The Good Stuff Simple Swaps – Every Wednesday I share a new Good Stuff Simple Swap, one simple change that helps clean up your everyday eats without overhauling your whole pantry. You can find all the swaps here!
Peanut butter is one of those things I could eat straight out of the jar with a spoon. Actually, let’s be real-I regularly do. It is the ultimate comfort food, but unfortunately, not all jars are created equal.
If you look at the back of most “regular” peanut butter brands, you’ll find a list that’s a lot longer than it needs to be. We’re talking added sugars, hydrogenated oils, and stabilizers just to keep it from separating. Peanut butter doesn’t need a chemistry set to taste good!
The Simple Swap: Go Organic and Natural
The fix is easy: grab an organic, natural peanut butter instead.
I know the word “organic” gets tossed around a lot these days, and it doesn’t always feel like it means much. But here’s the scoop: peanuts are one of the most heavily treated crops when it comes to things like glyphosate. Because of that, this is one of the few spots in my pantry where I really try to stick with organic whenever I can. It’s an easy way to keep those extra residues out of your PB&J.
What to Look for on the Label
We are looking for a very short guest list on the back of the jar:
- Peanuts
- Salt
- Maybe a touch of honey (if you like a little sweetness)
That’s it! If you see “palm oil” or “sugar” in the top three ingredients, put it back and keep hunting.
My “Good Stuff” Go-To Brands
You don’t have to spend a fortune to get the clean stuff. These are the ones I usually have in my pantry:
- Kirkland Organic Peanut Butter: The gold standard if you have a Costco card.
- Smuckers Organic: Super easy to find at almost any grocery store.
- MaraNatha Organic: Just 2 ingredients!
- Most store-brand organics: Usually, if the label says “Organic,” the ingredients are exactly what we want.
Peanut Butter FAQs
Why is there a layer of oil on top of my natural peanut butter?
That oil is actually a good sign! It means there are no hydrogenated oils or stabilizers holding everything together. It’s just the natural peanut oil separating from the solids. Give it a good stir when you first open it, and you’re good to go.
Do I really have to refrigerate natural peanut butter?
Most jars say “refrigerate after opening,” and it does help keep the natural oils from going rancid over time. Plus, it thickens the peanut butter up so it doesn’t run off your toast! If you go through a jar in a week, you’re probably fine on the counter, but the fridge is the safest bet.
What is the “upside-down” trick?
Before you open a new jar, store it upside down in your pantry for a day or two. The oil will travel through the peanut butter to the “bottom,” making it much easier to stir once you flip it over and open it.
Is palm oil okay if it’s organic?
Even organic palm oil is often added just to make peanut butter “no-stir.” While it’s not a “chemical” additive, we prefer to skip it because it’s an unnecessary processed oil and the harvesting of palm oil has a big environmental impact. Stick to just peanuts and salt!
Make it Yourself (In 5 Minutes!)
If you want to be the ultimate kitchen rockstar, you can totally make it yourself. I have a super easy recipe for homemade peanut butter that takes about five minutes in the food processor. It’s warm, drippy, and smells incredible.
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