Taking butter out of the fridge each time you need it can be very inconvenient if you need it to be soft. Trying to spread cold butter on a piece of bread is frustrating, which is why it’s beneficial to sometimes leave a piece of butter on the counter to soften up for later. But is this good for the butter, or does it make it unedible?
Understanding Butter
Butter is typically made with pasteurized milk, so it can last you a while in the fridge but also when not refrigerated. Butter doesn’t attract bacteria thanks to its fat content, because it has around 80% fat and very little water. This is good news for anyone who likes soft butter! As far as salted butter goes, you can worry even less about leaving it out at room temperature, because salt is also something bacteria doesn’t love.
What to Consider
When storing butter on the counter, make sure to use a butter dish with a lid to protect it from dust. You can keep it like that for up to two weeks at room temperature, and keep the butter dish away from sunlight to prevent fast spoiling. If you can, it’s a good idea to leave out only the amount you need for the week to avoid any risk.
