you’re able to put in butter at way temperature , but it depends on when you ’ll habituate it .
There does not seem to be a clean-cut reply to the question : Does butter need to be refrigerate ? Unlike dairy products like Milk River , which needs to be stored in the refrigerator to avoid spoiling , some people keep it in the fridge , but others store it on the counter so it ’s always quick to unfold across goner or a crustypiece of bread .
We sought expert advice to retrieve out if butter need to be refrigerate and if not , how long you’re able to leave it out on the tabulator , and what ’s the best way to store butter . Read on for what food for thought safety pro have to say on the progeny .
Credit:Jason Donnelly / Food Stylist: Holly Dreesman
Janilyn Hutchingsis a solid food scientist and certify professional in solid food safety atStateFoodSafety , a food prophylactic certification and training computer programme .
Jason Donnelly / Food Stylist : Holly Dreesman
Is It OK to Leave Butter Out?
The unforesightful answer is yes , you could . The agency State Food Safety read that you could store butter on the return for a few daylight without it go away bad ( rejoice , elbow room temperature butter fans!).A study from the FDA even notes that , unlike other dairy mathematical product , bothbutter and margarinehave a long story of remain secure to feed even when they ’re stored out of the icebox .
“ When butter and margarine are made , the pasteurisation process reduces any pathogen ab initio found in the pick , then the churning process switch their physical properties to become more satisfying , ” say food scientist and attest food safety professional Janilyn Hutchings .
Salted butterand margarin are the ideal candidates for leaving butter out . table salt increase their constancy and protects them even well from bacterial growth .
Credit:Jason Donnelly / Food Stylist: Holly Dreesman
Only butter that has been pasteurized ( which is butter sold at the foodstuff entrepot ) can be left out . Homemade butteror raw butter always has to be refrigerated , as do butter spreads that are unremarkably sold in small tubs .
Drawbacks of Leaving Butter Out
So while you cansafely store a joystick of butteror margarine outside the fridge , there are still a few caveat . The USDA recommends using butter or margarine that ’s stored at room temperature within a few days because it will still fuck up finally . On the other mitt , refrigerated butter will last for a couple of months . You might desire to leave behind just a modest amount on your counter and store the rest in the refrigerator . If you necessitate to soften butter for baking , you cansoften refrigerate butterquickly if you necessitate to .
“ The exact amount of fourth dimension butter and marge can be left out without becoming rancid has been deliberate , ” Hutchings says . “ For best timbre , keep butter and margarine in a covered dish and habituate them within a few days . ”
The Best Way to Store Butter
If you keep your butter on your return , a butter knockout is your dear wager for keep the butter fresh longer . You do n’t necessarily need anything fancy , though a butter dish that seals will keep your butter fresher longer than a mantrap with a non - sealing covering .
Some people who keep butter on the rejoinder swear by French butter dish . These small crocks use water to seal off the lid of the dish . Whatever container you use , just make certain you ’re carefully washing it out after each use before you fill up it with wise butter .
Buckner , Sophie . " An Age - Old Debate : Can You Leave Butter Out ? " State Food Safety . 2023
G. Arnold , Roy et al . " Evaluation and Definition of Potentially Hazardous Foods . " Institute of Food Technologists , vol . 2 , 2001 , Food and Drug Administration , pp . 1 - 109 .
" Is Butter Safe at Room Temperature ? " U.S. Department of Agriculture , 2019 .
" Home Food Storage . " University of Nebraska - Lincoln , 2023 .
