You’ve reached for that stick of butter in the back of your refrigerator before and paused to ask yourself, “Does butter go bad?” Here, we have all your most pressing questions about this golden kitchen staple answered.
How Long Will This Dairy Product Last in the Fridge?
Butter is a dairy product, and like all perishables, it has a shelf life. Unopened one will last in the refrigerator for about 4 months past the sell-by date. But once you break open that buttery bounty, you can eat it within two weeks for optimal taste and freshness.
For those of us who are out buying things in bulk (like, me!). or need to extend its shelf life, you can freeze the butter. It can be frozen for up to six months without any loss of quality. So long as you wrap it tight to avoid freezer burn, you’ll be good to go.
How to Know if It’s Gone Bad
Then how can you tell when butter’s gone bad? Luckily, butter offers a few telltale signs that indicate it’s gone bad. I have been there, and I’ll take your word for it.
Do the Sniff Test: Fresh butter should smell sweet and creamy. If it ever smells rancid or sour, time to throw it away.
Check the Color: Butter comes in a wide range of shades from pale yellow to deep gold as a natural result of dairy variation. However, very dark or blotchy coloration may be a sign of spoilage.
Check the Texture: Spoiled one will sometimes have a texture of slime, extra soft, or mold.
How to Keep Butter Fresh
The secret to keeping your butter fresh and tasty is storing it properly. Here are a few ways to keep butter in optimum shape:
Keep it Chilled: No butter should be kept outside the fridge. The product is slightly chilled, which slows oxidation and spoilage, helping it stay fresh longer.
Use a Butter Dish: If you prefer to have a slightly more spreadable butter on hand then a butter dish is the thing! Just be sure to finish it up within two weeks to prevent spoilage.
Freeze for Good Measure: Whether you purchase in bulk or discover an amazing deal, freeze your butter to extend its life even further! Package it up tightly to protect it from freezer burn and keep it fresh.
Keep Air Out: Exposure to air is one of the culprits behind butter’s shortened life span. Keep your golden spread wrapped in parchment paper or foil to preserve it from external elements.
Butter can spoil, but if you know the right way to store it and what to look for you can keep it fresh for a good, long time. So spread it on your toast, start cooking with it, or whatever — because life is just better when there’s a big dollop of fresh golden spread! Yum.
