This Is How Long You Can Leave Butter On the Counter, According To Kerrygold

For many cooks, butter is a grocery list staple. It’s infinitely helpful to have on hand. You can use it for baking, cooking, and (of course!) spreading liberally on toast. You probably don’t need any inspiration or guidance for how to use up your butter, but if you’re anything like me, you may be wondering about the best way to store it.

Butter, like eggs, is one of those ingredients that seems to stay fresh for ages. But when it goes bad, it’s extremely unpleasant. Not to mention, spoiled butter can make you sick. So how do you keep butter fresh for longer? Is it okay to store it on the counter if you want to use it for spreading? Find the answers below.

Is It OK To Leave Butter On the Counter?

For those of us who like our butter to be soft and spreadable, storing it on the countertop seems like the best solution. But is that safe? According to a representative at Kerrygold—the makers of grass-fed Irish butter—the countertop crew may be playing it fast and loose. It recommends keeping butter at room temperature for no more than four hours at a time, saying, “Dependent on the individual environment, elements such as temperature, light, and odor may have a negative effect on the [butter’s] quality and freshness.”

Anecdotally, I’ve always stored butter on my counter and it’s never spoiled before I use it. (That said, a stick of butter never hangs around my house for longer than a week.) Light and air expedite a butter’s deterioration, so if you go this route, make sure to store it in a container that protects it from those elements: A French-style butter crock is a good option.

How Do You Store Butter to Keep it Fresh?

The best way to store butter is in the refrigerator. Leaving it on the counter invites the risk of foodborne illness or spoiling (more on that below), so if you want to keep your butter fresh for as long as possible, the fridge is where it’s at.

Once opened, butter will last in the refrigerator for about a month, according to Kerrygold. To maximize this potential, be sure your refrigerator is under 40°F. 

37°F is the optimal temperature for keeping perishable foods fresh but not frozen. And speaking of icy temperatures: Can you freeze butter? Yep! Kerrygold says it’ll stay good for up to 18 months in a properly chilled freezer, so feel free to stock up when there’s a sale.

Does Salt or Fat Content Affect Butter’s Freshness?

Salted butter and butter with a higher fat content—sometimes known as European or European-style butter—tastes delicious. Salt is a natural preservative, so salted butter will, anecdotally, stay fresh a bit longer than unsalted butter. (That said, some baking recipes require unsalted butter, so be sure you have the right kind before making a recipe.) Fat is also a preservative, so higher-fat butter—between 85 and 90 percent butterfat—may last even longer.

While no one wants to rip holes in their toast by trying to spread cold butter, to be safe and reduce your risk of foodborne illness, it’s best to follow Kerrygold’s instructions and keep your butter in the refrigerator. You can remove it from the fridge a few hours before a meal if you want it to soften for maximum spreadability (there are several speedy butter-softening methods to choose from). Another option: Only remove the amount of butter you plan on eating an hour or two before use, and keep the rest safely chilled.