How Long Does Compound Butter Actually Last In The Fridge? (2024)

Stacie Adams

·3 min read

Butter is pretty amazing on its own, but it becomes even more magnificent when you mix in other ingredients. This is the key to making compound butter, which is chilled, high-quality butter featuring herbs, sweeteners, and other add-ons. Once the compound recipe is complete, you must store butter in the refrigerator as you normally would. In many cases, herb-infused compound butter can last up to two months in the refrigerator. However, storage time really depends on the ingredients you've included in the compound butter recipe.

For example, swapping dried herbs for fresh ones can cause compound butter to spoil at a faster rate. In this case, compound butter may only last up to five days before decreasing in quality. When it comes to compound butter containing garlic, it will typically keep for up to two weeks in the fridge. If you incorporate sun-dried tomatoes into the mix, the compound butter should be consumed within one week. Of course, how you store the butter can make a huge difference when it comes to longevity.

Read more: 7 Butter Brands You Should Buy, And 7 You Shouldn't

How To Store Compound Butter For The Best Results

One of the most common methodsfor storing compound butter in the refrigerator involves parchment paper. Not only will this method preserve butter for as long as possible, but it also makes it much easier to serve. Transfer the butter from the mixing bowl to a sheet of parchment paper, then wrap the parchment paper around the butter. Next, form it inside the parchment paper into a cylindrical shape and seal the ends by twisting the paper together. If you're making a few different versions of compound butter, be sure to label the parchment paper with a marker to avoid mixing them up.

It's also possible to freeze compound butter, which means you can enjoy the recipe for approximately three months. Keep in mind that you must freeze butter correctly to avoid quality issues. A convenient option is to take an ice cube tray and deposit butter into each compartment. However, butter will need to be covered to keep in the freezer, so only use an ice cube tray if you have a lid for it. If not, put the butter into a sealable container and place it in the freezer.

What To Look For If You Think Your Butter Has Gone Bad

How Long Does Compound Butter Actually Last In The Fridge? (2)

Storing compound butter correctly allows you to enjoy it for longer, but you should also know how to tell that it's no longer safe to eat, as recommended by Southern Living. The fatty nature of butterdoes offer some robust protection against spoilage, but nothing good lasts forever. That's why cold storage is crucial for all types of butter, as it will spoil much faster when exposed to room temperature conditions.

You can usually tell that butter has gone bad just by smell alone. Butter has a mild, almost imperceptible smell, although compound varieties will smell most like whatever ingredients they include. Conversely, spoiled butter will have a sharp, acidic odor that will probably put you off eating it. In the event you do eat it, you'll notice that it also has a sour flavor, which is a clear indication that the compound butter should be discarded. Similarly, off-putting colors or mold growth also signal that it's time to whip up a new batch of compound butter and do away with the old one.

Read the original article on Daily Meal.

How Long Does Compound Butter Actually Last In The Fridge? (2024)

FAQs

How Long Does Compound Butter Actually Last In The Fridge? ›

How To Store Compound Butter. You should store compound butter in the fridge or freezer in an airtight container. Depending on the ingredients you've added to the butter, it should last in the refrigerator for one week and a maximum of one month. In the freezer, compound butter will last for months.

How long do compound butters last in the fridge? ›

In the fridge, you can expect it to keep for about three or more months, while in the freezer, you can keep it for as long as a year-plus. (Of course, always keep an eye on the expiration date on your package.)

How to tell if compound butter is bad? ›

A nasty smell is a sure sign of spoiled butter. Any stale or sour odors mean it's time to get rid of it.

How long is garlic compound butter good for? ›

Storing Compound Butter

To store your Garlic Herb Compound Butter, pop it in the fridge until solid and portion out as need for later! You can store Garlic Herb Compound Butter in your fridge for 1 week or in the freezer for up to 6 months.

How long does butter really last in the fridge? ›

In the refrigerator, well-wrapped salted butter can last up to five months without spoiling. Salt is a preservative that prevents microbial growth and extends shelf life. Unsalted butter can last up to three months in the fridge. (If the butter is unwrapped, shorten those projections to about two months in the fridge.)

Does compound butter get better over time? ›

Many chefs advocate making compound butters and then freezing them, using them when needed, they say the butters just improve over time. Within limits of course.

Will rancid butter make you sick? ›

Spoiled Butter Vs.

It should be pointed out that rancid butter can't make you sick, but it won't taste or smell very good. Rancidity is caused by exposure to oxygen, light and heat. So, to prevent rancidity, keep your butter in an opaque butter dish with a lid.

How to know if butter is rancid? ›

Any sour or off-putting smell means it's a goner. Same goes for taste: If it tastes sour or off, toss it out. 5 And don't worry, a small taste of rancid butter won't hurt you. Of course any visible mold, discoloration, and changes in texture are visible cues that it's time to throw the butter in the trash.

Why is my compound butter crumbling? ›

Too much solid product, and the resulting butter will crumble.

Why do chefs use compound butter? ›

Compound butter or “beurre composse” in French is simply unsalted butter mixed with other ingredients that add sweet or savory flavor, like honey, herbs, or garlic. This creamy spread can be easily added to meats, and sauces sides to add extra flavor.

Should you melt butter for compound butter? ›

Bring your butter to room temperature.

Cold butter won't blend with your mix-ins, and melted butter won't keep its consistency to hold them in place. Room temperature is like Goldilocks and the Three Bears: not too cold and not too hot.

How long does homemade butter stay good in the fridge? ›

Homemade butter's shelf life depends on how thoroughly you extract the buttermilk. If a substantial amount of buttermilk remains, it will sour within a week, otherwise homemade butter can keep for up to 2-3 weeks in the fridge.

How long does refrigerated compound butter last? ›

How To Store Compound Butter. You should store compound butter in the fridge or freezer in an airtight container. Depending on the ingredients you've added to the butter, it should last in the refrigerator for one week and a maximum of one month. In the freezer, compound butter will last for months.

How to prevent botulism in garlic confit? ›

Storing the garlic confit in the refrigerator, and only for a limited time, helps avoid any food-borne illness risks.

Does garlic butter go bad in the fridge? ›

How Long Does Homemade Garlic Butter Last? Garlic butter can be shaped into a cylinder and wrapped up tightly in plastic wrap, then refrigerated for up to five days or frozen for a few months. Thaw before using, and cut off what you need from one end before rewrapping.

Can you store body butter in the fridge? ›

Keeping the jar clean, I wipe the edge clear of any spills and put on the lid. *Once packaged, you can store these in the fridge for 6-8 months. Once you have put your Butter in a suitable container, then ENJOY!

Does challenge butter go bad? ›

Challenge packages suggest butter may be kept frozen for up to 4 months, but very fresh butter has been frozen successfully for up to 12 months at 20°-30°F. Although freezing will prolong shelf life, gradual flavor and texture changes will occur over time.

Can you leave compound butter out overnight? ›

Butter is a staple in most kitchens, and typically, you can find it in the refrigerator. However, some butters, like the compound butters from Better Butter, are completely safe to store outside of the fridge.

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