Can You Freeze Butter?
Yes, butter freezes excellently and maintains quality for up to 12 months when properly wrapped. Both salted and unsalted butter freeze well, though unsalted may have a slightly shorter optimal storage time. Frozen butter can be used directly in baking or thawed for spreading.
Key Takeaways
- Butter is one of the best dairy products for freezing because of its high fat content and low water content.
- Salted butter lasts slightly longer frozen (12 months) than unsalted (9 months) due to salt's preservative properties.
- Whipped butter can be frozen but may lose some of its airy texture after thawing.
Explanation
Butter is one of the best dairy products for freezing because of its high fat content and low water content. The texture and flavor remain nearly identical to fresh butter after thawing. This makes stocking up during sales practical.
Keep butter in its original packaging and add an extra layer of protection with aluminum foil or a freezer bag to prevent it from absorbing other flavors. Butter readily picks up odors from the freezer, so airtight wrapping is important.
For baking, frozen butter can often be used directly; cold butter is actually preferred for flaky pastries and pie crusts. For spreading, thaw butter in the refrigerator overnight or at room temperature for about an hour.
Things to Know
- Salted butter lasts slightly longer frozen (12 months) than unsalted (9 months) due to salt's preservative properties.
- Whipped butter can be frozen but may lose some of its airy texture after thawing.
- Cut butter into portions before freezing if you only need small amounts at a time.