Butter is a kitchen staple – perfect for baking, cooking, spreading, and flavoring just about everything. Whether you’ve stocked up during a sale or found yourself with more butter than you can use in a few weeks, you might find yourself wondering if you can freeze butter. The short answer is yes, you definitely can freeze butter, and it’s a great way to preserve it without sacrificing quality. We are going to cover everything you need to know about freezing butter and where to find delicious butter options from Minerva Dairy.
So, Can You Actually Freeze Butter?
Yes! You can freeze butter, and it’s a great way to extend its shelf life without losing the rich, creamy texture and flavor you love. Freezing butter is not only possible, but it’s also highly recommended if you want to preserve its freshness for long periods. Butter holds up exceptionally well in the freezer due to its low water content and high fat content, which help prevent freezer burn when stored correctly.
Whether you use butter daily or only occasionally, freezing it can help you avoid food waste, save money, and always have a stash ready. Both salted and unsalted butter can be frozen, although their storage timelines differ slightly.
How Long Can You Freeze Unsalted Butter?
Unsalted butter is a popular choice for baking, where controlling the salt content of a recipe is important. It lacks salt, a natural preservative, so unsalted butter has a slightly shorter freezer life than salted butter. You can safely freeze unsalted butter for up to 6 months. After that, it may start to deteriorate and lose its ideal flavor and texture, though it’s still safe to eat if it has been stored properly. If you want to ensure the butter’s best quality, you can wrap it tightly in aluminum foil or plastic wrap and place it in the freezer. You can also put it in a freezer-safe bag or an airtight container to prevent it from absorbing odors from the freezer.
How Long Can You Freeze Salted Butter?
Salted butter has a longer freezer life with its added salt content than unsalted butter. You can freeze salted butter for up to 12 months without a noticeable drop in quality. Salt helps preserve the butter and slows down the oxidation process, making it ideal for long-term storage. Just like with unsalted storage, you’ll want to wrap it well to protect it from freezer burn and odors.
What is the Best Way to Freeze Butter?
To get the best results when freezing butter, follow these simple steps:
- Keep it in its Original Packaging: Most butter is already wrapped in parchment or foil, which offers protection.
- Double-Wrap It: Wrap the butter in aluminum foil or plastic wrap to further insulate it.
- Place it in a Freezer Bag or Airtight Container: This prevents moisture and air from getting in and keeps your butter tasting fresh.
- Label It: Use a permanent marker to label the type of butter and date it was frozen.
If you tend to use butter in small amounts, consider cutting it into tablespoons or quarters before freezing. That way, you can defrost what you need.
Does Freezing Butter Affect Its Quality?
When stored properly, freezing butter does not significantly affect its taste, texture, or cooking performance. Once thawed, it spreads, melts, and bakes just like fresh butter. However, poor storage can cause butter to absorb odors from your freezer, which can negatively impact flavor. Also, note that butter that has been frozen for a long time may be slightly more crumbly or harder when first thawed. This is temporary and doesn’t affect how it cooks or tastes.
How Do You Thaw Frozen Butter?
Thawing butter is easy and depends on how quickly you need it:
- For Slow Thawing: Move the butter from the freezer to the refrigerator and let it thaw overnight. This is the best method to maintain consistency and flavor.
- For Quick Thawing: Slice off the amount you need and let it sit at room temperature for about 30 minutes. This works well for spreading on toast or softening butter for baking.
- For Baking: Some recipes call for cold or frozen butter, so you can often use it straight from the freezer, especially for pastries, biscuits, or pie dough.
- Avoid Microwaving: Microwaving can cause butter to melt unevenly, especially if you need it to remain solid or softened. If you must use a microwave, do so in short increments at low power, checking often.
Can Butter Go Bad in the Freezer?
Technically, butter is a dairy product and can go bad if not stored correctly, even in the freezer. While freezing slows down spoilage, it doesn’t completely stop it. Signs that butter may have gone bad include:
- A sour or rancid smell
- Discoloration (especially a darker yellow or grayish color)
- Crumbly or dry texture
- Off or stale taste
To prevent this:
- Freeze butter when it’s fresh, not near its expiration date
- Keep it tightly sealed
- Use it within the recommended timeframes
When in doubt, trust your gut. If the butter smells or tastes off after thawing, throw it out.
Where to Buy High-Quality Butter Near You
So yes, you can freeze butter! By freezing butter, you can extend its shelf life and always have rich, flavorful butter on hand for cooking, baking, and spreading on your favorite bread. If you’re going to buy and freeze butter, why not buy the best?
At Minerva Dairy, we make butter using milk from pasture-raised cows with a rich, creamy texture that can hold up in the freezer for up to 1 year when stored properly. We sell the following butter products in 8-oz cartons or 2-lb rolls:
You can stock up and freeze your favorites so you’re never without the good stuff. Find Minerva Dairy butter near you using our online store locator, or shop online via Instacart or Goldbelly. Contact us today if you would like to learn more about our butter!
