Walmart Just Released A Budget-Friendly Dupe Of This *Fancy* Food, So I Tried It (And I Didn't Expect Them To Be So Different)
If you can't escape the pistachio craze like me, you'll want to read this.
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Pistachio butter is having its moment in the culinary spotlight. It’s rich, nutty, and has been popping up everywhere lately, from gourmet grocery stores to TikTok. I’m a devout pistachio fan, but some of the jars I’ve seen online go for $15 or more, which feels a little wild for something I’m spreading on my morning toast.
So, I was curious when I spotted Bettergoods Pistachio Butter at Walmart for around $6. It’s part of their new private label line aimed at trendier, premium-style ingredients but with budget-friendly prices.
To see how it stacks up, I tried it side by side with a jar of Il Colle Del Gusto Pistachio Spread, which goes for close to $17.
I tasted both straight from the spoon and on a mini croissant from Trader Joe’s. While they’re both pistachio-forward, they turned out to be totally different in style, which surprised me more than I expected.
First up: Walmart Bettergoods Pistachio Butter
The texture instantly stood out. It’s fluffy and semi-whipped, almost like pistachio frosting. It spreads beautifully, holds its shape, and could easily go in a piping bag. (Think: soft holiday sugar cookies à la Lofthouse style.) It would also be delightful to spread on top of brownies, too.
Flavor-wise, it’s on the sweeter side (there are 16 grams of sugar per 34-gram serving), and there’s a faint aftertaste that feels a little artificial. The ingredients list confirms it includes artificial flavoring, which makes it seem less “pure” than the others.
It’s still tasty, it just doesn’t necessarily scream “pure pistachio.” But if you’re into dessert-y spreads and don’t mind the artificial add-ins, this one delivers as a playful, budget-friendly option.
Here are my final thoughts:
Texture: Light, whipped, spreadable
Flavor: Mild pistachio with added sweetness and a faint aftertaste
Ideal for: Cookies, toast, desserts, or straight from the spoon
Would I buy it again? Yes, for holiday baking or a fun pantry treat, if it weren’t for the artificial flavoring.
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Next up: Il Colle Del Gusto Pistachio Spread
Il Colle Del Gusto is on the other end of the texture spectrum. It has a visible layer of extra-virgin olive oil on top when you first open the jar, so a good stir is required. Once mixed, though, it becomes smooth and drizzly, much more like a traditional nut butter.
The flavor is richer and more pistachio-forward, a bit less sweet (this one has 38 grams of sugar per 100-gram serving, so less than Walmart's) and more roasty and earthy. It felt closer to what I’d expect if I ground up pistachios myself. It’s not a candidate for piping, and it might run off your toast if you’re not careful, but I could see it working really well in smoothies or drizzled over gelato.
One review said they used it as a cheesecake glaze, and another said they blend it into their espresso, both of which sound sublime.
Here are my final thoughts:
Texture: Drizzly, so stir well before using
Flavor: Nutty, roasty, and authentic
Ideal for: Smoothies, gelato, toast, or straight from the spoon
Would I buy it again? Yes, though with the price point, I might be more inclined to toss pistachios into the Vitamix and make it myself.
So, which pistachio butter is the winner?
Honestly, it depends on what you’re using it for. Want something spreadable for holiday baking or dessert-style snacking? Walmart’s Bettergoods version is the way to go. The whipped texture is playful, though I could do without the overly sweet flavor and subtle artificial aftertaste.
If you're after a pure, more pistachio-forward bite, I'd lean toward the Il Colle Del Gusto Pistachio Spread jar, even if it takes some extra stirring to get there.
That said, both versions contain a bit more added sugar than I'd prefer, and as a big pistachio fan, I'm still holding out for a jar that lets the natural flavor of the nut really shine. If you're not quite as nutty for pistachios as I am, you'll probably enjoy either one (and might even prefer the sweeter, more budget-friendly option).
At this point, the next logical step feels like making my own homemade batch for a comparison. Have you tried making your own? If you have any tips, send ‘em my way before I dive in!
P.S.: If you like this kind of taste test, I also compared Walmart’s Bettergoods Umami Seasoning to Trader Joe’s version (and here’s what I found).
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