Can I Leave Butter On The Counter?

Can I Leave Butter On The Counter?

It turns out that this concept is a little bit more complicated than a simple yes or no response because it’s more than just a question of safety.

Even though, according to Tonja Engen, Land O’Lakes’ Culinary Content Specialist, “the USDA and FDA require that most dairy products be stored in the refrigerator,” butter doesn’t always fall into that dairy category. Because, according to the USDA, butter is safe to consume at room temperature—however, that isn’t the only concern.

While butter is “safe” to consume at room temperature, you don’t always want to. Leaving butter out can cause it to go bad and become rancid, which can significantly impact the flavor. So, Land O’Lakes has some recommendations to ensure your butter is the best it can be.

“[For storage], Land O’Lakes recommends following the ‘Keep Refrigerated’ directions printed on the labels,” said Engen.

But, don’t worry, when you need to soften butter, you can still leave it on the counter without it going rancid. Land O’Lakes says taking your butter out of the fridge for about 30 to 60 minutes before use will perfectly soften it for spreading and baking.

So, How Long Can I Leave Butter Out?

Even though room-temperature butter likely won’t make you sick, Land O’Lakes recommends storing butter in the fridge when you’re not using it. But, if you’re in the heat of baking and forget to put the last little knob back in the fridge right away, that’s ok—just so long as you don’t let it sit out for a few extra hours.

“Do not leave butter at room temperature for more than 4 hours,” says Engen. “Always return any unused butter to the refrigerator and be aware that butter left outside refrigeration may become darker in color and have the flavor affected.”

Keeping butter in the fridge is a good rule of thumb as it ensures the tasty fat won’t take on any undesirable odors or flavors from your kitchen. Plus, the cool fridge temps make butter last much longer because room-temperature butter can go rancid within a day or two, according to the USDA, while refrigerated or frozen butter can last months.