Butter, without salt
FDC 173430pat (1" sq, 1/3" high) (5 g)
Source: USDA FoodData Central · Public domain
Original analysis by NutriVerdict
Density 11 · -24 vs Dairy & eggs medianEven without added salt, butter scores 11 of 100 on the density scale, Low band, rank 56 of 60 among dairy and eggs, below a category median of 35, though vitamin A reaches a striking 76% DV, with vitamin E adding 15% DV.
It's the standard fat for baking, sauteing, and finishing dishes, used in small pat-sized amounts of about 5 g each. The tradeoff is saturated fat at 50.5 g per 100 g and cholesterol at 215 mg per 100 g, so it's a food measured in pats and tablespoons rather than cups. Among dairy and eggs, milk shakes, thick vanilla, is listed as a higher-scoring option, though it's a sweetened beverage with a very different role in the kitchen.
See how this score is calculated, build a plate around butter, without salt, or compare it with another food.
Source: USDA FoodData Central · Public domain
Percent of calories derived by NutriVerdict from USDA grams
Nutrition facts
| Nutrient | Amount | % DV |
|---|---|---|
| Calories | 717 kcal | 36% |
| Total fat | 81 g | 104% |
| Saturated fat | 51 g | 253% |
| Cholesterol | 215 mg | 72% |
| Sodium | 11 mg | 0% |
| Carbohydrate | 0.06 g | 0% |
| Dietary fiber | 0 g | 0% |
| Sugars | 0.06 g | |
| Protein | 0.85 g | 2% |
| Potassium | 24 mg | 1% |
| Calcium | 24 mg | 2% |
| Iron | 0.02 mg | 0% |
| Magnesium | 2 mg | 0% |
| Vitamin C | 0 mg | 0% |
| Vitamin A | 684 µg | 76% |
| Vitamin E | 2.3 mg | 15% |
| Nutrient | Amount | % DV |
|---|---|---|
| Calories | 36 kcal | 2% |
| Total fat | 4.1 g | 5% |
| Saturated fat | 2.5 g | 13% |
| Cholesterol | 11 mg | 4% |
| Sodium | 0.55 mg | 0% |
| Carbohydrate | 0 g | 0% |
| Dietary fiber | 0 g | 0% |
| Sugars | 0 g | |
| Protein | 0.04 g | 0% |
| Potassium | 1.2 mg | 0% |
| Calcium | 1.2 mg | 0% |
| Iron | 0 mg | 0% |
| Magnesium | 0.1 mg | 0% |
| Vitamin C | 0 mg | 0% |
| Vitamin A | 34 µg | 4% |
| Vitamin E | 0.12 mg | 1% |
Source: USDA FoodData Central · Public domain
FDC 173430Original analysis by NutriVerdict
What it is rich in
Nutrients supplying at least 10% of the Daily Value per 100 grams. 20% or more is an excellent source.
Original analysis by NutriVerdict
Versus the dairy & eggs median
Original analysis by NutriVerdict
More nutrient-dense swaps
Foods in the same category that score higher on nutrient density.
Dulce de LecheDensity 11 vs 11Milk shakes, thick chocolateDensity 12 vs 11Milk shakes, thick vanillaDensity 14 vs 11Original analysis by NutriVerdict
In the kitchen and how to use it
Unsalted butter is the baker's default, used when a recipe needs precise control over how much salt ends up in the final cake, cookie, or pastry. It is creamed with sugar for cakes, cut into flour for flaky pie crust and biscuits, layered into laminated dough for croissants, and melted into pan sauces like a beurre blanc where its clean dairy flavor matters more than any added salt would. It is just as often spread on bread or melted over cooked vegetables at the table.
Keep it refrigerated for everyday use, wrapped well since butter readily absorbs odors from the fridge, or freeze it for longer storage; let it soften at room temperature before creaming or spreading. Leaving out the salt keeps sodium low, 11 mg per 100 g, so cooks can season a dish separately and precisely. At 717 calories per 100 g, a single pat (5 g) comes to about 36 calories, and it is notably rich in vitamin A, 76% of the Daily Value per 100 g, along with 15% DV vitamin E, which is one reason it does more than just add fat to a recipe, since the same amount of oil would not carry either nutrient.
Frequently asked questions about butter, without salt
How many calories are in unsalted butter?
717 calories per 100 g; a single pat (5 g) comes to about 36 calories.
Is unsalted butter a good source of vitamin A?
Yes, it provides about 76% of the Daily Value for vitamin A per 100 g, along with 15% DV vitamin E.
Why do recipes call for unsalted butter specifically?
Using unsalted butter lets a cook control the total salt in a recipe precisely, since the sodium in salted butter varies by brand.