Peanut butter. It’s classic. It’s addictive, and no two supermarket peanut butters taste alike. Fans of peanut butter typically have a favorite — and insist that anything else tastes a little “off.”
Understood.
But for those who have yet to land on a favorite, we are here for you! We grabbed 15 brands of peanut butter — mostly crunchy — and tasted. They ranged from thick pastes to thin purees, salted and unsalted, sweetened and plain. Every peanut butter made a statement — of some sort.
In many ways, peanut butter is a perfect food. It’s an amazingly versatile plant-based protein that works as breakfast, lunch, a snack or even dessert, though it is high in fat and calories. Smear it on toast or in a PBJ, add it to oatmeal or a smoothie, serve as a dip for apples, celery or bananas, or turn it into cookies, cakes, salad dressing or even ice cream.
The best jarred peanut butters are silky smooth purees of fresh, perfectly roasted peanuts seasoned with a bit of salt and perhaps a touch of sugar. The worst are murky spreads that are stirred up with too much sugar, too much salt — or oddball fats that literally overpower the flavor of peanuts.
Here are details on the luscious peanut butters that are destined to become your new favorites, and the regrettable, offensive pastes that should remain in the jar. Nutrition info refers to 2 tablespoons.
Santa Cruz Organic Dark Roasted Peanut Butter
Thick, spreadable consistency and a wallop of fresh-roasted peanut flavor make this peanut butter a big win. It has a pinch of salt and no added sugar. 190 calories, 16 g fat, 50 mg sodium, 1 g sugar, 8 g protein. $6.79 for 16 ounces at Whole Foods. (4 stars)
Once Again No Stir Crunchy Peanut Butter
The sweet taste of ultra-fresh peanuts toasted to perfection shines in this smooth puree pocked with a generous handful of crunchy nuts. It has a good balance of salt and sugar, and a touch of palm oil that keeps it emulsified. 190 calories, 15 g fat, 65 mg sodium, 3 g sugar, 7 g protein. $8.99 for 16 ounces at Sprouts. (4 stars)
Naturally More Organic Peanut Butter
This is a velvety pour of roasted peanuts. It has a great balance of sweet and salt, but it’s literally a pour instead of a smear. Buy this for the flavor, but don’t even try to use it on bread. 180 calories, 15 g fat, 65 mg sodium, 1 g sugar, 8 g protein. $8.99 for 2 28-ounce jars at Costco. (3 1/2 stars)
Adams 100 Percent Natural Peanut Butter
The crunch of expertly roasted peanuts in this rustic puree is a big plus, and it’s thick enough to stay on toast. This is a great choice for purists, as it’s made with just peanuts and salt. 190 calories, 16 g fat, 95 mg sodium, 2 g sugar, 8 g protein. $4.99 for 16 ounces at Safeway. (3 1/2 stars)
MaraNatha Peanut Butter
This toasty butter is classic. It has a touch of salt, a pinch of sugar and bold peanut flavor. It’s just a bit runny — guaranteed to drip when slathered on a slice of toast. 200 calories, 17 g fat, 65 mg sodium, 1 g sugar, 8 g protein. $7.99 for 16 ounces at Sprouts. (3 stars)
O Organics Old Fashioned Crunchy Peanut Butter
Made with dry roasted peanuts, this is impressively thick and balanced. Less salt would be an improvement. 190 calories, 16 g fat, 105 mg sodium, 2 g sugar, 8 g protein. $5.99 for 18 ounces at Safeway. (3 stars)
365 Whole Foods Crunchy Peanut Butter
The balance of salt and sugar in this mix is pleasant, making it a fine go-to for everything from toast to sauces, but the peanuts are carelessly chopped, resulting in a slightly gritty butter. 190 calories, 16 g fat, 100 sodium, 2 g sugar, 8 g protein. $2.69 for 16 ounces. (2 1/2 stars)
Laura Scudder’s All Natural Old Fashioned Peanut Butter
Exactly how a puree of peanuts and salt can be lacking in peanut flavor is a mystery. But this brand is surprisingly bland. 190 calories, 16 g fat, 95 mg sodium, 2 g sugar, 8 g protein. $4.99 for 16 ounces at Safeway. (2 stars)
Skippy Crunchy Peanut Butter
Yes, this is far too sweet and the peanut flavor is masked by added fat, but it’s a fair choice for those who hate stirring peanut butter. The lack of peanut flavor and added sugar might not work well in baked goods. 190 calories, 16 g fat, 125 mg sodium, 3 g sugar, 7 g protein. $2.79 for 16.3 ounces at Walmart. (2 stars)
Justin’s Classic Peanut Butter Spread
Peanut haters may appreciate this, as it is sorely lacking in peanut flavor. The flavor is far too flat to enhance any food. 210 calories, 18 g fat, 25 mg sodium, 2 g sugar, 7 g protein. $4.99 for 16 ounces at Whole Foods. (1 star)
Sprouts Crunchy Unsweetened Peanut Butter
The label says this is made with roasted peanuts, but it doesn’t taste like it. This tastes raw and undeveloped. 200 calories, 17 g fat, 104 mg sodium, 1 g sugar, 7 g protein. $2.69 for 16 ounces. (1 star)
Jif Extra Crunchy Peanut Butter
Choosy moms sometimes get confused. Far too much sugar and salt kill the peanut butter flavor in this mix. 190 calories, 16 g fat, 110 mg sodium, 3 g sugar, 7 g protein. $3.99 for 16 ounces at Safeway. (1/2 star)
Trader Joe’s Crunchy Salted Peanut Butter
Those who salt everything they eat may enjoy this medium-thick, highly salted paste, but the peanuts taste old, which is unforgivable. Since the jar says “best by 1/19/23,” this is a serious quality control gaffe. 190 calories, 16 g fat, 140 mg sodium, 2 g sugar, 8 g protein. $1.99 for 16 ounces. (1/2 star)
Natural Way Peanut Butter
This barely pureed, gritty mix of over-roasted, bitter peanuts should be on the “Do Not Buy” list. 180 calories, 16 g fat, 60 mg sodium, 2 g sugar, 8 g protein. $3.99 for 16 ounces at Sprouts. (no stars)
Peanut Butter & Co Crunch Time
Yuck is all that needs to be said about this oily paste that tastes more like rancid oil than peanuts. 180 calories, 15 g fat, 100 mg sodium, 4 g sugar, 7 g protein. $4.99 for 16 ounces at Sprouts. (no stars)
Reviews are based on product samples purchased by this newspaper or provided by manufacturers. Contact Jolene Thym at timespickyeater@gmail.com. Read more Taste-off columns at www.mercurynews.com/tag/taste-off.