Of course, dairy products may be purchased, stored and prepared in many different ways, each of which can result in a different expiration date. All foods last for a shorter period of time if they are not stored properly. But remember, many food products carry a "best by date" which is simply the last date the manufacturer will guaranty the quality, not the safety, of their product. Because of this distinction, you may safely use butter to compliment your favorite meals even after the best by date has lapsed (see above table).

How to tell if Butter is bad, rotten or spoiled?

Practicing proper hygiene and food safety techniques will help prevent foodborne illness.

Although not a perfect test, your senses are usually the most reliable instruments to tell if it butter has gone bad.

Spoiled butter will begin to appear pale, may possibly grow mold and will be either too soft or too hard and difficult to spread. In addition, spoiled butter can smell stale, cheesy or decomposed.

If your product has gone bad and you need a quick substitute, then check our page on butter substitutes

There are, of course, certain health risks associated with spoiled foods so always remember to practice food safety and enjoy your foods before their shelf life has expired!

How to store Butter to extend its shelf life?

You can help keep yours fresh longer by storing it in your refrigerator immediately after purchase and after each use. Proper refrigeration --at 40°F or below-- is vital. Store butter on an interior refrigerator shelf rather than in the door, where the temperature fluctuates with frequent opening.

Although salted varieties may last longer, we do recommend that you follow the same storage methods discussed above.

For a long-term option, you can freeze it for about 6 months while preserving its taste if you replace the wax rapper with foil or another freezer friendly product.

Some benefits of proper food storage include eating healthier, cutting food costs and helping the environment by avoiding waste.

Interesting facts about Butter:

Commercially prepared butter can safely be stored on the counter, however, it is not recommended if your intent is to extend its shelf life and freshness. Butter is like a sponge, it absorbs the odors from surrounding foods quite easily and this will affect its taste.

If you are storing butter on the counter, we recommend keeping it in a tightly sealed container to block odors and bacteria. The butter will last for several days at a temperature of 65 degrees Fahrenheit.

How to use extra before your Butter goes bad?

How long is Butter good for when prepared in a dish?

How long does butter last? That depends. How long does bread last? In general, all foods last only as long as the quickest expiring ingredient that they are mixed with.

What are our shelf life resources?

In determining how long Butter lasts, our content incorporates research from multiple resources, including the United States Department of Agriculture and the United States Food & Drug Administration. In addition, we scoured the web for informative articles and reports related to food safety, food storage and the shelf life of Butter.

*An important note about expiration dates...

Although the Butter shelf life information on Eat By Date is generally reliable, please remember that individual cases will vary and that our advice should only be taken as an opinion and not a replacement for your health care professional. Please eat responsibly!