Can You Freeze Butter?

Whoa, Nelly! Did you see a killer deal on butter at the grocery store? Stock up and freeze butter so that you always have it when you need it — at a price you want to pay.

this …

I don’t know about you, but I love butter. It’s a comfort food.

Seriously. Melted butter on a slice of hot sourdough bread? Creamy butter adding to the flavor and texture of homemade cream cheese frosting? Butter creating the flaky layers in buttermilk biscuits?

Yep. Butter makes everything better… ergo, it’s a Grocery Staple you need to keep around.

However, I don’t like paying regular market price when I need butter for a recipe. In my neck of the woods, this can reach $5 to 6/pound. No thank you, ma’am.

If you’d like to make sure your butter needs are met, stock up whenever you see a sale and freeze butter for later. 

Why Do This

You can avoid food waste. Going out of town? Not sure you’ll use the whole package of butter you bought? No problem. You can freeze butter to preserve it and extend its shelf life a little longer.

You can stock up on sales. As mentioned previously, knowing you can freeze butter for a later use means you can load up next time you see a sale. My target price in late 2024 is $3/pound. When I see that price, I load my freezer.

You’ll run out less frequently. When you keep a stash of butter on ice, you’ll be less likely to run out which means you’ll be less likely to make last minute trips to the store. We know those trips always cost more than you expect them to.

You can prep specialty butters to use later. Honey butter, garlic butter, and Herb Butter for Fish or Chicken all add a special touch to your recipes. Feel free to make a large batch, knowing you can freeze the extra compound butter for a later date.

Ingredients

You can freeze dairy butter, margarine, or plant-based spreads. It doesn’t matter what kind, whipped or stick, both freeze the same. 

Keep in mind that if a stick or tub is too large for you to use in a short amount of time, you may want to slice or portion it into smaller sizes prior to freezing.

This is really up to you. Thawed butter is good for several weeks under refrigeration.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Here’s how to do it:

Butter Sticks to Use for Recipes

If you’re freezing butter to use in recipes later, simply tuck the butter in its original packaging into the freezer. Yep, really.

You can do this with unsalted or salted butter

Some manufacturers recommend wrapping the box in foil or placing it in a freezer bag prior to freezing, but I’ve never had an issue with odors or freezer burn. Your mileage may vary.

Compound Butter

If you’re freezing compound butter, prepare it according to the recipe and then either: 

• Mound the soft butter onto a sheet of plastic wrap and roll up in a log shape. Place this in a labeled ziptop bag in the freezer.
• Spoon the softened butter into a small freezer-safe container with a lid, seal well, and freeze.

FAQs

Is it safe to freeze butter?

Yes, it’s safe to freeze butter. Butter is good in the refrigerator for up to 3 months. You can extend the life of your purchase by freezing butter for later use.

How long can you freeze butter?

It’s recommended to freeze butter for five to nine months, the shorter time being for unsalted butter. Compound butters should be used within 2-3 months of freezing.

How do you defrost frozen butter?

Transfer the cold butter sticks to the refrigerator to thaw.

Butter Recipes to Try

This post was originally published on January 30, 2022. It has been updated for content and clarity.