ShelfLife
How long does butter last?
Butter keeps 1 to 2 months in the fridge from the day you buy it, and 6 to 9 months in the freezer. On the counter, the USDA's guidance is 1 to 2 days.
| Food | Fridge | Freezer |
|---|---|---|
| Butter | 1–2 monthsfrom purchase | 6–9 monthsfrom purchase |
Fridge at 4 °C (40 °F) or colder, freezer at −18 °C (0 °F). Freezer times are for best quality: food kept frozen stays safe, but slowly loses taste and texture. These times are USDA guidance, not a guarantee. When in doubt, throw it out.
How to tell if butter has gone bad
- A sour, cheesy or paint-like smell: the fat has gone rancid. Rancid butter isn't likely to make you ill, but it tastes unpleasant.
- A darker, translucent yellow layer on the surface where it has been exposed to air. Scrape it off; if the butter underneath smells fine, it's still good.
- Any mold, or a sour taste.
How to store butter
- Keep butter in its wrapper or a covered dish in the fridge. Butter absorbs the smells of strong foods.
- If you like it soft, keep a small amount in a covered butter dish on the counter and use it within 1 to 2 days. Keep it away from the stove and direct sun.
- Salted butter keeps a little better at room temperature than unsalted butter.
- Use a clean knife each time so crumbs and food don't get into the butter.
Can you freeze butter?
Yes, butter freezes very well for 6 to 9 months. Keep it in its original wrapper inside a freezer bag or foil so it doesn't pick up freezer smells. Thaw it in the fridge overnight, or grate it straight from frozen for baking.
Questions
Does butter need to be refrigerated?
For long storage, yes. A small amount can stay in a covered dish at room temperature for 1 to 2 days, but the rest keeps its flavor much longer in the fridge.
Can you use butter after the expiration date?
Butter kept cold often stays good a while past a best-by date. Check the smell and the surface: if it smells sour or rancid, or shows mold, throw it out.
How long does margarine last?
Longer than butter: the USDA's guidance is about 6 months in the fridge from purchase and 12 months in the freezer.
Add butter to ShelfLife with its date, so you know which pack to open first.
Related foods
- MilkFridge: until the use-by date
- CheeseFridge: 6 months
- BreadPantry: 14–18 days
- EggsFridge: 3–5 weeks
Storage times: USDA FoodKeeper (Food Safety and Inspection Service), public domain. Text by ShelfLife.