Does peanut butter have to be refrigerated?

Answer 1

It depends on the peanut butter. All-natural peanut butter like the organic or no-trans-fat kind, yes. Regular mass-market like Jif or Skippy or Peter Pan does not have to be refrigerated but it won't hurt it. It will say somewhere on the jar if the peanut butter requires refrigeration.

Answer 2

It depends. If you are buying a mainstream item like Jif or Skippy, you don't need to refrigerate it. But if you are buying an "all-natural" type, or a type that needs to be stirred before using, it's best to refrigerate it. If it's homemade peanut butter, always refrigerate it because it likely doesn't contain preservatives. Bottom line: check the label to be sure!

Answer 3

According to Jif's website, if you are going to use the peanut butter within 3 months, you don't need to refrigerate it. After 3 months, refrigerate to maintain flavor.

Answer 4

Some say they do, but I don't like cold peanut butter, so I leave it out, but throw it away in a few short months.

Nothing is harder to spread than cold peanut butter. You could always put a little on a saucer and microwave for a few seconds to make it more spreadable, though. It works; I've tried it.


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Answer 5

organic or natural peanut butter does because it doesn't have any preservatives and the oil will get rancid. Regular peanut butter had plenty of chemicals in it and you don't need to refrigerate.

Answer 6

Not unless it's all natural peanut butter. You can tell by the oil floating on the top of the natural nut butters, peanut included.

Answer 7

It doesn't have to be, but natural peanut butter without preservatives can be. Look on the label, it will say.

Answer 8

I lived in a village in Africa with no electricity for years and we always had peanut butter. Still alive and well 20 years later. Case dismissed!

Answer 9

NO.

It is filled with preservatives and is just fine in a sealed jar in the cabinet.

If you refrigerate it, you will find it is almost impossible to spread when it is cold.

Answer 10

No, it's very difficult to use after. You almost have to let it sit out for a few minutes before you use it if you refridgerate it. But refridgerating won't hurt it. I leave mine in a cabinet so it's not exposed to the sun or heat. It will eventually go ransid if you don't use it.