Butter Goes Global: 7 Countries That Use the Most Butter

Butter—whether spread on toast, melted over vegetables, or swirled into sauces—is a beloved ingredient in kitchens around the world. While butter may seem like a universal kitchen staple, some countries consume it more than others, making it a true global phenomenon.

Today, we’re exploring seven countries where butter reigns supreme, taking a closer look at how it’s used and why it's such a key part of their culinary traditions.

1. Denmark – A Love Affair with Butter

Denmark is one of the world’s top butter consumers, with Danes incorporating butter into almost every meal. The country’s butter consumption is a staple in their famous pastries, like Danish croissants, and is a key component in their smørrebrød, an open-faced sandwich.

With the high quality of dairy products available in Denmark, butter is often enjoyed fresh, creamy, and indulgent.

2. France – The Country of Butter Mastery

French cuisine is synonymous with butter—whether in a buttery croissant for breakfast or a rich beurre blanc sauce to accompany fish. The French are some of the world’s highest butter consumers, and they take great pride in the quality of their butter.

From the silky, golden butter of Normandy to the indulgent beurre noisette (brown butter), France shows the world that butter isn’t just an ingredient—it’s an art form.

3. Ireland – Where Butter is Rich and Creamy

Known for its lush green pastures, Ireland produces some of the finest butter in the world. Irish butter is famous for its rich, creamy texture, and it’s a key part of the diet in Irish homes.

You’ll find butter in everything from Irish soda bread to a dollop on freshly boiled potatoes. The popularity of Kerrygold, one of Ireland's most iconic butter brands, shows just how seriously the Irish take their butter.

4. Germany – A Buttery Tradition

Germany is another country where butter is a central element of the diet. Whether used in baking or as an accompaniment to bread, butter plays a prominent role.

Germans use butter in savory dishes such as Sauerbraten (pot roast) and also in a range of baked goods, including brötchen (bread rolls) and pastries. It’s also common to enjoy buttered bread for breakfast or as a snack.

5. Switzerland – Butter in Every Bite

Switzerland, with its alpine meadows and pristine dairy farms, is renowned for its dairy products, and butter is no exception. The Swiss enjoy butter in everything from Swiss fondue (where melted butter adds richness to the cheese mixture) to Zopf, a buttery Swiss bread.

Swiss butter is also integral to the making of Nusstorte, a sweet, nut-filled pastry from the Engadine region.

6. India – The Land of Ghee and Golden Butter

In India, butter—especially in the form of ghee—is deeply rooted in both culinary and cultural traditions. Ghee, a clarified butter, is used for cooking, frying, and even in traditional Ayurvedic remedies.

Whether it's spread over warm naan, drizzled onto dal, or mixed into rich curries, butter is a daily essential in Indian households.

7. United States – A Growing Butter Love

While the U.S. isn’t traditionally a butter-heavy country compared to some of its European counterparts, butter consumption has surged in recent years. Americans are rediscovering butter’s richness, particularly with the rise of gourmet and artisanal cooking.

Butter is a cornerstone in American baking, with pies, cookies, and cakes often featuring generous amounts. The increasing popularity of butter in healthy cooking trends, like using it in bulletproof coffee or as a keto-friendly fat, has also fueled this butter revival.

Butter: A Universal Love Affair

From France’s delicate pastries to India’s rich curries, butter is a beloved ingredient across cultures. No matter where you are in the world, having fresh, soft butter ready to use makes every meal better. And with a Butterie, you can keep your butter spreadable and mess-free—just like they do in the most butter-loving countries!

Want to enjoy butter the way these countries do? Keep it fresh, soft, and ready to spread with Butterie’s butter dish!