Peanut butter doesn’t need much to be great. In fact, some of the most-loved jars on grocery store shelves are the ones that keep things radically simple: just peanuts and salt. This bare-bones approach skips added sugars, palm oil, and stabilizers, leaving you with the natural richness of roasted peanuts — exactly how peanut butter was meant to be. You’ll usually have to stir them, but fans swear the taste is worth it. Plus, why should you pay for anything more?
We rounded up 10 peanut butter brands that list only peanuts and salt as ingredients, along with what makes each one stand out — and why so many loyal fans refuse to buy anything else.
Smucker’s Natural Peanut Butter (Creamy or Chunky)
Smucker’s Natural is a classic “two-ingredient” jar — peanuts and salt — with that deep, roasted, old-school peanut flavor that works in everything from toast to sauces. It’s the kind of peanut butter where you expect a little oil separation, then you stir and you’re rewarded with pure peanut-y goodness.
Smucker’s fans don’t exactly play it cool: “Smucker’s natural creamy peanut butter is by far the best peanut butter there is and the price is fantastic. Smuckers does not have junk in it. It’s pure and natural and great and it’s so delicious and healthy,” one shopper wrote.
Trader Joe’s Creamy Salted Peanut Butter
Trader Joe’s creamy salted peanut butter is beloved because it’s exactly what “natural peanut butter” should mean: two ingredients (peanuts and salt) and a price that undercuts a lot of the “fancy” natural brands.
Delish’s food editor Taylor Ann Spencer sums up the appeal: “It’s natural, so it only has two ingredients but it’s way cheaper than a lot of name-brand all-natural nut butters.”
Kirkland Signature Organic Creamy Peanut Butter
Costco’s Kirkland organic peanut butter has real cult-favorite energy, and the ingredient list is part of why: organic Valencia peanuts and sea salt. When it briefly disappeared, people panicked (seriously).
One fan posted: “Costco peanut butter is GONE! The best ever peanut butter is not only missing from the shelves, but is deleted from the system.” But don’t worry — it’s back in stock in (most) Costco warehouses.
Laura Scudder’s Natural Peanut Butter
Laura Scudder’s keeps it simple with roasted peanuts and salt, and the vibe is very “pantry staple that never lets you down.” People like it for that straightforward roasted flavor and the creamy-but-still-natural texture.
One enthusiastic fan review raved, “The creaminess is what amazed me, it literally melts in you mouth.”
Teddie All Natural Peanut Butter (Salted Varieties)
Teddie is a longtime New England favorite that sticks to dry roasted peanuts and salt in its salted options. Fans love how intensely peanut-forward it tastes — no sweetness, no extra oils — just rich, roasted flavor.
One reviewer put it bluntly: “I can honestly say Teddie Peanut Butter is the best one.”
Trending on Cheapism
Adams 100% Natural Peanut Butter
Adams is another old-school pick that keeps to fresh-roasted peanuts and a dash of salt. People like it because it tastes super “real” (and it’s widely available), with that hearty roasted flavor that stands out in sandwiches and smoothies.
The product description leans into how people actually eat it: “You’ll love it… even just straight out of the glass jar!”
Santa Cruz Organic Peanut Butter (Stirred varieties)
Santa Cruz’s stir versions are the ones to grab if you want the clean label, with an ingredient list that just includes organic roasted peanuts and salt. Fans like the bolder roast options (including dark roasted) because they bring a deeper, toastier peanut flavor that works especially well in dressings and sauces.
One reviewer said, “It’s creamy, but not super thick, and has a deeply peanutty flavor… exactly what you want from a truly natural peanut butter.”
365 by Whole Foods Crunchy Peanut Butter
This 365 crunchy jar is refreshingly direct on the label: DRY ROASTED PEANUTS, SALT. It’s popular with people who want a natural peanut butter that still feels like an everyday staple —crunchy, satisfying, and easy to use for PB&J or snack plates.
One reviewer said: “sweet, nutty, and almost salted flavor (despite having zero added sugar or salt).”
Sign up for our newsletter
Great Value Organic Creamy Stir Peanut Butter
If you want a budget-friendly option that still sticks to the basics, Great Value’s organic stir version lists organic dry roasted peanuts and sea salt. Fans like it because it checks the “clean ingredients” box without the boutique price tag, and it’s easy to use anywhere you’d use natural PB.
A Walmart review said: “I love this stuff. Great for cooking as well as a spread. Just make sure you clean the rim and seal the jar well.”
Pic’s Peanut Butter (Original)
Pic’s is famous for keeping it minimal: “just peanuts and a dash of salt,” with no emulsifiers so it can be naturally loose and glossy. Pic’s fans tend to love it because it behaves like real peanut butter, not a stabilized spread.
One fan wrote: “My favourite peanut butter – If you like peanuts, this peanut butter is heaven in a bottle. It has a robust roasted flavour and rich, velvety mouthfeel.”
More From Cheapism
- These Are the Only Peanut Butters Worth Buying — Discover which peanut butter jars truly stand out from the rest, with expert taste tests revealing the best spreads for every pantry and sandwich.
- GLP-1 Users Spend Less Money on Fast Food and Groceries, According to Studies — People taking appetite-suppressing GLP-1 meds aren’t just changing their diets — they’re cutting thousands off their food spending by buying fewer snacks, fast meals, and groceries overall.
- 21 Pizzas for $27: Sam’s Club Has the Ultimate Pizza Party Hack — Sam’s Club shoppers have uncovered a viral hack to score over 20 pre-rolled pizzas for under $30, making affordable pizza nights easier than ever.
