer and determine which one has more of a percentage than the other.

Calories

Olive oils contain 22.6% more calories per one tablespoon.

Vitamin K

Olive oil contains 765% more vitamin K per one tablespoon.

Vitamin E

Olive oils contain 526% more vitamin E per one tablespoon.

Vitamin A

Butter contains more vitamin A per one tablespoon.

Potassium

Butter contains 2,300% more potassium per one tablespoon.

Phosphorus

Butter contains 2,300% more phosphorus per one tablespoon.

Iron

Olive oil contains 3,700% more iron per one tablespoon.

Calcium

Butter contains 2,300% more calcium per one tablespoon.

Saturated Fat

Butter contains 266% more saturated fat per one tablespoon.

Monounsaturated Fat

Olive oil contains 213% more monounsaturated fat per one tablespoon.

Polyunsaturated Fat

Olive oil contains 255% more polyunsaturated fat per one tablespoon.

Which to Choose Based on Your Goals

Choosing which food may depend on your particular goal. Therefore, in this section I examine the most common goals people have. I’ll determine which one is the better choice for each one.

Weight Loss

If you’re looking to lose some weight, the number of calories may matter to you. Sometimes the calorie count alone isn’t enough to make a determination about weight loss. This may be one of those times.

Therefore, let’s examine which is better for weight loss.

Even though butter has fewer calories per tablespoon, the difference doesn’t vary significantly. Olive oil is better for weight loss due to its overall healthy fat content. A diet based on healthy fats, like the Mediterranean diet, is associated with weight loss.
The monounsaturated fats has been shown to increase good cholesterol and both have been associated with weight loss in studies³.
It contains a good amount of medium-chain triglycerides which has been associated with weight loss and maintenance in studies⁴.
Studies have shown when people replaced saturated fat with monounsaturated fats they lost weight, despite no change in calories⁵.

Even though it is considered a healthy addition to your diet, at 119 calories per tablespoon the calories can add up pretty fast.

It’s easy to add multiple tablespoons into a salad. Four tablespoons equal 476 calories added to the salad. Always be aware of the number of tablespoons added and try not to overdo it.

The following video compares EVOO and butter.

Low Carb or Keto Diets

The goal of most low-carb diets is to consume few carbohydrates while adding more protein and healthy fat. Every carbohydrate can make a difference depending on the diet followed.

Therefore, let’s examine which one has fewer carbohydrates or more healthy fat.

Olive oil is better for low carb diets than butter due to its higher percentage of healthy fats. It provides 13.5 grams of total fat per tablespoon while butter has 10.9 grams of total fat. Both have an equal number of carbohydrates per tablespoon which is zero grams.
A higher percentage of the fat is the healthier monounsaturated fats. A higher percentage of the fat contained in butter is the less healthier saturated fat.

Bodybuilding

If you’re trying to gain lean muscle mass, the amount of protein and carbohydrates may make a difference. Let’s take a look at each one and determine which is better for bodybuilding.

Although they both contain the same number of proteins and carbohydrates, olive oil is better for bodybuilding. This is due to its higher percentage of healthy fats, antioxidants and calories.

It contains oleic acid which has been shown to stimulate protein production and synthesis⁶.
The antioxidants help fight free radicals and prevent cell damage. It’s difficult to build and repair muscle cells with free radicals.
It is associated with decreases in inflammation which can benefit the joints.
One of its antioxidants, oleocanthal, is an anti-inflammatory that also reduces pain in joints.
When bulking up, the calories may prove beneficial.

Measuring olive oil for a salad. — Using olive oil for a salad

Gluten Free

Avoiding any gluten is the main goal for people who wish to follow a gluten free diet or have Celiac disease. Therefore, let’s examine which one is gluten free.

Butter and olive oil are both gluten free and good for gluten free diets.

Vegan or Vegetarian

If you’re thinking about following a vegan or vegetarian diet consuming dairy products or animal-derived products is important. Knowing which one is vegan or vegetarian friendly may help you choose between the two.

Olive oil is better for vegans than butter made from cream or milk that comes from cows. Some vegetarians may consume butter depending on the type of vegetarian they fall into.

Olive oil is plant based and does not contain animal products making it better for vegans and vegetarians.

Lactose Intolerance

People with lactose intolerance are unable to fully digest the lactose in milk. Lactose intolerance is also called milk intolerance. So knowing which one is better for lactose intolerance is important.

Butter contains low levels of lactose which makes lactose free olive oil better for lactose intolerance. Although the very low lactose levels typically doesn’t affect people with lactose intolerance, it does contain a small amount.

Butter is made by churning cream or milk to separate its solid fat and liquid components. The liquid part of the milk, which contains the lactose, is removed during the processing but small amounts of lactose remain in the finished product.

Taste

Sometimes the nutrients and goals don’t matter much, and the taste is more important. After all, if someone doesn’t like how something tastes, they will probably leave it on the shelf.

Therefore, let’s examine how the taste of both compare.

Olive oil has a slightly strong flavor with a hint of olives and is peppery. Butter is rich and creamy and can taste slight nutty when browned. The extra virgin variety will have more flavor than the refined versions.

I wanted to get the opinion of real people like you by conducting some original research. Therefore, I reached out to some members of food groups, clients and readers. I asked, what tastes better?

49% said they preferred the taste of butter.
39% said they preferred the taste of olive oil.
12% said it depended on the dish or the had no preference.

In the battle of taste, butter tastes better and was the winner in the poll.

The doctor in the following video compares the use of olive oil vs butter.

Substitutions

Have you ever wanted to try a new recipe the last minute and found out you didn’t have the food ingredient at home? Unable to go out to the store or just don’t want to, you’ve probably wondered if you can use one or the other in its place.

Reasons why people will want to substitute one food for the other in a recipe:

Availability
Taste
Variety
Smoke point
Price

This makes people wonder if they can substitute one for each other.

Butter and olive oil can substitute for each other when cooking in temperatures 302°F or less. When cooking in higher temperatures, butter cannot substitute for olive oil due to its lower smoke point. When cooking above 302°F olive oil can substitute for butter up to 470°F when using refined.

They can substitute for each other in cold dishes when the finished flavor is desirable. In addition, they can substitute for each other in some hot dishes after its cooked liked cooked pasta, cooked seafood, room temperature bread or baked bread.

Smoke Points

The following are the smoke points for both:

Type of Oil & Fats	Smoke Point (Fahrenheit)
Butter	302°F
Clarified or Ghee Butter	482°F
Olive Oil – Refined	470°F
Olive Oil – Virgin	410°F
Olive Oil – Extra virgin	375°F

Smoke point source ((Wikipedia: Smoke point))

The Prices

With inflation lately, the price of groceries keeps rising. It seems I spend more and more every month at the supermarket. For this reason and others, I’m sure the prices of food matters to most people.

I checked the price of all store brands to keep things on an even playing field. I divided the price by one tablespoon serving. Therefore, let’s examine the prices of each one.

Butter costs 8.4% more than olive oil per tablespoon. Olive oil average cost per tablespoon is $0.12 and the average price for butter is $0.13 per tablespoon.

To conduct my own research, I checked three different supermarkets located in my area. All the supermarkets are on different levels of pricing. Walmart is the most economical and Stop and Shop being more expensive.

Here are my findings, I first visited Walmart:

Walmart:

Stick butter (Store brand) – 16 ounce $4.48 ($0.14 per tablespoon)
Olive oil (Store brand) – 17 ounce $2.88 ($0.08 per tablespoon)

Stop and Shop:

Stick butter (Store brand) – 16 ounce $4.49 ($0.14 per tablespoon)
Olive oil (Store brand) – 25.3 ounce $6.79 ($0.14 per tablespoon)

Shoprite

Stick butter (Store brand) – 16 ounce $3.99 ($0.12 per tablespoon)
Olive oil (Store brand) – 25.5 ounce $6.49 ($0.13 per tablespoon)

Find out how vegetable oil compared in my article.

checking butter prices in the supermarket — Checking butter prices in the supermarket dairy section

Storage

Good quality food can be costly, therefore, the shelf life you get out of it is important. In addition, improper storage may lessen the taste and quality. Let’s examine how each one should be stored.

Store unopened olive oil in a cool, dark location away from light. It’s best to store it in a tinted glass container. It should be kept at a temperature between 55-60℉, although it can be refrigerated or frozen if needed.

Unopened it should be stored in the refrigerator if the room temperature rises above 70℉. Leaving it in warmer temperatures affects shelf life and lessens the quality.

Due to heat-creating appliances and heated ovens, kitchens tend to be a bit warmer than most other rooms of the house. Therefore, be sure to monitor the temperature of the room.

For the best storage, butter has to be stored in the refrigerator. This is especially true if it is unsalted. Refrigeration slows down the oxidation process which eventually makes it go rancid.

It is unrecommended to keep butter out of refrigeration for more than a couple of days. In addition, if the room temperature is warmer than 70℉, it should be refrigerated.

It can be frozen for longer term storage up to one year.

I store mine in the kitchen cabinet but its in a cool area and away from heat.

Grapeseed oil is another one compared in my article here.

Health Benefits

Olive Oil Benefits

The doctor in the following video explains the benefits of using olive oil.

Cancer

The cancer rates in Mediterranean countries is lower than other places. Extra virgin olive oil consumption is a huge part of the diet in those countries.

Antioxidants are believed to contribute to the killing of cancer cells. In a 2015 study, oleocanthal, a phenolic compound present, helped kill cancer cells in less than one hour⁷.

Another study published in 2015 evaluated the consumption of the Mediterranean diet and the incidence of breast cancer. For a six-year period, 4,282 women aged 60 to 80 years followed three different diets:

Mediterranean diet supplemented with extra virgin olive oil.
Mediterranean diet supplemented with mixed nuts.
A reduced fat diet.

After 4.8 years 35 of the women developed breast cancer. The lowest rate of breast cancer was seen in the women who supplemented with the EVOO⁸.

Oleic acid has been associated with helping to reduce the risk of cancers.

Heart Disease

Heart disease and stroke are among the most common causes of death throughout the world. Studies have shown heart disease is lower in the Mediterranean countries.

There are many ways it is beneficial for the heart including the following:

Blood Vessel Health

It has been shown to help improve the lining of blood vessels. A study published in 2015 showed blood vessels opened up and increased blood flow in people who included olive oil in their diet⁹.

Reducing Inflammation

It is associated with decreases in inflammation which is a main component of heart disease. An antioxidant, oleocanthal, is an anti-inflammatory that also reduces pain¹⁰.

Lowering Blood Pressure

Studies have shown an association between lower blood pressure and an increase in olive oil consumption. The Mediterranean diet has been linked to lower blood pressure and cardiovascular disease¹¹.

Brain Health

Several studies conducted on humans have shown the Mediterranean diet may be associated with a reduced risk of cognitive problems and dementia¹².

Alzheimer’s disease is the most common form of dementia causing problems with thinking, memory and behavior. A common feature of the disease is the build-up of proteins known as beta-amyloid plaques in certain neurons in the brain.

Animal studies have shown extra virgin olive oil to clear the beta-amyloid proteins from the brain helping to prevent Alzheimer’s disease¹³.

Find out how sesame oil compared in my comparison article.

The following video explains a new study on the benefits of olive oil.

Butter Benefits

Digestion

Butyrate is a fatty acid found in butter which has been associated with many digestion benefits.

Butyrate can help improve digestive health by decreasing inflammation in the intestines and support the intake of fluids and electrolytes to promote regularity and electrolyte balance¹⁴.

Butyrate is produced by the good bacteria in the gut and is used as a source of energy for the cells in the intestines.

Some research suggests butyrate may help treating Crohn’s disease because of its anti-inflammatory properties¹⁵.

Finally, butyrate may help in treating irritable bowel syndrome¹⁶.

Conjugated Linoleic Acid (CLA)

CLA is a fat found in dairy and meat products. It has been associated with the following health benefits.

Some studies have shown CLA may help reduce the risk and growth of breast, stomach, prostate, colon and liver cancer¹⁷.

CLA has also shown it may help immune function and decrease the markers of inflammation. In one study, 23 men decreased levels of proteins involved in inflammation after taking CLA for two weeks¹⁸.

Find out how avocado oil compared in my article here.

If you have any questions about this article don’t hesitate to email us. You can find an email on our contact page.