Is It Safe to Leave Butter on the Counter?

We’ve all been in this situation: You attempt to spread butter on a piece of bread, but the butter is too cold. As a result, your knife tears the bread and you’re left with clumps of butter instead of an even spread. In this case, and many others, softened butter that’s been stored at room temperature would be helpful.

But before you move that stick from the fridge, can you keep butter on the counter? Is it safe to eat at room temperature? We’ll answer these questions and more, plus share tips for storing butter, so you can spread with success.

Can You Keep Butter on the Counter?

Yes, you can keep butter on the counter, according to the folks at Cabot Creamery—but you should be careful of what kind of butter you leave at room temperature and how long you leave it on the counter.

“Storing butter safely—and deliciously—depends on the type you use,” says David Bernier, vice president of quality assurance, food safety and regulatory compliance at Cabot Creamery Cooperative. “Unsalted butter should always be kept in the refrigerator, since it lacks the preservative benefits of salt. Salted butter, however, is more forgiving and can be safely left out at room temperature (below 70°F) for a few days. Its salt content and low moisture level act as a natural preservative.”

The U.S. Department of Agriculture agrees with Bernier and suggests only leaving out an amount of butter that can be used within two days. After two days, the butter may taste rancid. So if you leave out just a little at a time, you won’t have to worry about food waste. On the other hand, since margarine is made from oil (as opposed to butter, which is made from cream), it may separate at room temperature. While the USDA notes that it is still safe to consume, you’re better off keeping margarine in the refrigerator.

How to Store Butter at Room Temperature

If you want to store butter at room temperature, you’ll want to do it as safely as possible—and that starts with choosing the right container.

“Just to be safe, keep open butter covered in a butter dish or crock to protect it from light, air and contaminants,” Bernier suggests. A crock, like a butter bell or keeper, uses water as a seal to keep butter fresh, but a covered butter dish is also a great option.

You’ll also want to keep in mind the temperature of your house before you leave butter on the counter. As Bernier notes, room temperature is fine for butter—as long as it isn’t warmer than 70°F in the house. Hot temperatures can encourage the growth of bacteria, so your best bet is to leave the butter in the fridge until you need to use it. Still, you can pull it out to soften for a little bit before you plan to use it—it’s hot enough to encourage quicker softening! And if you’re not a regular butter user, it’s probably for the best to leave your butter in the fridge or freezer.

“For longer storage or during warmer months, refrigerating all butter is safest,” Bernier notes. “And for extended shelf life—without sacrificing quality—store butter in the freezer. Be sure to wrap it well in an airtight container to prevent absorption of odors and freezer burn.”

With these tips in mind, you can store butter on the counter with confidence. For more, find out if butter goes bad.