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? ›

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.

How long is compound butter good for 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.

How long will butter last in the refrigerator? ›

"This is mitigated by refrigerating butter and making sure it is well wrapped." In general, butter kept in the fridge will last one to three months, while butter stored in the freezer will last up to a year.

How long is garlic compound butter good for? ›

How long is compound butter good for? This garlic herb compound butter is good for about a week in the fridge and that is because it has fresh herbs and raw garlic. A compound butter that uses all dry ingredients will be good for about 2 weeks in the fridge.

How to tell if compound butter is bad? ›

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.

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.

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.

Why does homemade butter not last as long? ›

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 do you increase the shelf life of homemade butter? ›

Unsalted butter, especially when whipped, contains more water; so, it spoils faster compared to salted butter. I recommend wrapping butter in either foil or plastic before storing it in the freezer to keep it fresh for longer periods. By doing so, I have found that the butter may remain well-preserved!

How to tell when butter has gone bad? ›

Spoiled butter will have a sour, bitter taste, and may also change in color and give off a subtle, unpleasant odor. It may also taste like the other foods in your refrigerator, as it quickly absorbs the flavors of any strong-smelling ingredients in its vicinity.

Is it better to keep butter in the fridge or room temperature? ›

Butter and margarine are safe at room temperature. However, if butter is left out at room temperature for several days, the flavor can turn rancid so it's best to leave out whatever you can use within a day or two.

What does rancid butter taste like? ›

Many of the oxidation pathways are not entirely understood. Salted butter was developed to prevent spoilage, and to mask the taste of rancid butter. A sour-bitter taste is identifiable with rancidity (i.e. soapy, baby-vomit, blue cheese). Rancid butter becomes yellow to brown and the flavor becomes harsh.

How long can I keep compound butter 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 to preserve compound butter? ›

A quick and easy way to add flavor to food. Creating flavored butters is a quick and easy way to add a burst of flavor to your food. Compound butter can be kept refrigerated for several days. They can also be frozen for several months by being wrapped in plastic wrap and stored in plastic freezer bags.

How to prevent botulism in garlic confit? ›

Use Low-Temperature Cooking: The key to safe garlic confit is to cook it at a low temperature. The oil should never reach a temperature below 250°F (121°C) to ensure that any potential botulinum spores are killed during the cooking process. If you follow the cooking instructions in this recipe, you will be alright.

Does powdered butter go bad? ›

Butter powder should be stored in an airtight container in a cool, dry place. Keep it away from moisture, as this can cause it to clump or spoil. If stored properly, powdered butter can last for up to a year.

Does butter go bad after 2 years? ›

Refrigerated butter should last up to a month past the printed date if it's unopened. If the butter has been opened, it can last up to two weeks past that printed date. If you're storing the butter longer term, unopened butter stored in the freezer can last anywhere from nine months to a year past the date.

Where do you store compound butter? ›

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.

Can you eat expired butter in the fridge? ›

If you've gone to use butter and found it to be past its expiration date, don't fret. Odds are, this butter is probably safe to consume, provided you keep an eye out for signs of spoilage. While many dairy products have a short shelf life, butter is an exception to this rule. This is because of its composition.

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