Supermarket Own-Brand Butter Crowned Best in the UK — Outperforming Lurpak
Good quality butter can make or break a sandwich or slice of toast, but convenience often wins out: we want the spreadable variety that requires no softening. Fortunately, premium flavor does not have to come with a premium price tag, as demonstrated by a recent comprehensive study.
The consumer watchdog Which? has crowned the United Kingdom's best spreadable butter, with three supermarket own-brand options decisively beating the well-known Danish brand Lurpak on both taste and overall value. In a revealing blind taste test, the consumer champion assembled a panel of 67 people to rigorously evaluate eight supermarket spreadables.
The Cream of the Crop: Top Performers Revealed
The brands tested included Aldi, Asda, Lidl, Morrisons, M&S, Ocado, Tesco, and Waitrose, alongside Lurpak. Aldi's Nordpak emerged as the clear winner, praised by tasters for its exceptional creaminess, appealing color, and well-rounded, satisfying flavor. At just £2.18 for a 500g tub, it was also among the most affordable options tested, earning Which? prestigious Best Buy and Great Value endorsements.
Securing second place was the M&S Lightly Salted Butter Blend, which also received a Best Buy label. This spread scored highly for flavor and texture and notably contained the highest proportion of actual butter among all the tested products. However, at £2.30 for 250g, its price per 100g was nearly double that of the Aldi winner.
Morrisons Salted Spreadable claimed third place, scoring higher than Lurpak, albeit by a narrower margin. Priced at £2.18 for 450g, it was rated highly for its texture by the tasting panel.
Lurpak's Position and the Full Ranking
Lurpak finished in fourth place, still impressing the panel with its appearance, flavor, and texture. However, it was the most expensive spread tested, with current pricing at £4.25 for 400g in Iceland or £5 at Waitrose. For dedicated fans, several supermarkets are running offers, such as Asda selling it for £3.75 for 400g or two packs for £5, and Tesco offering a pack for £3 with a Clubcard.
The remaining spreads from Ocado, Lidl, and Asda scored reasonably well, while those from Tesco and Waitrose proved less popular. Tesco Butterpak lost points for its aroma and flavor, and Waitrose Spreadable surprisingly received the lowest overall score, described by tasters as lacking in both flavor and creaminess.
Natalie Hitchins, Which? Head of Home Products and Services, commented: 'A spreadable butter that can be used straight from the fridge without making a mess of your bread can save time and stress. We've churned through offerings from the main supermarkets and found Aldi's Nordpak is not only the tastiest tub on test but also less than half the price of its branded counterpart.'
Testing Methodology and Detailed Verdict
The consumer champion tested spreadable butters made with a blend of butter and vegetable oil, including only salted varieties with a similar butter-to-oil content to Lurpak for a fair comparison. Spreads made with buttermilk were excluded as non-comparable. Here is the definitive ranking from Which?:
- Aldi Nordpak – 75%: One of the tastiest on test and the cheapest. £2.18 for 500g (44p per 100g). Awarded Best Buy and Great Value.
- M&S Lightly Salted Butter Blend – 74%: Impressed on flavor and texture but pricier. £2.30 for 250g (92p per 100g). Awarded Best Buy.
- Morrisons Salted Spreadable – 73%: Another strong supermarket own-label. £1.97 for 450g (44p per 100g).
- Lurpak – 72%: Scored well for flavor but was the most expensive. £4.75 for 400g (£1.19 per 100g at full price).
- Ocado Lightly Salted Spreadable – 70%: Reasonably liked overall. £2.30 for 500g (46p per 100g).
- Asda Spreadable Slightly Salted – 69%: Worth considering, though texture was less satisfying. £2.18 for 500g (44p per 100g).
- Lidl Danpak Spreadable Slightly Salted – 66%: Not bad, but others rated higher for aroma and flavor strength. £2.18 for 500g (44p per 100g).
- Tesco Butterpak Spreadable Slightly Salted – 64%: Good appearance, but disappointing aroma and flavor. £2.18 for 500g (44p per 100g).
- Waitrose Spreadable – 59%: The lowest scorer, lacking in flavor and creaminess. £2.75 for 500g (55p per 100g).
This study highlights that for everyday use, supermarket own-brands can deliver superior taste and significant savings, challenging the dominance of premium branded products in the dairy aisle.
