Can you freeze butter? Yes, for 6 to 9 months
Butter keeps 1 to 2 months in the fridge and 6 to 9 months in the freezer. How to wrap it, thaw it and use it, so you can stock up when it is on sale.
By Zain Nazeer, founder and editor
Photo by Marine Le Gac on Unsplash
Yes. Butter is one of the easiest foods to freeze: it keeps its best quality for 6 to 9 months in the freezer, according to the USDA's FoodKeeper. In the fridge it keeps 1 to 2 months from the day you buy it. That makes it worth stocking up when butter is on sale and freezing what you will not use in the next few weeks.
How long does butter last?
- In the fridge: 1 to 2 months from purchase.
- In the freezer: 6 to 9 months for best quality.
- On the counter: 1 to 2 days.
Food kept frozen at 0°F (-18°C) stays safe; the freezer time is about taste and texture. If the pack has a date that comes sooner, go by the pack.
How do you freeze butter?
- Leave it in its original wrapping and put it inside a freezer bag, or wrap it again in foil. The extra layer keeps out air and freezer smells.
- Freeze it in sticks or blocks you will use within a week or two of thawing.
- Write the date on the bag; see how to label meal prep.
- Press the air out of the bag. More in how to prevent freezer burn.
How do you thaw frozen butter?
Move it to the fridge the day before you need it. For pastry or biscuits that need cold butter, grate it straight from the freezer. Once thawed, keep it in the fridge and count the fridge time from then.
Does butter freeze better than other dairy?
Yes, for most cooking. Butter is mostly fat, so it comes out of the freezer much as it went in. Dairy with more water behaves differently: milk and cream cheese can separate after freezing and are best used in cooking. See can you freeze milk, can you freeze cream cheese and can you freeze cheese.
How do you use butter in meal prep?
Most of our recipes use oil, but baked oatmeal can be made with melted butter, and a frozen stick is handy for weekend baking. Buying staples in bulk and freezing them is one of the simplest savings; see a budget meal prep pantry and how to cut your grocery bill with meal prep.
How can you tell if butter has gone off?
A sour or stale smell or taste means it has turned rancid: throw it away. Throw away any butter with mould on it too. Keeping it wrapped and cold, or frozen, is what slows this down.
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