What to do with expired butter? How to store butter?

What to do with expired butter?

You may have a pack of butter that passed its expiry date and you are now confused about tossing it or using it. Well, you can use the butter which is stored at room temperature after the expiry date in baking or for other purposes. But use it within a week. When stored in the refrigerator butter may last up to 2 weeks.

However, how long does butter last will depend on how the butter was stored or if there’re any signs of spoilage. It’s best not to eat butter that has been left open at high temperatures for too long.

This article will help you learn how to store butter and how long it can be kept. It also explains how to determine if the butter has spoiled. This article will teach you everything you need to know about this kitchen staple. Dive right in!

Shelf Life Of Butter – Can butter go bad?

Butter is a common product that many people use every day. Yet, there are times when we don’t use as much butter, as when we go on vacation for one or two weeks. Will the butter still taste good after another week? It is most likely that it will. But, can butter go bad? Butter can certainly go bad. Here are some storage techniques and reliable tips waiting for you to keep your tasty golden butter safe for a long time.

• If you refrigerate butter, it will keep its quality for up to two weeks. It will become rancid if it is left on the counter for more than one week.
• Follow the date on the packaging to determine the butter’s shelf life. These dates are conservative so you shouldn’t eat butter for more than a week after the mentioned date on the package when left out on the counter.

It is not like other dairy products, such as cream cheese and sour cream. Opening a new butter packet does not actually affect its shelf life.

• Another thing to note is that salted butter lasts longer than unsalted butter. It’s obvious that salt is a preservative so salted butter will last longer.

Storage Techniques And Tips For Butter – How to store butter?

Because of the oxidation process, butter and other fats will become rancid at room temperature. The main culprits are heat and light, which accelerate the oxidation process. Therefore, the refrigerator is the best place to store butter.

• Refrigerating butter doesn’t stop the oxidation process, but it does slow down. It takes a while for butter oils to turn rancid, and butter to go bad.
• Butter can be kept at room temperature but will lose its quality after a few days, usually 1 week.
• Use a butter dish to keep your butter spreadable. The rest can be stored in the refrigerator.
• Remember to wrap your butter tightly if you are not using a butter dish. This ensures that most of the butter’s surface is protected from air.
• You can also Freeze the butter if you want to keep it for a longer time. You can cut it into smaller pieces, separate each piece and freeze them individually in airtight containers. This will prolong the butter’s shelf life by 6-8 months.

Signs Of Spoilage For Butter – How do you tell if butter is bad?

Butter can go bad, as we have already mentioned. Oils that are kept at room temperature for longer periods of time (more than a week or a few days in some cases) will quickly go rancid. It’s simple to determine if the butter has gone bad or is still good.

When checking whether your butter is still edible, look for these signs:

• Check for molds: Toss out any butter with mold on the surface or even on the sides of the container.
• Discolorations: A stick that is extremely yellow (not just the surface) instead of the normal pale yellow is rancid.
• Smell test: A sour or rancid smell is a sign of spoiled butter.
• Taste test: It is best to toss out any sour and off tasting butter.

It is possible that butter has oxidized if the butter’s surface is yellowish (unlike fresh butter). You can scoop out the oxidized portion and eat the rest.

You don’t have to be afraid to taste butter that may be bad. A small amount won’t cause any harm. If you are certain that the butter is spoiled, throw it out immediately.

Conclusion

It is safe to keep butter refrigerated in a tightly sealed container. And a small amount of spreadable butter in a butter dish is handy to use readily in your dishes.

Butter keeps well for several weeks after its expiration date. The package is not likely to change much the quality of butter or the lasting nature of butter once opened.