The Ultimate Peanut Butter Stirring Tip

According to the National Peanut Board, 94% of Americans keep at least one jar of peanut butter in their pantry. It may sound surprising, but it makes sense—peanut butter is incredibly versatile. Whether it's used for a classic peanut butter and jelly sandwich, as the key flavor in peanut noodles, or even in peanut butter frosting, the possibilities are endless. Plus, it has a long shelf life.

Peanut butter preferences vary just as much as people's morning coffee choices. While some people can’t get enough of creamy, smooth peanut butter, others swear by the crunch. Some like it on the sweet side, while others prefer it salty. Texture, flavor, and sweetness all play a role for peanut butter enthusiasts. If you've been browsing the peanut butter section lately, you may have noticed a rise in natural peanut butter options.

Why Does Natural Peanut Butter Separate?

Natural peanut butter consists of just peanuts and salt, while conventional peanut butter includes sugar and hydrogenated vegetable oils to keep it smooth. These added stabilizers help conventional peanut butter resist temperature changes, allowing it to maintain the same texture for an extended period of time.

For those of us who prefer our peanut butter with only peanuts and salt, you’ve probably experienced the frustrating issue of peanut oil separation—when the oil rises to the top. Since natural peanut butter doesn’t contain hydrogenated oils, it naturally separates, requiring you to spend time and effort stirring it back into a smooth consistency before use.

The Secret to Smooth Peanut Butter

Luckily, there's an easy fix to keep your natural peanut butter smooth. Simply turn the jar upside down when you're not using it. By doing this, you’re slowly moving the oil from the top to the bottom and back each time you use it, creating a kind of 'shaking' effect without the need to actually shake the jar. This keeps the peanut butter perfectly smooth.

This trick doesn’t just work for peanut butter—it’s also great for tahini, Chinese sesame paste, and almond butter. So, go ahead and flip your peanut butter jar upside down!