How to Keep Unsalted Butter at Room Temperature

Butter is sold in pound blocks or in four quarters.

The days of the average American transforming the cream from cow's milk into butter in a butter churn may be long gone, but the desire to top fresh baked bread with sweet creamy butter endures. Fortunately, you can purchase butter in the grocery store in 1-pound blocks or quarters. When refrigerated, butter keeps up to two weeks, but butter straight from the refrigerator may be difficult to spread.

Instructions

1. Remove butter from the refrigerator 10 to 15 minutes before you need to use it. This allows the butter to soften, without the risk of going rancid. Exposure to air, warmth and light promotes spoilage and results in inferior taste and smell.

2. Cover the butter and return it to the refrigerator after meals. Keep the temperature below 40 degrees Fahrenheit, as butter picks up flavors from other foods at higher temperatures. Store tightly sealed in the original wrapper whenever possible.

3. Store butter that will not be used within a week in the freezer in a moisture and air proof container. Butter retains its flavor for six to nine months at zero degrees Fahrenheit.

Tips & Warnings

• Cut butter into meal-sized portions prior to meals and allow to rest a room temperature. This eliminates the need to repeatedly return the butter to the refrigerator, while allowing you to enjoy fresh butter at room temperature.

• USDA Grade AA is the highest quality of butter.

• Whipped butter spoils quicker than unwhipped butter due to the presence of air. Remove whipped butter from the refrigerator immediately prior to using and return it to the refrigerator promptly.

References

• University of Missouri Extension; Using and Storing Butter; Barbara J. Willenberg, et al.; October 1993
• Clemson University Extension; Safe Handling of Milk and Dairy Products; P.H. Schmutz, et al.; March 2007

Resources

• Idaho State University Extension: Homemade Butter