You bought in bulk or found a sale
You won’t use all your butter quickly
You want to reduce kitchen waste
How Long Can Butter Stay in the Freezer?
At 0 °F (−18 °C) or lower—the standard home freezer temperature—butter can last far longer than in the fridge:
Salted butter: Up to 12 months
Unsalted butter: Around 6–9 months
Salt acts as a mild preservative, which is why salted butter often freezes slightly better.
Tip: Freeze butter before its quality starts to decline—ideally before the printed “use by” date. Freezing halts spoilage but doesn’t sterilize the butter.
How to Freeze Butter Properly
Proper packaging is key to preserving flavor, texture, and preventing freezer burn:
Keep it wrapped: Leave butter in its original packaging and add an extra layer of plastic wrap, foil, or a freezer-safe bag.
Use airtight barriers: For opened butter, wrap in parchment paper and place in a heavy-duty freezer bag or vacuum-sealed package.
Label and date: Mark the freezing date so you know how long it’s stored.
Proper packaging is especially important if you plan to use the butter in baking or as a spread later.
Using Frozen Butter
Frozen butter can be used in different ways depending on your needs:
