At my grandmother’s house the butter dish never went in the refrigerator. It sat on the table next to the salt and pepper, soft and ready for the biscuits.
My daughter says that’s not safe. So who is right?
The Short Answer
A small amount of salted butter can sit out for a day or two. Butter is mostly fat with very little water, so it doesn’t spoil the way milk does. The bigger risk is that it goes rancid: it starts to taste sour or stale.
So Grandma wasn’t wrong. She just used it up fast.
How to Keep Counter Butter Fresh
- Keep only what you’ll use in a day or two. Leave the rest of the box in the fridge.
- Use a covered butter dish or a butter crock. Light and air make it go off faster.
- Keep it away from the stove, the toaster and sunny windows.
- If your kitchen gets warmer than about 70°F, put it back in the fridge.
Butter That Belongs in the Fridge
- Unsalted butter. Salt helps it keep.
- Whipped butter. The extra air makes it spoil faster.
- Butter with garlic, herbs or honey mixed in. Keep these cold.
How to Tell It’s Gone Off
- It smells sour or cheesy.
- The outside turns a darker yellow than the inside.
- It tastes stale or bitter.
If you only see a darker layer on top, you can scrape it off. If the whole stick smells off, throw it out.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a butter crock?
A two-part dish. The butter goes in the cup, and a little water in the base seals it from the air. Change the water every few days.
Can I leave margarine out?
Keep margarine and butter spreads in the fridge.
Does butter last longer in the freezer?
Yes. Wrapped well, it keeps for months.
Soft butter for warm biscuits is one tradition worth keeping. Just keep it small, covered and cool.
