Land O’Lakes Finally Settles the Debate: How Long Can You Leave Butter Out on the Counter?

[Michie]

Sorry, grandma, you might not like this answer.

When it comes to storing food, many of us simply follow what our parents and grandparents did. Who cares about reading the package instructions when grandma left her butter in the butter bell all day, every day, right?

So, maybe your butter’s home is on the counter in a dish. Or if not on the counter at all times, perhaps you leave your butter sitting out overnight to soften before baking.


But, should you really leave butter sitting out, unrefrigerated? And, if so, how long can it be on the counter before it becomes unsafe to eat? We asked the experts at Land O’Lakes to put the debate to rest once and for all—and, some of you might not like the answer.

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.


Continued below.

Land O’Lakes Finally Settles the Debate: How Long Can You Leave Butter Out on the Counter?

We went to the experts at Land O'Lakes to determine once and for all if you can leave butter sitting out on the counter and, if so, for how long.

www.allrecipes.com

 

[AV1611VET]

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.

Just ask Jeeves.

 

[Occams Barber]

Sorry, grandma, you might not like this answer.

When it comes to storing food, many of us simply follow what our parents and grandparents did. Who cares about reading the package instructions when grandma left her butter in the butter bell all day, every day, right?

So, maybe your butter’s home is on the counter in a dish. Or if not on the counter at all times, perhaps you leave your butter sitting out overnight to soften before baking.


But, should you really leave butter sitting out, unrefrigerated? And, if so, how long can it be on the counter before it becomes unsafe to eat? We asked the experts at Land O’Lakes to put the debate to rest once and for all—and, some of you might not like the answer.

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.


Continued below.

Land O’Lakes Finally Settles the Debate: How Long Can You Leave Butter Out on the Counter?

We went to the experts at Land O'Lakes to determine once and for all if you can leave butter sitting out on the counter and, if so, for how long.

www.allrecipes.com

A bit of language trivia.

When I saw 'counter' in your post /article I assumed you were talking about leaving butter out in the context of a shop. It wasn't until I read the article that the penny dropped.

In Australia, a 'counter' is the flat surface in a shop or cafe where you are served. What you call a counter I would call a kitchen bench or benchtop.

PS. In Australia we would never normally leave butter out of the fridge.

OB

 

[Michie]

A bit of language trivia.

When I saw 'counter' in your post /article I assumed you were talking about leaving butter out in the context of a shop. It wasn't until I read the article that the penny dropped.

In Australia, a 'counter' is the flat surface in a shop or cafe where you are served. What you call a counter I would call a kitchen bench or benchtop.

PS. In Australia we would never normally leave butter out of the fridge.

OB

Interesting. I have never been one to leave butter out for any length of time without good reason. It just grosses me out.

 

[AV1611VET]

 

[QvQ]

I always have salted butter in a covered dish on the counter. A stick will be used within 7 days.
My mother did the same thing and my grandmother before that.
Never a problem

 

[seeking.IAM]

Grandma and mom always left the butter out in a covered butter dish. I never died, and I have no idea what rancid butter tastes like. Perhaps we ate it too fast to have it turn rancid, which I reckon could be a problem in and of itself.

I hate going to restaurants serving butter too cold to spread without mutilating my bread.

 

[Halbhh]

We've in the last couple of years used a butter holder where the butter can be a little cooler (but not much) than room temp inside a bell over water which seals the bell and keeps it cool. Even after a week in the summer it was fine tasting as I recall. But the bell occasionally has to be cleaned, etc., so that it's barely any advantage unless you are using the butter very often.

 

[Bumble Bee]

Just ask Jeeves.

I miss Ask Jeeves!!!!

 

[Bumble Bee]

I’m so glad to have found this article!! Butter has been a frustration for me because we don’t go through it fast enough to leave it on the counter in a butter dish, but it is always too hard to spread when kept in the fridge. Thank you!!

 

[Michie]

You are very welcome @Bumble Bee!

I’m so glad to have found this article!! Butter has been a frustration for me because we don’t go through it fast enough to leave it on the counter in a butter dish, but it is always too hard to spread when kept in the fridge. Thank you!!