What Makes Irish Butter Special?

Butter makes everything better, but is there one variety that truly stands out? We're here to answer that question.

With so many butter choices on the market, picking the right one can feel daunting—but there's one clear winner in the dairy section: Irish butter.

Irish butter, also known as European-style butter, might just be the best-kept secret of your local grocery store. If you're looking for butter that's rich, indulgent, and wonderfully spreadable, this is the one that belongs in your fridge.

Here’s all you need to know about this beloved butter that’s quickly making its way into kitchens across America.

What Makes Irish Butter Unique?

The minimum butterfat content required for butter differs between Europe and America. In Europe, the standard is 82%, while in America, it’s 80%. Any butter with less than that isn’t considered butter. Irish butter is a cultured variety with at least 82% butterfat. The higher the butterfat, the creamier and richer the butter becomes.

How Does European Butter Compare to American Butter?

Simply put, European or Irish butter contains more butterfat than American butter, which means it has a much richer and more flavorful taste.

Butter starts as cream. As it’s churned, it turns into whipped cream, and with further churning, milk curds form (which is why over-whipping whipped cream can create curds). These curds become butterfat, which is the essence of butter. The longer the cream churns, the more butterfat is produced, resulting in better, richer butter.

The 2% difference in butterfat between American and Irish butter may seem minor, but it significantly affects both flavor and texture. Since the remaining portion of the butter is mostly water, it dilutes the richness and smoothness of the butter.

While both butters can be used in similar ways, Irish butter has a higher fat content and less water than American butter, which gives it a richer flavor and makes it an ideal choice for baking.

Is Irish Butter More Expensive Than American Butter?

There are several excellent brands of European-style butter available in the U.S., but the most well-known is Ireland’s Kerrygold Grass-Fed Irish Butter.

Kerrygold has been the second-largest butter brand in the U.S. for years, only behind Land O'Lakes, which has been around for 40 years longer. Other great European-style butter brands to try include Échiré and Plugrá.

While your favorite American butter might often go on sale, Irish butter is surprisingly affordable. Most European-style butters are only about a dollar more than standard American butter.

When Should You Choose Irish Butter?

Irish butter is a great choice for baking, as it creates flakier pastries that rise beautifully. It also adds a rich, nutty caramel flavor when used to make browned butter.

Of course, Irish butter is perfect for everyday use as well. Its smooth, creamy texture elevates simple dishes like toast or sautéed vegetables.