Eliza Savage, MS, RD, CDN is a New York City-based registered dietitian with a lifelong passion for wellness who has written for Women’s Health, Well+Good, and more.
Elaine Hinzey is a fact checker, writer, researcher, and registered dietitian.
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If you’re a peanut butter lover, you may want to consider choosing a natural product. The term “natural” generally means that the peanut butter is free of any artificial or synthetic ingredients, and nothing has been added; however, the FDA does not have a formal definition for this term. According to the American Society for Nutrition, natural peanut butter can contain natural flavors, sweeteners, or other plant-derived ingredients, including potentially harmful high fructose corn syrup.
Choosing a natural peanut butter that is also non-GMO and organic ensures that you’re getting the highest quality nut butter, as these terms are regulated by law. Whether you prefer crunchy or smooth, unsweetened or flavored, a jar, or a single-serve packet, there's a natural peanut butter for you.
Here, the best natural peanut butters.
The best natural peanut butter is made with quality organic ingredients, and without added salt or sugar—MaraNatha's USDA Organic peanut butter checks all the boxes. It contains only two ingredients: dry roasted peanuts and organic palm oil. The convenient no-stir creamy peanut butter is all-natural and is delicious spooned straight out of the jar or spread onto toasty whole-grain bread.
MaraNatha, one of America's largest producers of natural and organic nut butters, uses only the purest ingredients with no hydrogenated oils or preservatives to create wholesome products. The company is also environmentally-friendly: they source nuts only from environmentally sensitive growers and use recyclable glass jars. If you're passionate about peanut butter, MaraNatha ensures that each jar contains superior taste and ultimate freshness.
If you’re looking for a great, well-rounded natural peanut butter, try the Santa Cruz Organic Light Roasted Creamy Peanut Butter. This organic peanut butter has a smooth, fresh flavor and offers a unique, pure peanut taste. Each 16-ounce container is well worth the price for the appealing texture and robust taste Santa Cruz products are known for.
Made from USDA Organic Spanish peanuts and a bit of salt, the Non-GMO Project Verified product is a top pick in terms of quality, taste, and price. The product is free of hydrogenated oils, added sugar, and artificial ingredients. If you prefer a more vibrant, deeper, and smokier flavor, Santa Cruz also makes a creamy dark roast. If you're a fan of crunchy peanut butter, Santa Cruz has you covered with dark and light roasts.
One complaint we often hear about natural peanut butter is the need to stir it each time you enjoy it because of the oil separation. The solution is easy: Justin’s Classic Peanut Butter. This natural peanut butter uses palm oil to give the product a creamy, no-stir texture, without any oil separation. It's delicious and thick, but spreads easily onto whole-grain toast, blends into smoothies, and mixes well into oatmeal or your favorite baking recipe.
It's Certified Gluten-Free, Non-GMO Project Verified, kosher, and uses sustainably-sourced palm oil. If you're looking for sweeter peanut butter, Justin's also makes Honey Peanut Butter, which combines honey, organic cane sugar, peanut oil, palm oil, and a touch of sea salt with dry roasted peanuts to create a sweet and salty spread.
If you’re a crunchy peanut butter fan, you’ll love Crazy Richard's natural crunchy peanut butter. This all-natural peanut butter is made with 100 percent peanuts—unlike other popular brands containing only 90 percent peanuts—and has that crunchy texture you love.
Crazy Richard's states that the ingredient list is easy to decipher: there are 540 peanuts blended into one jar with no salt, added sugar, or palm oil. Plus, the brand uses non-GMO, 100 percent US-grown peanuts. Without stabilizers or preservatives, the peanut butter is runny, so you will need to stir it before enjoying it.
A fun hack: store the jar upside down until the oils work their way to the jar's bottom. Give it a shake to mix, then enjoy. It can be stored at room temperature or in the refrigerator if you prefer a thicker texture.
If you're looking to add a peanut flavor and boost of protein to a smoothie or oatmeal, powdered peanut butter such as PB2 is an excellent option. Peanut butter powder is a great alternative that adds the protein of peanuts, along with the flavor, but contains fewer calories and fat. Simply mix two tablespoons of the non-GMO powder with one tablespoon of water to create a spread, or blend it into smoothies or baked goods to satisfy your peanut butter cravings.
Made with roasted peanuts, sugar, and salt, PB2 contains 90 percent less fat and approximately 70 percent fewer calories than traditional peanut butter. Freshly roasted peanuts are pressed to remove most of the oil, then a small amount of salt and sugar are added for flavor. The result is a low carb, keto-friendly product that is certified gluten-free.
Nut butters can be expensive, but instead of buying a less expensive, potentially sugar-filled peanut butter spread, look to your favorite brand for a higher quality, natural or organic product. Known for their dependable, family-favorite products, Smucker's Organic Natural Peanut Butter tastes great but is also budget-friendly. The vegan, gluten-free product is creamy and smooth right from the jar, with no mixing needed.
Unlike typical low-priced peanut butter spreads filled with questionable ingredients such as hydrogenated oils, sugar, and salt, Smucker's Organic Creamy Peanut Butter is made using only organic roasted peanuts and a bit of salt. The product is also kosher, USDA Organic, and Non-GMO Certified by NSF.
If you love the taste of peanut butter but want to boost flavor and nutrition, consider trying a multi-nut and seed butter such as NuttZo's Peanut Pro Crunchy. It's not your average nut butter. The tasty blend of seven nuts and seeds—including peanuts, cashews, almonds, Brazil nuts, flax seeds, sunflower seeds, and hazelnuts—is high in protein and low in sugar. The satisfying USDA Organic nut butter packs a protein punch and is delicious by the spoonful, drizzled over pancakes, or spread on fruits and veggies.
The nut and seed blend is made from non-GMO ingredients and contains no added sugar. Plus, it's gluten-free, vegan, and kosher.
It can be hard to enjoy peanut butter when you're on the go. Jars are hard to pack and are typically messy; however, single-serve packets are an easy way to enjoy your favorite peanut butter anytime and anywhere. Justin's single-serve squeeze packs offer the brand's nutritious Classic Peanut Butter in a convenient, portable package. Simply rip the side slit and squeeze the nut butter onto your favorite fruit or cracker, or directly into your mouth.
Each 1.15-ounce packet holds Justin's delicious gluten-free, vegan, and non-GMO Project Verified nut butter. If you're a fan of a sweeter nut butter, Justin's also makes squeeze packs with six other flavors including Honey Peanut Butter and Maple Almond Butter.
When choosing a natural peanut butter, it's always important to look at the sugar and salt levels on the nutrition facts label. Many brands add these ingredients to peanut butter to add flavor and extend shelf life; however, for people who watch their sugar and salt intake, an unsweetened, salt-free peanut butter is the best choice.
Once Again's Unsweetened Salt-Free Creamy Peanut Butter is incredibly simple. The delicious spread contains only organic peanuts. The top-quality nut butter is USDA Organic, Non-GMO Project Verified, Gluten-Free Certified, Vegan, and kosher. Because there are no preservatives—such as salt—each jar has a shelf life of three months once opened.
If you're looking for a top-quality, organic jar of 100 percent peanut butter, MaraNatha's Organic No Sugar or Salt Added Creamy Peanut Butter is best overall. For a more portable and affordable option, Justin's Classic Peanut Butter Squeeze Packs are easy and convenient.
Ingredients: When purchasing a natural peanut butter, take a look at the ingredients on the label. The fewer the ingredients, the better. When possible, opt for a product that contains only peanuts. If you prefer a no-stir nut butter with a longer shelf life, salt and sustainably sourced palm oil are acceptable ingredients.
Peanut Butter Spread vs. Nut Butter: Some peanut butters are referred to as "peanut butter spreads" as opposed to 100 percent nut butter. The term "peanut butter" is controlled by the FDA, and signifies that peanuts are the main ingredient, whereas "peanut butter spreads" generally contain less than 90 percent peanuts.
Certifications: To ensure you're selecting the highest quality peanut butter, choose a USDA Organic and Non-GMO Project Verified product when possible.
Packaging: When choosing a natural peanut butter, consider how often, when, and how you use peanut butter. If you frequently consume peanut butter at home, you may want to buy a large container or purchase jars in bulk. If you travel a lot or want to eat your peanut butter on the run, a squeeze pack may be best for you.
"Peanut butter is such a versatile and nutritious staple - it's filled with healthy fats, protein, vitamins, and minerals. I love having it with oatmeal, Greek yogurt, or in a smoothie. And, of course, you can never go wrong with a classic peanut butter & jelly sandwich."—Sammi Brondo, MS, RD, CDN
A personal note on my recommendations written above. As a dietitian, I'm a huge fan of peanut butter. There are lots of great options on the market, such as the products above, but its important to consider quality when choosing a peanut butter. In writing this article, I looked at multiple products and brands and consulted with trusted peers in dietetics. I believe the products in the round-up are made by trusted brands and are composed of high-quality ingredients. I would recommend the above products to friends, family, and clients, and have personally tried all of the products. You can currently find Justin's and Once Again Peanut Butter in my pantry. —Eliza Savage, MS, RD, CDN
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Food and Drug Administration. Use of the term natural on food labeling. Updated October 22, 2018.
American Society for Nutrition. Interpreting food labels: Natural versus organic. Updated February 2, 2013.
Food and Drug Administration. Food Standard Innovations: Peanut Butter's Sticky Standard. Updated January 31, 2008.