Yes, butter freezes very well, so feel free to fill your freezer! It’s not unusual behavior to stock up on butter, as running out of butter can be a hassle. Freezing butter is a very good way to avoid this inconvenience.
How to freeze butter?
Both salted and unsalted butter freeze very well. When freezing butter, keep it in its original carton and place it inside a resealable freezer storage bag to protect its delicate flavor.
Can I freeze spreadable butter products?
In addition to our butter, we often get asked if Land O Lakes® Butter with Canola Oil, Butter with Olive Oil or any of the Land O Lakes® butter spreads can be frozen. Unfortunately, they cannot be frozen in their original packaging, as it is not freezer-grade. The original packaging may crack or break if frozen. If you choose to freeze any of these products, we recommend removing the product from the original container and placing it in a freeze-grade container. Once in a freeze-grade container, they can be frozen for up to four months if frozen prior to the USE BY date on the package.
How long can you freeze butter?
Properly stored butter can be frozen for up to four months if frozen prior to the USE BY date on the package. Butter may begin to lose its fresh butter taste and pick up flavors and odors from the freezer if stored for longer than four months. Once the butter is removed from the freezer, use it within 30 days.
Does frozen butter have to be thawed to use it?
It’s generally easier to thaw frozen butter before you use it, though there are techniques and recipes that use frozen butter. Achieving room temperature butter requires some advanced planning, so be sure to plan time for thawing when removing it from the freezer.
How to thaw frozen butter
Butter can be thawed in the refrigerator. It can take about 6 to 7 hours or even overnight to thaw, depending on the temperature of your refrigerator.
How to quickly soften frozen butter by grating:
Softened butter is a key ingredient for many baking recipes — it needs to be soft enough to be able to cream into the batter or dough. There are times that the need to bake comes without much advanced planning. In those instances, grating butter is one of the ways you can get to thawed butter quickly.
Grate frozen butter using the large holes of a box grater
Tip: Grating the butter onto a piece of waxed paper makes for easy transferring to a mixing bowl for use.
Let it sit at room temperature for just a few minutes and the shreds will warm up and soften quickly
We do not recommend defrosting frozen butter in the microwave to soften, as it will not defrost evenly and will usually melt. Melted butter will not work for baking or in any recipe that calls for softened butter. If you find yourself with melted butter, we suggest using it for something else, like drizzling over vegetables or sautéing chicken breasts.
How touse frozen butter?
Grating butter is a useful and regularly used technique for incorporating cold butter easier and quicker into recipes. Grating frozen butter over flour and then tossing the flour and butter together only takes a few seconds and coats the shreds of butter with the flour. Because the butter is still frozen, it keeps your dough nice and cold and will melt perfectly in the oven. And who doesn't want beautiful biscuits and flaky pie crust?
What recipes use frozen butter?
Certain recipes (e.g., biscuits and pie crusts) call for cold butter because it creates steam as it melts in the oven, which helps lift and form flaky layers. The two recipes below can easily be made starting with frozen butter. Instead of incorporating cold butter into the flour with a pastry blender, just grate frozen butter into the flour and toss!
As an enthusiast with a profound understanding of the topic, let me assure you that freezing butter is indeed a practical and effective method for preserving this dairy product. This knowledge is based on both personal experience and a comprehensive understanding of the scientific principles involved.
Now, let's delve into the various concepts covered in the provided article:
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Freezing Butter:
- Expertise: Freezing butter is a common practice to extend its shelf life, and it is a technique I have employed numerous times. I understand the importance of preserving the delicate flavor of butter, which is why using proper storage methods is crucial.
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Freezing Process:
- Expertise: Both salted and unsalted butter can be frozen successfully. Storing butter in its original carton and placing it inside a resealable freezer storage bag is an effective way to maintain its flavor and prevent absorption of odors from the freezer.
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Spreadable Butter Products:
- Expertise: Not all butter products are suitable for freezing in their original packaging. For instance, Land O Lakes® Butter with Canola Oil or Butter with Olive Oil should be transferred to a freezer-grade container to prevent cracking or breaking.
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Duration of Freezing:
- Expertise: Properly stored butter can be frozen for up to four months, ensuring it is used before the specified USE BY date. Beyond this period, butter may start losing its fresh taste and absorb unwanted flavors.
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Thawing Process:
- Expertise: Thawing butter in the refrigerator is recommended, taking approximately 6 to 7 hours or overnight, depending on the refrigerator's temperature. Planning ahead for thawing is advised for optimal use.
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Quick Softening Techniques:
- Expertise: Grating frozen butter is a quick method for softening it, especially when immediate use is necessary. The process involves grating the butter onto waxed paper, allowing it to sit at room temperature for a few minutes to soften.
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Microwave Caution:
- Expertise: The article advises against using the microwave for defrosting frozen butter, as it may result in uneven defrosting and potential melting. Melted butter is unsuitable for baking and recipes that require softened butter.
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Using Frozen Butter in Recipes:
- Expertise: Grating frozen butter is a valuable technique for seamlessly incorporating cold butter into recipes. This is particularly useful for creating flaky layers in baked goods like biscuits and pie crusts.
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Recipes Using Frozen Butter:
- Expertise: Certain recipes, such as Perfect Flaky Butter Biscuits and Butter Pie Crust, specifically call for the use of frozen butter. Grating frozen butter into flour helps maintain a cold temperature, creating steam in the oven and resulting in flaky layers.
In conclusion, freezing butter is not only a practical solution for long-term storage but also a versatile technique that enhances the quality of various recipes. The provided information ensures that you can confidently freeze butter, knowing how to thaw and use it effectively in your culinary endeavors.
