Is it safe to store butter at room temperature?

by Diane Lofshult

Food for Thought:

Storing butter can definitely be tricky. The shelf life of butter can be extended if you store it properly—meaning away from heat, light and air. Because it is a fat, storing butter at room temperature will cause an off smell and taste. To ensure optimal freshness, keep butter cool and refrigerated. To make it spreadable, take it out of the fridge 10–15 minutes before use (but keep it in a covered dish).

Surprisingly, the convenient tray for storing butter in most refrigerator doors doesn’t keep butter cold enough. It is actually better to store butter in the coldest part of your fridge, which is usually in a crisper drawer.

Keep in mind that butter is high in calories and saturated fat, so go easy on portion size. Another bonus to storing butter in the fridge and out of sight: it may help you eat less of it!