Updated September 2022! This summer, Smart Balance Buttery Spreads underwent a recipe transition, and it’s a doozy. In most varieties, the water to oil ratio was increased, reducing the fat and calories by 25 to 40%. In essence, several of the “regular” buttery spreads became the “light” buttery spreads, and the formal light versions were discontinued. Flaxseed oil was substituted for the pea protein in most varieties, which is good news for some with legume allergies, but it is reportedly causing more oil/water separation in the product. Also, several varieties now specifically contain “vitamin D3” and do not state if it is vegan sourced. We have full information in this post, followed by current reviews.
Smart Balance Buttery Spreads Continue to Evolve as Dairy-Free Alternatives
Smart Balance Buttery Spreads confuse many dairy-free consumers, and for good reason. This brand has twisted and turned more times over the years than I can count. Early on, a company called GFA Brands produced Earth Balance and Smart Balance. Yes, they are made by the same company, and reportedly in the same facility. GFA was eventually bought by Boulder Brands, which has since been swallowed up by Conagra Foods.
The Earth Balance line of products has been dairy-free all along, but many of the Smart Balance products started out with dairy. They made a light version without dairy, and later added a specifically dairy-free Smart Balance Buttery Spread. Then one day, Smart Balance, as a brand, went completely dairy-free and plant-based. For a while, their packaging even said “dairy free butter” on the front. Some of their old customers weren’t happy about this, so they have since added a dairy “Butter Blend” line of products back into their mix.
So now, all of the Smart Balance Buttery Spreads are dairy-free, but they do have a dairy butter blend line of spreads. Whew! Fortunately, the two lines look quite different. The butter blends are small oval containers, while the buttery spreads are full-size, square-ish tubs. They did remove “dairy free butter” from the buttery spread packaging, but I’m guessing it was just to avoid potential dairy lawsuit issues about using the term “butter.” There wasn’t any other change to that product line, and they remained dairy free.
But this year, the transitions are continuing. All light versions of Smart Balance have been discontinued, and the aforementioned formula change is a massive one. It affects the consistency, nutrition, and customer base. The packaging still looks nearly identical. But if you look closely, the oil percentages have changed quite a bit. In fact, the Original, Omega3, and Olive Oil versions went from 64% vegetable oils to 39% vegetable oils. And of course, the ingredients and basic nutrition facts have changed to the ones detailed below.
Smart Balance Buttery Spreads Reveal Lighter Formulas in Regular Line
Here are current details on all of the non-organic dairy-free and vegan buttery spreads from this brand. We’re not sure yet if the organic variety has changed, as the company hasn’t updated any information anywhere online. For now, we have the organic information from prior. Please do leave your own unbiased rating and review below if you buy and try any of them, and be sure to mention which one(s) you use!
Original
Ingredients: vegetable oil blend (canola oil, palm oil, olive oil), water, contains less than 2% of salt, flaxseed oil, monoglycerides, natural and artificial flavors, sunflower lecithin, vitamin a palmitate, vitamin d3, beta-carotene (color), and potassium sorbate, lactic acid, calcium disodium edta (to preserve freshness).
Nutrition (per tablespoon): 60 calories, 7g fat, 0g carbs, 0g fiber, 0g sugars (includes 0g added sugars), 0g protein.*
Omega 3 (not vegan)
Ingredients: water, vegetable oil blend (canola oil, palm oil), water, contains less than 2% of, flaxseed oil, salt, fish oil, monoglycerides, olive oil, natural and artificial flavors, vitamin a palmitate, vitamin d3, beta-carotene (color), and potassium sorbate, lactic acid, tbhq, calcium disodium edta (to protect freshness). contains: fish.
Nutrition (per tablespoon): 50 calories, 6g fat, 0g carbs, 0g fiber, 0g sugars (includes 0g added sugars), 0g protein.*
Low Sodium Whipped
Ingredients: vegetable oil blend (canola oil, palm oil), water, less than 2% of salt, pea protein isolate, monoglycerides, sunflower lecithin, natural and artificial flavors, vitamin a palmitate, beta-carotene color, and potassium sorbate, lactic acid, calcium disodium edta (to preserve freshness).
Nutrition (per tablespoon): 60 calories, 7g fat, 0g carbs, 0g fiber, 0g sugars (includes 0g added sugars), 0g protein.*
with Extra Virgin Olive Oil
Ingredients: water, vegetable oil blend (canola oil, palm oil, extra virgin olive oil), less than 2 percent of: flaxseed oil, salt, monoglycerides, natural and artificial flavors, vitamin a palmitate, vitamin d3, beta carotene (color), and potassium sorbate, lactic acid, tbhq and calcium disodium edta (to protect freshness).
Nutrition (per tablespoon): 50 calories, 6g fat, 0g carbs, 0g fiber, 0g sugars (includes 0g added sugars), 0g protein.*
Organic (Not Sure if Ingredients / Nutrition Have Changed – Please Comment if You have New Packaging Information)
Ingredients: oil blend (palm fruit*, soybean*, canola* and olive* oils), water, salt, natural flavor*, crushed soybeans*, soy lecithin*, lactic acid (non-dairy), and naturally extracted annatto* (color). *organic. contains: soy.
Nutrition (per tablespoon): 80 calories, 9g fat, 0g carbs, 0g fiber, 0g sugars (includes 0g added sugars), 0g protein.*
Discontinued Smart Balance Buttery Spreads
All “Light” versions were discontinued – with Flaxseed Oil, with Extra Virgin Olive Oil, and with Omega 3. But, all of the regular versions were made significantly more light. In essence, the light versions replaced the regular versions.
More Facts on Smart Balance Buttery Spreads
- Price: $4.49 per 13- to 15-ounce tub
- Availability: Smart Balance Buttery Spreads are sold at mainstream grocers throughout the U.S., like Walmart, Kroger stores, Albertsons stores, and more. Look for them refrigerated in the butter section.
- Certifications: Smart Balance Buttery Spreads are Certified Kosher Pareve. The Organic variety is also Certified Organic.
- Dietary Notes: By ingredients, Smart Balance Buttery Spreads are dairy-free / non-dairy, egg-free, gluten-free, nut-free, peanut-free, and keto-friendly. All non-organic varieties are now soy-free. Select varieties are vegan and vegetarian, but some one contains fish oil and some now contain vitamin D3 which might be of animal origin. Check with the company to confirm, if concerned.*
- For More Product Information: Visit the Smart Balance website at www.smartbalance.com.
*Always read the ingredient and nutrition statement prior to consumption. Ingredients, processes, and labeling are subject to change at any time for any company or product. Contact the company to discuss their manufacturing processes if potential allergen cross-contamination is an issue for you. No food product can be guaranteed “safe” for every individual’s needs. You should never rely on ingredient and allergen statements alone if dealing with a severe food allergy.
New recipe for smart balance original is terrible
I thought I had a bad container when the butter was soft and would not melt on a hot bagel. I went ahead and bought another container to find the same problem. New recipe does not taste good and does not perform well. After years using smart balance original, we will have to find a new brand of dairy-free butter.
More water - same price
Smart Balance original. I noticed the much softer consistency immediately but saw nothing on the packaging explaining this. Did a search and found out that it has been MAJORLY reformulated. The spin will be that it makes it more healthy, the reality is that it makes Conagra more money. I will no longer be buying this product.
Bring back the old recipe
I’ve been using Smart Balance original buttery spread for years and have always loved it. Now, I’d rather melt down the plastic container and attempt to eat that. This new recipe is God awful!
Updated formula is terrible
Been using Smart balance “butter” for years and love it. However, the last “original” recipe tub I bought was soft when I got it home and never got back to the original consistency I am used to. I thought possibly it got soft on the trip home or worse, something bad happened at the store/transit with refrigeration. The stuff doesn’t taste as good, won’t melt on toast without a stern talking to, and is useless in the frying pan. I thought I was crazy and considered returning it to the store. Now I’ll just have to find something else to buy until they fix this…
Water at Expensive Margarine Price
The new regular Smart Balance formula very suddenly went from Oil Blend as it’s main ingredient to Water as it’s main ingredient, and the difference is dramatic and disturbing on theee levels
First, this new formula is so watery that it cannot really be used for baking or frying any longer. It even turns warm toast to a soggy mess, and only seems to work as a spread if put on something at room temperature or lower, and eaten cold.
Second, the taste and consistency is now no better than the cheapest national brand tub margarines, such as Country Crock. In fact, Country Crock went from a cheap substitute for Smart Balance to an ever-so-slightly superior product. Country Crock even has a slightly higher oil content of 4O% versus Smart Valance’s 39% oil!
Finally, to add injury to insult, I had to pay over EIGHT DOLLARS for a 45 ounce tub of this new regular Smart Balance margarine at Walmart this past week. Even factoring in inflation, this is a massive price increase for a more cheaply-made, nutritionally-deficient product. Like other water-infused products such as ham and cheeses Smart Balance should now be labeled as a “Water and Margarine Product.”
I have been buying Smart Balance exclusively as my go-to margarine for over a dozen years. However, unless the original “original” formula is brought back at a more reasonable price, I will no longer be buying Smart Balance at all.
Horrible
Whatever they did, they have made it inedible. I loved this product. Now it is a tasteless airy mass. I am so sad about this because it was one of the few foods I could eat. I can’t believe this company could be so incompetent. I would give no stars if I could. I can’t even recommend a product to change to. I am still looking for a replacement.
Wow this stuff is awful
We bought this brand, in original flavor for many years. This article explains it all. What a complete ingredient change failure. Weird color, texture, tasteless. I got ripped off by spending $8.63 on the large size!!
Tasteless glop
I didn’t realize Smart Balance had changed until I bought this most recent tub. I though I’d gotten a spoiled tub! Watery, tasteless, doesn’t melt on toast. This is the “New Coke” of magarine, and I won’t buy it again after using SB loyally for decades.
i will find better butter
Tasting like sh… cant cook with it i been using this butter for years i am done.
Updated Original Smart Balance not good
We’re long time users of Smart Balance. So disappointed in the so called new formula. Consistency is not firm as before and personally I don’t care for the taste difference at all. Please bring back the original formula or we’re going to have to try another product.