How Many Tablespoons in a Stick of Butter? (Conversions + Pro Tips)

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Kitchen query? Here’s how many tablespoons are in a stick of butter, plus bonus tips and tricks! While butter adds unbeatable flavor and a rich, tempting aroma to your favorite recipes, remember to enjoy it in moderation as part of a balanced eating pattern.

How Many Tablespoons Is A Stick Of Butter?
How Many Tablespoons Is A Stick Of Butter

Understanding US Butter Sticks

Butter in the US is most commonly sold in 1-pound packs containing four sticks. Each stick is ¼ pound, or 4 oz.

The sticks are individually wrapped and labeled with tablespoon measurements.

How Many Tablespoons is a Stick of Butter?

How Many Tablespoons in a Stick of Butter? (Conversions + Pro Tips) 1
How Butter Is Sold In The US Vs Elsewhere

One stick of butter equals 8 tablespoons.

Butter Conversions: Sticks, Cups, and More

  • 1 stick of butter = 8 tablespoons (½ cup)
  • 2 sticks of butter = 1 cup
  • 1 stick of butter = ¼ pound = 4 ounces = 113 grams
  • 1 pound of butter = 4 sticks = 2 cups
Butter in SticksButter in Tablespoons (TBSP)Butter in Teaspoons (TSP)
4 sticks32 tablespoons96 teaspoons
2 ½ sticks20 tablespoons60 teaspoons
2 sticks16 tablespoons48 teaspoons
1½ sticks12 tablespoons36 teaspoons
1¼ stick10 tablespoons30 teaspoons
1 stick8 tablespoons24 teaspoons
⅔ sticks5 ⅓ tablespoons16 teaspoons
½ stick4 tablespoons12 teaspoons
¼ stick2 tablespoons6 teaspoons
⅛ stick1 tablespoon3 teaspoons

The Best Way to Soften Butter: Tested!

How Many Tablespoons in a Stick of Butter? (Conversions + Pro Tips) 2
How Many Tablespoons Is A Stick Of Butter

Need softened butter but forgot to take it out of the fridge? We tested four popular methods to find the best one:

  1. Microwave: Cut butter into tbsp-size pieces. Microwave on 10% power in 5-second bursts until softened (about 20-30 sec total).
  2. Countertop: Cut butter into tbsp-size pieces. Let sit at room temp for 30 min.
  3. Warm Glass: Put stick in a glass, fill with hot tap water. Let sit 5 min. Pour out water, cover butter with the warm glass, inverted. Wait 5-10 min.
  4. Beating: Cut cold butter into small chunks. Beat with a mixer until smooth, 2-3 min.

The microwave method was fastest, but risked melting. The countertop and glass techniques gave a nice, evenly softened texture. Beating worked but left the butter slightly greasy.

💁🏻‍♂️Our pick? The inverted glass – softens without melting and is faster than waiting on the counter. Here’s a visual of the process:

Try This: Easy 3-Ingredient Shortbread Cookies

Perfect for using exactly 1 stick of butter!

Mix 1 stick softened butter, ½ cup powdered sugar, and 1 cup flour until a dough forms. Press into an 8-inch square pan and prick all over with a fork.

Bake at 325°F for 30-35 minutes until lightly browned. Cool completely and cut into squares.

FAQs

How do I measure 3 tablespoons of butter?

Find the 4 tablespoon mark on the wrapper and cut off 1 tablespoon.

My recipe calls for 1/3 cup butter – how many sticks is that?

1/3 cup is 5 tablespoons plus 1 teaspoon, or 2/3 of a stick.

What’s a quick way to get 6 tablespoons of butter?

Cut a stick in half right on the wrapper’s middle line – each half is 4 tablespoons. Then just cut 2 more tablespoons from one half.

Conclusion

As a chef, I always recommend using real butter for optimal flavor, especially in baking. Renowned pastry chef Stella Parks agrees: “Butter’s low moisture content is crucial to creating tender, flaky layers in croissants and puff pastry. Substitutes simply can’t compare.”

I hope these butter basics help make your cooking and baking adventures a little easier and a lot more delicious! For more kitchen tips and tasty recipes, visit www.boatbasincafe.com.


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