Living with a roommate means dealing with different habits, from cleaning routines to food storage preferences. One common debate? Whether or not butter should be left out on the counter. My roommate insists on doing so because “that’s how they’ve always done it,” but I can’t bring myself to use it, which frustrates her. So, is leaving butter at room temperature actually safe, or am I right to be skeptical?
Does Butter Need to Be Refrigerated?
Butter is made from cream and contains high fat and low water content, making it less susceptible to bacterial growth compared to other dairy products. However, whether it should be left out depends on a few key factors:
1. The Type of Butter Matters
🧈 Salted Butter: Salt acts as a preservative, slowing the growth of bacteria. This type of butter can typically sit out safely for a few days to a couple of weeks, as long as the room temperature stays below 70°F (21°C).
🧈 Unsalted Butter: Without the added protection of salt, unsalted butter should be refrigerated and only left out for a day or two at most.
2. Room Temperature Plays a Role
If your kitchen is warm or humid, butter can turn rancid more quickly, especially in summer. Rancid butter may not necessarily make you sick, but it can develop an off taste and smell.
3. Proper Storage is Key
If your roommate insists on keeping butter out, it should be stored in:
✅ A butter dish with a lid to protect it from dust and bacteria.
✅ A ceramic butter keeper (also called a butter bell) that submerges the butter in water to create an airtight seal.
❌ Avoid storing it on a plate uncovered, as exposure to air and light can cause oxidation, leading to spoilage.
What Happens If Butter Goes Bad?
Spoiled butter will:
🚫 Have a sour or rancid smell
🚫 Develop a strange taste
🚫 Appear discolored or moldy (though rare)
Eating rancid butter won’t necessarily make you sick, but it may cause mild digestive discomfort and certainly won’t taste good!
Should You Use the Counter Butter?
