Learn how to freeze butter. You can actually freeze sticks or tubs of butter. Start doing this today and save time and money.
Can you freeze butter?
Yes! We do this all the time and you should too. Butter (opened or unopened) can be kept in the refrigerator for one to three months. Freezing butter is a great option when you haven’t used it all.
This is also great when you spot a sale. You know I like to save money. If you are not utilizing your freezer, you are missing out. You might also want to learn how to freeze cookies for baking .
The next time you spot a good sale on butter, stock up and freeze it. The savings will add up and you will always have butter at a great price.
Keep reading to see how easy it is.
Does freezing butter ruin it?
Surprisingly it does not ruin it. Now, some people say the texture changes slightly after frozen, but I have had nothing but great successes with freezing butter.
It’s a must try. Once you try it, you will see how easy it is. Even if your butter is frozen, you can melt butter as well. Just thaw frozen butter and melt it.
How long can you freeze butter:
You can freeze it up to 6 months. Any longer than that and the butter can take on the taste and odors of other things in the freezer. It is best used within 6 months. Some have said that you can freeze up to 12 months.
We love thawed butter so it is never hard to use it during that time frame. We love that it increases the shelf life of butter.
This works on unsalted butter and salted butter.
Let’s learn how to freeze butter!
It is so easy and you will save money.
How to freeze sticks of butter:
- First, remove the sticks from the box. Leave the sticks of butter in the original packaging and put in a freezer safe bag to prevent freezer burn.
- You can also wrap in aluminum foil or plastic wrap.
- Make sure to try to get out the air from the plastic bag.
- Lastly, put in the freezer. Easy!
When you are ready to use the fresh butter, just grab from the freezer and put in the fridge to thaw. Or you can actually use a cheese grater and grate frozen butter. Grated butter is so easy to do. Frozen butter is needed to make a pie crust.
It is seriously so easy because you don’t need any special prep or anything.
How to freeze tubs of butter:
Keep the cold butter in the tub or container it came in. You can freeze it just like that!
I do recommend putting the tub in a freezer bag though. It will help to ensure the butter stays fresh.
Lastly, freeze until ready to enjoy. It is that simple.
So… next time you can some cheap butter -stock up and freeze. Your only regret will be that you didn’t start sooner.
Never waste butter again or pass up a good sale. Now, you know how to simple it is to do.
Try one of our homemade Butter recipes
See more great freezer tips here, and download our free freezer cooking guide.
Print all that you need to know about freezing butter below:
How to freeze butter
Ingredients
- Butter
- Freezer Bag
Instructions
- Keep the butter in it’s original package. I remove it from the box but leave the wrapping on the stick of butter.
- Place the butter in the freezer bag, remove as much air as possible and place in the bag in the freezer.
- You can store the butter in the freezer for 6 months.
- Defrost the butter in the refrigerator when needed.
Notes
More freezer tips:
- Freezer tip: how to freeze a loaf of bread
- How to freeze milk
- How to freeze rice
- Can you freeze cheese?
- Freezer tip: Can you freeze tortillas
- How to freeze pasta
I seriously LOVE this tip, it was my first “freezer” stock-up! And I’ve never noticed a change in texture!
Did you freeze real butter? Or Country Crock spread (as pictured)? Country Crock spread is a high water content margarine, which is very different from the dairy product butter. Just wondering, wanted to make sure I was following your directions correctly. Thanks!
I think you can freeze both actually.
During COVID, they sent boxes home with the kids and it had dairy in it, I was lucky to have found this post on how to freeze butter. BIG help
I love grating frozen butter for use in biscuits and other baked items, it is so nice!
My grandmother For about 60 years always froze butter. She’s wrap the car on in newspaper and then in plastic bag. Newspaper absorbs any odors. It works.
Did I under stand u right Carrie. The tub of butter u can leave for a long while if needed. ?
For the sticks take out of box put n freezer bag up to 6 months.
I freeze butter sticks all the time and never take it out of original box or wrappers, just drop in a plastic freezer bag. Make sure to suck out as much air as possible. I have it in there as long as 1yr-18 months, never had any bad taste or texture problem.
I haven’t tried this yet but that’s a great idea. Thanks for sharing!
Yes, that’s correct.
Oh wow! I haven’t tried that – thanks for sharing!
Great to hear – thanks for sharing!