Unnecessary Chilling of Butter: A Misconception Debunked?
Laid-back Guide to Butter Storage:
Uncovering Truths about this Dairy Favorite
Butter - you probably use it daily, but do you really know the deal with this creamy dairy fat? Here's a lowdown on whether it spoils, needs refrigeration, and expert tips for keeping it fresh and flavorsome.
One often asked question about butter: Does it go bad? Yes, indeed! So, should it be refrigerated? Ideally, yes. But just how long can you leave butter out before it turns rancid? Well... that depends.
Read further for all you need to know about storing butter.
Does butter need to chill out in the fridge?
A stick of butter that's about to melt can straight up come out of the fridge cold, but if you're after soft butter for spreading on toast, creaming with sugar, or whipping into a fluffy buttercream frosting, you might prefer leaving it out on the counter indefinitely to keep it at that lovely, spreadable consistency.
However, for preservation's sake, it's a wiser idea to keep your butter in the fridge, away from heat and light. In a typical fridge, butter will last for as long as 3 months (but be wary of use-by dates for a general idea of freshness).
How long can you leave butter out in the open?
Butter generally can stay out for several days without going rancid. Salted butter will stay fresher than unsalted butter, as the salt acts as a preservative. Precisely how long butter will remain fresh at room temperature depends on the heat and light it gets and whether it's wrapped.
Room temperature is perfect for butter you're keeping out of the fridge, but if you live in a hot climate or your house tends to run warm, consider using ceramic butter crocks or "bells" to increase butter's lifespan, as they keep the butter cool and protected.
Ghee, a type of clarified butter, can be kept in an airtight container for up to 3 months at room temperature or a full year in the fridge, since the milk solids are strained out during the process of making ghee, leading to a longer shelf life than regular butter at room temperature. However, remember that all dairy products do eventually expire.
Can you tell if butter has gone bad?
The old rhyme about Betty Baker buying bitter butter isn't just a cute saying. A bitter flavor indicates rancid butter. So does a stale taste or a strong smell. Rancidity is the fat oxidizing, a process that happens faster with exposure to the elements, such as sunlight and contact with certain metals, like a butter knife.
Can you freeze butter?
Yes! Butter can be frozen for up to a year (longer freezing may affect flavor and texture). So if there's a sale and you want to stockpile, go ahead and chuck those extra sticks in the freezer. Just remember to wrap them up carefully.
Storing butter like a pro
Room-temperature, refrigerated, and frozen butter all need to be stored wrappetically or in a covered dish, advises pastry chef Emily Luchetti. "Butter picks up flavors so easily, whether it's in the fridge or not," Luchetti says. "Even if you leave it out, it's best to cover it with aluminum foil." The California Milk Advisory Board also suggests storing butter in the coldest part of the refrigerator for optimal freshness and flavor, and butter producer Land O'Lakes advises against storing it in the butter keeper on the fridge door, as the temperature there may be higher than elsewhere in the fridge.
Sprucing up your butter game
You decide whether to store your butter in the fridge or not, but you can't go wrong with these recipes for flavored butters to zest up any meal.
1. Chile lime tequila compound butter
This spicy-sweet butter mix is fantastic when spread on seasoned grilled corn-on-the-cob or melted on a sizzling steak.
Get our chile lime-tequila compound butter recipe.
2. Molasses clove compound butter
A sweet combo that works well on baked sweet potatoes, breakfast baked goods, or any sweet bread like brioche or challah.
Get our molasses clove compound butter recipe.
3. Blue cheese and chive butter
This decadent combination takes grilled veggies to the next level and is irresistible as an over-the-top topping for a burger.
Get our blue cheese and chive butter recipe.
4. Honey butter
A simple honey and butter mixture serves as a delicious sweet spread for any baked good. We recommend cornbread!
Get the honey butter recipe.
5. Cajun compound butter
Here, a blend of Cajun spices such as paprika, cayenne, and thyme harmonizes with butter's mild creaminess. Get ready to add Louisiana flair to fish, shrimp, grits, or anything that isn't nailed down.
Get the Cajun compound butter recipe.
- To maintain the freshness and flavor of butter, it's advisable to store it in the coldest part of the refrigerator, according to the California Milk Advisory Board and butter producer Land O'Lakes.
- While soft butter is perfect for spreading on toast or whipping into frosting, it's wise to refrigerate it for longer preservation, as butter can stay out for several days without going rancid, but the heat and light it gets and whether it's wrapped can significantly affect its lifespan.
- When leaving butter out of the fridge, it's better to use ceramic butter crocks or "bells" to keep the butter cool and protected, especially if your climate is hot or your house tends to be warm.
- If you want to store butter for a longer period, you can freeze it for up to a year, but it's important to wrap it carefully to prevent flavors from being absorbed.
