Should Butter Stay on the Counter or in the Fridge? The Surprising Truth Many People Don’t Know

And is it truly safe to leave butter out for days? To understand the answer, it helps to know what butter is made of. Butter contains about 80% fat and 20% water, with very small amounts of protein and sugar.

Since bacteria feed on protein and sugar, butter spoils more slowly than dairy products like milk or cream. Salted butter has an additional advantage because salt naturally slows the growth of bacteria and mold. This explains why many families have safely kept butter on the counter for decades.

Even though butter resists harmful bacteria, it can still turn rancid when exposed to light, air or high heat. Rancidity isn’t dangerous, but it does affect the flavor and aroma, making the butter unpleasant to eat. Food safety experts generally agree on a few guidelines.

Salted butter can typically stay out for one to two weeks as long as it is stored in a covered dish and kept away from direct heat or sunlight. Unsalted butter should be refrigerated and only left out for short periods, usually from a few hours to a day, since it doesn’t benefit from salt’s preserving qualities. If your kitchen is very warm or humid, even salted butter may spoil more quickly and should be refrigerated more often.Continue reading…