Butter shelf life?

Question

What is the shelf life of a unrefridgerated stick of butter, i.e., in my butter dish on my kitchen counter? 1-week? 1-month? When does butter expire?

Answer 1

Usually about two weeks, depending on temperature. It is more likely to melt and make a mess than to go "bad" in most kitchens and dining rooms. Butter is mostly fat and fats can go rancid (a chemical reaction) which can easily be detected by smell. If it looks ok and smells good it is still good. Just keep it covered to keep out dust and insects.

Bert

Answer 2

It really depends upon how warm your kitchen is. In the winter, I keep my butter out for a couple weeks. In the summer, I keep it in the fridge and only leave it out for a few hours at a time. The butter will go rancid, have an off odor and make you sick. As far as expiring, as long as it's kept chilled, it won't expire. I've had some in my freezer for over a year.

Answer 3

A few days at most depending on the weather. Butter will go rancid if left out too long.