How to Store Butter: 3 Easy Methods to Try

The shelf life of butter varies, depending on your storage method. Typically, butter will last in the refrigerator for up to two weeks but will keep at room temperature for up to two days if stored in an airtight container away from direct sunlight. In the freezer, butter will last for up to nine months.

Most butter that you buy from the grocery store will list the expiration date on the package. The best-by date refers to butter stored in the fridge. If you notice patches of discoloration or an unpleasant smell coming from your butter, it is likely rancid and inedible.

As with most dairy products, the USDA recommends keeping butter in the refrigerator at roughly 40 degrees Fahrenheit for food safety protocol. Here are three different methods for storing butter:

• At room temperature: Store a stick of butter on the countertop for a day or two in an airtight container or butter dish so that it stays soft and spreadable. It will not spoil when left out at room temperature due to its combination of water and fat. (Salted butter keeps longer than unsalted butter at room temperature because the salt acts as a preservative.) The best storage container for this method is a butter bell crock or French butter keeper, which holds the butter in a cup surrounded by water to prevent oxidation.
• In the freezer: Store butter in the freezer to keep it fresh for longer than two weeks. Freeze butter in an airtight container or freezer bag, and label the container with the date of freezing. When you're ready to use the frozen butter, defrost it overnight in the fridge.
• In the refrigerator: Keeping fresh butter in the fridge is the best method for long-term, day-to-day use. You can store butter in its original unopened packaging or a butter crock in the fridge for up to two weeks or until its expiration date. If you have opened the original packaging, move the butter to an airtight container or sandwich bag for storage.

Here are some tips for storing butter:

1. 1. Choose the right container. If storing butter at room temperature, use a butter bell crock to prevent oxidation. If you don’t have a crock on hand, use a covered butter dish or a small airtight container.
2. 2. Keep away from sunlight. Keep your butter covered and away from direct sunlight to prevent bacterial growth and spoilage if you’re storing it at room temperature.
3. 3. Aluminum foil speeds up oxidation. Avoid wrapping butter in aluminum foil as it can speed up the fat oxidation, which turns butter rancid.

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