Shortening vs Butter

A side-by-side guide to substituting Butter for Shortening (or vice versa).

Quick answer

Butter works as a 1:1 swap for Shortening in most recipes.

Side-by-side

Shortening

Base unit: cup

Read the full guide: Shortening

Butter

Conversion: 1:1 substitution (use the same amount)

Tags: common

Notes: 1:1 swap. Adds more flavor but slightly less flakiness in pie crusts due to water content. Excellent in cookies for richness and browning.

Read the full guide: Butter

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When to use Butter instead of Shortening

1:1 swap. Adds more flavor but slightly less flakiness in pie crusts due to water content. Excellent in cookies for richness and browning. The conversion is 1:1 substitution (use the same amount).

Common questions

Can I substitute Butter for Shortening?

Yes — 1:1 swap. Adds more flavor but slightly less flakiness in pie crusts due to water content. Excellent in cookies for richness and browning. Ratio: 1:1 substitution (use the same amount).

What's the conversion ratio for Shortening to Butter?

1:1 substitution (use the same amount). For other quantities, use the SubSwap calculator.

Are Shortening and Butter interchangeable?

They are similar in most uses, but 1:1 swap..

Is Butter a better substitute than other options for Shortening?

Butter is one of the options SubSwap lists for Shortening. The 'best' choice depends on your recipe — see the full list of Shortening substitutes.

Looking for more Shortening substitutes beyond Butter?

See all Shortening swaps →