The Ultimate Guide to Storing Butter: Expert Tips from Land O’ Lakes

Storing butter can spark quite the debate. Should you keep it on the counter, fridge, or even freeze it? To answer this, we reached out to the experts at Land O’ Lakes. They’ve been butter specialists for over a century and shared some valuable insights on storing this kitchen staple.

How to Store Butter Properly

Room Temperature or Refrigerated?
While many love to have butter soft and spreadable at room temperature, the USDA suggests that butter should be refrigerated if it won’t be used within a few hours. “Leaving butter out for over four hours can change its taste and color,” says Tonja Engen from Land O’ Lakes.

Keep It Fresh
Proper storage preserves butter’s rich flavor. Engen notes that fresh butter should taste creamy and have a pale-yellow hue. It can pick up odors from strong-smelling foods, like garlic and onions, so it’s best kept sealed and away from them.

Where in the Fridge?
Many store butter in the fridge door, but that’s often the warmest spot in the fridge. Instead, store butter in its original packaging at the back of the fridge, where it’s coldest. For opened butter, use an airtight container to keep it fresh longer.

Freezing Butter for Longevity

Freezing is a simple way to extend butter’s life. If you want to freeze it:

• Keep It Wrapped: Store sticks in their original packaging.
• Use It Within Four Months: Check the label; butter is best if used before the expiration date.
• Thawing: To soften frozen butter, let it sit in the fridge overnight, or quickly grate it and let the shreds soften at room temperature.

Signs Butter Has Gone Bad

Need to check if your butter is still good? Here’s what to look for:

• Smell and Taste: Fresh butter has a creamy scent. If it’s sour or smells off, toss it.
• Color Change: Fresh butter is pale yellow. A darker hue may indicate spoilage.
• Mold: Any sign of mold means you should throw the butter out.

With these tips, you can enjoy your butter at its best. Whether you opt for room temp or keep it chilled, knowing how to store it correctly ensures that every bite remains delicious.

For more tips on butter storage, check out this Southern Living article.

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Land O' Lakes, United States Department of Agriculture, Land O'Lakes, Tonja Engen