Should You Store Butter In A Dish?

Which butter storage container is the best?

The choice of butter dish you select will depend on your storage method, whether you keep your butter in the refrigerator or on the countertop. Typically, butter can remain fresh for about two weeks in the fridge, while it lasts only a day or two at room temperature. (You can also freeze butter to extend its shelf life significantly.)

For those who prefer to keep soft butter on the counter, a butter crock, such as the Butter Bell Ceramic French Crock, is ideal. Its design features a top and bottom filled with cold water, which helps to block out air and bacteria while acting as an insulator to keep the butter spreadable without melting. Although the water needs to be changed daily, butter stored correctly in a crock can last up to a week on the counter, but it should be discarded sooner if you notice any discoloration or off odors.

On the other hand, butter dishes are more suitable for butter kept in the fridge, as they lack the insulation that crocks provide, which can prevent the butter from becoming overly soft. Nevertheless, these dishes do help protect the butter from absorbing any unwanted odors or flavors from the fridge that could affect its taste. When selecting a butter dish, there are numerous options available, such as the Signoraware Plastic Butter Dish or the sturdy Le Creuset Stoneware Butter Dish, which can complement your Le Creuset Dutch oven.