Butter can safely sit out at room temperature for about 1 to 2 days. The USDA recommends not leaving salted, pasteurized butter out for more than this time frame because it will eventually go rancid, which affects flavor and texture
. Land O'Lakes and other experts advise not to leave butter out for more than 4 hours to maintain optimal flavor and quality, though butter left out longer than that is unlikely to cause foodborne illness immediately
. Butter's high fat content and low water activity make it less prone to bacterial growth compared to other dairy products, especially if salted
. For best storage:
- Keep butter in a covered dish or butter crock to protect it from contaminants and odors.
- Store butter away from direct sunlight and heat sources.
- Refrigerate butter when not in use to prolong shelf life (up to 1-2 months refrigerated, 6-9 months frozen)
If you want softened butter for spreading or baking, leaving it out for 30 to 60 minutes before use is sufficient and safe
. In summary, butter can be left out for 1 to 2 days safely, but for best quality and flavor, it’s recommended to limit room temperature exposure to a few hours and refrigerate when not in use.
