If you've noticed Miyoko's Vegan Butter hasn't been well-stocked lately, then maybe we have an answer for that. Trader Joe's is now making their own buttery spread for $3.99.
The taste
The first time I had Miyoko's Vegan Butter I was a bit suspicious how it could possibly taste like butter. I tried it and realized that other than the color it was pretty spot on in terms of taste and texture.
In fact, in a blind test, I would be hard-pressed to tell which is which. Now, let's see how Trader Joe's Vegan Buttery Spread compares to that shelf staple.
Color- Miyokos tends to be an off-white color. Trader Joe's went that extra step to make it look like butter too. The color here isn't from turmeric but rather beta carotene.
Texture- I wasn't missing any mouthfeel with either of these products. These are both excellent butter substitutes and there is so little that would lead you to believe they weren't butter. And when I say that since they aren't quite as hard as a stick of butter would be out of the refrigerator both are more comparable to margarine. Not a big deal but a small thing you might notice.
Taste- Now for the all-important detail. They both are very much like the real thing. I had mine on a toasted bagel. And I was pleasantly surprised. It had the look, the taste, and the mouthful all without the dairy.
Spreadability- Trader Joe's is softer than Miyokos out of the refrigerator. Not a big deal but it did make it easier for spreading on. my bagel.
So if you are in the market for non-dairy or vegan butter then this product is solid. But overall, don't think that Trader Joe's is white labeling Miyokos. There are still have some substantial differences between the two.
The packaging
This is basic butter packaging. No cardboard on the outside. It's packaged the way regular butter would be. However, unlike butter, there are no units of measurement.
So while the package mentions you can use it as a 1:1 substitute for butter, those little lines to help the home cook measure would have been a nice addition to the packaging but weren't there.
Overall
Trader Joe's Vegan Buttery Spread is priced in line with other vegan butter. Vegan butter is a better value at Trader Joe's than many mass-market grocery stores as well.
If you buy vegan butter this is pretty good.
Would I buy this again?
Did you try it? Let me know what you think in the comments section!
A visual rundown of this product
The package:
The nutritional information and the ingredients:
How to prepare:
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The Bottom Line
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Trader Joe's Vegan Buttery Spread
Product Name: Trader Joe's Vegan Buttery Spread
Product Description: Trader Joe's Vegan Buttery Spread is a new addition in the dairy aisle.
Price: $3.99
Summary
Trader Joe's Vegan Buttery Spread is new and competes with Miyokos
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Taste
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Value
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Worthy of Repurchasing
Pros
- Trader Joe's Vegan Buttery Spread is a tasty spread that is a hint more like margarine than butter but still is pretty good all-around
- Tastes like butter and is well priced.
Cons
- Still more expensive than a regular pound of butter but if vegan or non-dairy is a must then this is a good value.
Now vegans can enjoy hot bread & butter! Bread is usually vegan. Or over baked potatoes.
TJ's is really stepping up the vegan game.
Not a bad product, but I prefer the taste of Miyoko's. As the article said, the TJ's spread is more similar to margarine in taste than butter. I get great pie crusts using Miyoko's. I haven't tried it yet for baking, but I am curious how well the TJ's spread works. For measuring either: one block is roughly 1 cup. So, I suggest unwrapping a new block and scoring the top surface with a butter (ahem, non-dairy spread) knife: one line down the middle lengthwise divides it into 2 half cups, midway widthwise divides it into 1/4 cups, etc. (halve those two more times and you get tablespoons). Then put the unused portion into a butter dish and store in the fridge.
Thanks for sharing!
I baked with this product for Christmas and thought it had an aftertaste or distinctive slightly artificial taste that I did not like. Miyokos doesn't have that. So - I prefer Miyokos for baking anyways. That said everyone still ate everything and said they loved it so maybe it was just my palate
Thanks for sharing this Deb!
I’m a regular Trader Joe’s shopper but the new “vegan butter” product is far inferior to Miyokos in terms of the ingredients. Trader Joe’s brand is made with highly processed inflammatory oils- canola and sunflower, and Miyokos is made from coconut oil and cashews…way better for you. Miyokos does have a small amount of sunflower oil but at least it’s organic. The TJs price point for Miyokos was so good…$4.99. However I am willing to pay $6.99 for it (and drive around to find it) to avoid inflammatory ingredients. Garbage in, garbage out. Jmho
Thanks for sharing Melly!