Fridge storage
How long does butter last in the fridge?
About 30 days for butter. That’s what Well Stockd plans on; the table below has the sources’ own times.
Times are for a fridge at 40°F (4°C) or below. They’re a guide, not a safety guarantee.
How we checked this: each storage time here is checked against the source named beside it, USDA FoodKeeper, USDA FSIS or another, before the page goes live. A time marked “Our estimate” is Well Stockd’s own, since FoodKeeper and FSIS give none. Editorial policy
Read the full guide: How long can butter sit out of the fridge?
How long it keeps
- Unopened
- 1 to 2 months refrigerated, or the printed date Source: USDA FoodKeeper: Butter (opens in a new tab)
- Opened or cut
- About 2 weeks at best quality once opened; salted butter keeps longer than unsalted Our estimate: FoodKeeper and FSIS give no time for this.
- Freezer
- About 9 months (270 days) at best quality. Frozen food stays safe indefinitely at 0°F; the time is about texture and flavor. Source: USDA FoodKeeper: Butter (opens in a new tab)Compare freezer times for other foods on the printable freezer storage chart.
- How to store it
- Wrapped or in a covered dish away from strong-smelling foods: butter takes on odors.
How to tell if butter has gone bad
Dates are estimates; these are the checks that actually decide it. Don’t taste food to check whether it has gone bad.
Throw it out at once if you see:
- Rancid or cheesy smell
Also a sign it has gone bad:
- Darkened or translucent edges
Sources and limits
Even a longer time like this depends on the packaging, the temperature, how ripe the food is and whether it’s been opened.
Well Stockd doesn’t know when this food was harvested, packed, bought, opened or cooked. Write down the date you opened, cooked or refrigerated it, follow the package directions, keep your fridge at 40°F or below, and check the official listing when food safety is in question.
Each time in the table names its source beside it. A time marked “Our estimate” is Well Stockd’s own, because FoodKeeper and FSIS give none for that food in that state, and where our time differs from FoodKeeper’s, the row shows FoodKeeper’s figure too. The number at the top is Well Stockd’s own estimate. It’s a guide, not a safety guarantee: FoodKeeper says storage times are guidelines, and quality varies with how food is grown, handled, shipped and stored. This page was last updated .
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