Margarine is an emulsion of vegetable fats and water, and is a great cruelty-free alternative to butter. Margarine also has the added benefit of being cholesterol-free!
For decades, margarine was considered a far healthier choice than butter, since it’s much lower in artery-clogging saturated fats. But between 2000 and 2010 however, it gradually became clear that the trans fats found in most commercial brands of margarine are actually even more health damaging than saturated fat. All was not lost, however. Faced with a growing body of evidence damning trans fats, margarine makers began reformulating their products to minimize trans fat. And today, there are several brands of vegan margarine that nearly or totally trans-fat free.
Margarine comes in many forms: tubs, sticks, and whipped. It can be made from a base of any vegetable oil (usually palm, coconut, soy, canola, or olive oil.) All Earth Balance margarine and spread products are vegan.
If you want to get fancy and go super-premium, you can make a wonderful vegan butter at home. Here’s how.
