Waste specialists at Wheeldon Brothers have advised that keeping butter in the fridge may not be the best storage solution. Storing butter at room temperature, provided it is kept in a covered dish, can preserve it for over two weeks, they said.
Why room temperature works
Butter is a household essential across the UK, whether it is spread on hot toast, melted into a jacket potato or used in baking. Yet keeping it fresh while maintaining the ideal consistency can prove tricky, especially when it comes to getting it ready for use straight from the packet.
While some prefer their butter firm, others favour a softer texture that spreads effortlessly without ripping bread. The waste specialists said leaving butter out of the fridge is not only safe but also far more practical.
Expert advice on storage
They said: "We often see people throw away butter simply because it's gone hard or they think it's spoiled when left out."
"In reality, butter is much more stable than people think, especially salted butter."
"Storing it on the counter, in the right conditions, makes it easier to use and reduces how often it's wasted."
"Because butter has a low moisture content and minimal protein or carbohydrates, it's less appealing to bacteria and mould compared to other dairy items."
How to store butter properly
Leaving butter exposed or keeping it in its original wax wrapper can cause bacteria to accumulate, so it is advisable to store it in a lidded butter dish. It is equally important to keep it away from heat sources, such as windowsills or anywhere near the oven.
The experts added: "If you prefer to keep butter chilled, salted butter can last one to two months in the fridge, and up to nine months in the freezer."
"But storing it cold often makes it too firm to use quickly, leading many to cut off more than they need, or letting it melt wastefully on the counter."
"This simple butter storage hack could help you reduce food waste, save money, and make baking and spreading far easier."
"Small changes like this can have a big impact. By storing food in smarter ways, like keeping butter soft and ready to go, we can make our kitchens more efficient and cut down on unnecessary waste."
