Can You Freeze Butter? How Long It Keeps, How to Wrap and Thaw It

Yes, you can freeze butter. Well-wrapped butter keeps its quality in the freezer for several months and works in nearly any baking recipe once it has thawed in the refrigerator. The main risks are freezer odors and freezer burn, and both are easy to prevent with good wrapping.

How long frozen butter keeps

Butter is mostly fat, so it freezes well. Salted butter generally holds its quality longer than unsalted butter, because salt acts as a mild preservative. As a rule of thumb, aim to use butter within about 6 to 9 months of freezing for the best flavor. It stays safe to eat beyond that if the freezer stays at 0°F (-18°C), but the taste may slowly dull or pick up off flavors.

Refrigerator: about 1 to 3 months for most packaged butter, or follow the date printed on the package.
Freezer: about 6 to 9 months for best quality.

Write the freezing date on the wrapper so you do not have to guess later.

How to wrap butter for the freezer

Butter absorbs smells from nearby food very easily, so wrapping matters more than anything else. Fish, onions and garlic in the same freezer can leave their flavor in unprotected butter.

Keep the original wrapper on. Store-bought butter sticks are wrapped in paper or foil-lined paper designed to protect them.
Add a second layer. Wrap the sticks tightly in plastic wrap or aluminum foil, pressing out the air.
Place in a freezer bag or airtight container. Squeeze out as much air as you can and seal it.
Label it. Note the date and whether the butter is salted or unsalted.
Store it away from strong-smelling foods, ideally toward the back where the temperature stays steadier.

If you buy butter in a block or in bulk, cut it into 1/2 cup (113 g) or 1 cup (227 g) portions before freezing so you can thaw only what you need.

Can you freeze butter more than once?

It is better not to. Thawing and refreezing can change the texture and invite condensation, which speeds up flavor loss. If you only need part of a block, portion it before the first freeze.

How to thaw butter for baking

The best method is also the easiest: move the butter from the freezer to the refrigerator the night before you need it. A stick usually thaws in several hours, and a larger block may take overnight or longer. Leave it in its wrapping while it thaws so it does not absorb refrigerator odors.

For pie crust, biscuits and scones: you want cold butter. Use it straight from the refrigerator after thawing, or grate it while still frozen. Our guide to all-butter pie crust explains why cold butter gives flakier results.
For cookies and cakes that call for creaming: let the thawed butter sit at room temperature until it is softened but still cool to the touch, usually 30 to 60 minutes. It should dent when pressed and not look shiny or greasy.
For melted butter: you can melt it straight from frozen in a saucepan over low heat or in short bursts in the microwave.

Quick thawing tips and mistakes to avoid

Do not microwave butter on high to soften it. It melts unevenly and may become oily, which affects how cakes and cookies rise and spread.
Do not leave butter on the counter for hours to thaw. Dairy products should not sit at room temperature for long periods.
If thawed butter looks slightly crumbly or separated, it is usually fine for melting or for recipes such as quick breads and muffins, but it may cream less smoothly.
Discard butter that smells sour, rancid or like the food next to it in the freezer.

Does frozen butter change how baked goods turn out?

When it is thawed properly, frozen butter performs very much like fresh butter in most recipes. Butter holds a small amount of water, so very large temperature swings can make it slightly less smooth when creamed. For the most delicate recipes, such as buttercream, choose butter that has been frozen once and thawed gently in the refrigerator.

If you run out and cannot wait for butter to thaw, check our list of butter substitutes for baking, though results will differ from the original recipe. You can also use the cups to grams converter to weigh out the portion you need directly from the block.

Quick answers

Can you freeze butter in its original packaging?

You can, but add a layer of plastic wrap, foil or a freezer bag. The original paper wrapper alone does not block odors well enough for long storage.

Can you freeze both salted and unsalted butter?

Yes. Both freeze well. Unsalted butter is a little more delicate, so use it a bit sooner if you can.

Can you bake with butter straight from the freezer?

Sometimes. Grated frozen butter works in pastry, biscuits and scones. For creaming, thaw it first so it softens evenly.

How can you tell if frozen butter has gone bad?

Look for a sour or stale smell, an off color, or a dry, discolored surface. When in doubt, throw it out.