New Jersey: Land O Lakes Settles Dispute About Leaving Butter Out

This debate is as old as time. Can you … should you leave your butter out at room temperature … or, is it better — safer to keep it in the refrigerator?

The Creation of Butter is Likely 8,000 Years Old

According to Study.com

It is impossible to say when or where butter was first invented, though there is evidence that people have been making it for more than 8,000 years.

How You Handle Butter

Harry Hurley photo.

Is likely a byproduct of following what your parents and Grandparents did.

My wife Margie’s Mother and my Mother left the butter outside of the refrigerator in a butter dish, with a cover over it (see above).

We now do the same.

The Land O Lake Experts Have Settled The Debate — Is It Safe To Leave Your Butter Out Of The Refrigerator?

Harry Hurley photo.

According to the USDA, butter is safe to eat at room temperature. The USDA requires that all dairy products must be refrigerated, however, butter is not a dairy product.

It’s Safe To Eat At Room Temperature, But …

Land O Lakes says while it is safe to eat butter at room temperature, they recommend that you don’t always leave it out of the refrigerator. They say that it can cause it to spoil and even become rancid, which would significantly affect the butter flavor.

Land O Lakes confirms that eating butter at room temperature will likely not make you sick, however, the taste will likely be affected.

Land O Lakes Recommends

Keep your butter refrigerated, following the directions printed on the label.

When you need to soften butter for a recipe, you can still leave it on the counter and it will not go rancid.

Land O Lakes recommends that you take your butter out of the refrigerator about 30 to 60 minutes before you will use it. It will perfectly soften for spreading and for baking.

Land O Lakes recommends not leaving butter at room temperature for more than four hours and to always return any unused butter to the refrigerator.