How long does butter last?

Checked 25 Oct 20265 official publishers, 6 sources

Butter: 1-2 months in the fridge, 6-9 months in the freezer for best quality and 1-2 days on the counter.

Storage times for butter by state and place
State	Counter	Fridge 40 °F	Freezer 0 °F
Butter	1-2 days FoodKeeper Extension	1-2 months FoodKeeper Extension Extension	6-9 months best quality FoodKeeper Extension Extension Extension Sources disagree: 12 months Extension

Times assume continuous refrigeration at 40 °F or below. When in doubt, throw it out. Freezer times are for quality: “Because freezing 0° F (-18° C) keeps food safe indefinitely, the following recommended storage times are for quality only.” FDA

Sources compared

Source	State	Counter	Fridge	Freezer
USDA FSIS (FoodKeeper) 2018	Butter	1-2 days	1-2 months	6-9 months
Nebraska Extension	Butter	1-2 days	1-2 months	6-9 months
National Center for Home Food Preservation (University of Georgia)	Butter	-	-	6-9 months
NDSU Extension	Butter	-	1-2 months	6-9 months
University of Illinois Extension	Butter	-	-	12 months

A dash means that source gives no time for that place.

Handling and freezing notes

May be left at room temperature for 1 - 2 days. FoodKeeper
“Wrap or cover tightly.” Extension
“Freeze only high quality butter made from pasteurized cream.” Extension
“wrap tightly in aluminum foil, transparent film or freezer paper, or seal in moisture-vapor resistant containers.” Extension
“Butter, Eggs, Milk and Cheese - Place the frozen product in the refrigerator to thaw. After thawing, it can be used as fresh.” Extension

What the sources say

FoodKeeper and the Nebraska Extension chart both say butter may be left at room temperature for 1 to 2 days.¹²

In the fridge both give 1 to 2 months, counted in FoodKeeper from the date of purchase.¹²

For the freezer, FoodKeeper, the Nebraska chart and the National Center for Home Food Preservation agree on 6 to 9 months, while the University of Illinois Extension lists a longer 12 months for butter or margarine.¹²³⁵

These freezer times are for quality, as both the Nebraska and Illinois charts state.²⁵

The National Center for Home Food Preservation advises freezing only high quality butter made from pasteurized cream, wrapped tightly in foil, film or freezer paper or sealed in moisture-vapor resistant containers.³

To use frozen butter, it says to thaw it in the refrigerator, after which it can be used as fresh.⁶

The NDSU Extension food storage guide, whose refrigerator column runs from 32 to 40 °F, also lists butter at 1 to 2 months in the fridge and 6 to 9 months in a 0 °F freezer.⁴

Its comment on the butter row is to wrap or cover it tightly, in line with the tight wrapping the National Center for Home Food Preservation asks for before freezing.⁴³

That puts FoodKeeper, Nebraska, NDSU and the National Center for Home Food Preservation on the same 6 to 9 month freezer figure, with Illinois the one longer time.¹⁴²³⁵

Rules that apply here

Freezing and refreezing Thawing safely Fridge and freezer temperature

Cream cheese Milk

Sources

USDA FoodKeeper data v128, product 1: Butter. USDA FSIS (FoodKeeper). Dated 2018-09-06. Checked 2026-10-24. Butter. Pantry: - (May be left at room temperature for 1 - 2 days.); DOP_Refrigerate: 1-2 Months; DOP_Freeze: 6-9 Months
Home Food Storage | UNL Food | Nebraska. Nebraska Extension. No date on the page. Checked 2026-10-24. Butter May be left at room temperature for 1 to 2 daysButter May be left at room temperature for 1 to 2 days 1 to 2 monthsButter May be left at room temperature for 1 to 2 days 1 to 2 months 6 to 9 months
Freezing Butter - National Center for Home Food Preservation. National Center for Home Food Preservation (University of Georgia). No date on the page. Checked 2026-10-24. Recommended freezer shelf life: 6 to 9 monthsFreeze only high quality butter made from pasteurized cream.wrap tightly in aluminum foil, transparent film or freezer paper, or seal in moisture-vapor resistant containers.
1 • FN579 • Food Storage GuideNDSU Extension. NDSU Extension. No date on the page. Checked 2026-10-25. Butter 1 to 2 monthsButter 1 to 2 months ... 6 to 9 monthsWrap or cover tightly.
Freezer Storage | Food Safety | Illinois Extension | Illinois. University of Illinois Extension. No date on the page. Checked 2026-10-24. Butter or Margarine 12 months
Thawing and Preparing Foods for Serving - National Center for Home Food Preservation. National Center for Home Food Preservation (University of Georgia). No date on the page. Checked 2026-10-24. Butter, Eggs, Milk and Cheese - Place the frozen product in the refrigerator to thaw. After thawing, it can be used as fresh.
REFRIGERATOR & FREEZER STORAGE CHART. FDA. Dated 2018-03-01. Checked 2026-10-24. Because freezing 0° F (-18° C) keeps food safe indefinitely, the following recommended storage times are for quality only.