Store butter in the refrigerator for best quality. Butter should be stored in its’ original carton or a covered container. The butter keeper in the door of the refrigerator is NOT the best place to keep the butter as it is sometimes warmer than the rest of the refrigerator

How long can butter be kept refrigerated?

The code date on each carton and container of butter shows the month, date, and year that the butter should be used by for best quality. This date is the last day the butter can be sold in the stores. With age, the quality of butter declines.

How should butter be stored?

We recommend that butter be refrigerated at 32º - 38ºF. Bring out only enough butter that you plan to use for each meal. After use, any remaining butter should be returned to the refrigerator immediately, making sure it is covered or re-wrapped, to insure freshness and flavor. Butter is very susceptible to picking up foreign odors and flavors and should always be stored away from highly aromatic food products. Heat and light speed undesirable chemical and physical changes in butter. If it is not refrigerated, or left out for prolonged periods, this could cause flavor changes, rancidity and mold growth.

Can butter be frozen? For how long?

Butter can be frozen very successfully for about 4 months at 20°- 30°F. Longer freezing may affect the flavor and texture. Butter keeps best when stored in its’ original carton and placed in plastic freezer bags.

Why is butter so firm?

Butter is "firm" when it is stored under normal refrigeration temperatures (32º - 38ºF). In order for it to become more spreadable, we recommend that prior to use, it be removed from the refrigerator and left at room temperature for ½ to 1 hour or until it reaches the desired consistency. Refrigerated whipped butter spreads easier when left at room temperature for 30 minutes. See Cooking Tips for other suggestions for softening butter.