To refrigerate or not to refrigerate?
Updated on June 26, 2023
In This Article
In This Article
- Does Peanut Butter Need to Be Refrigerated?
- Does Peanut Butter Go Bad?
Creamy, filling, and salty-sweet, peanut butter is a kitchen staple, perfect for quick snacks and on-the-go sandwiches. In order to preserve peanut butter for as long as possible, where should it be stored? Does peanut butter need to be refrigerated, or is the pantry good enough? We consulted food safety experts Jenna Brown and Ghaida Batarseh Havern, MS to find out how best to store peanut butter, and how to know when it’s past its prime.
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/refridgerate-peanut-butter-GettyImages-1094989396-bccb897b471a40518f82349ee7cb67e4.jpg "Do You Need to Refrigerate Peanut Butter? Experts Settle the Debate (1)")
Does Peanut Butter Need to Be Refrigerated?
Food safety experts Brown and Havern agree that commercial peanut butter doesn’t need to be refrigerated, and can be stored in the pantry without a problem. However, Brown notes that “refrigerating your peanut butter can help it last longer than three months, although it will be much harder to spread!” Moral of the story: You can refrigerate commercial peanut butter if you’d like, which will extend its shelf life, but it’s not necessary.
As for a homemade or ‘natural,’ preservative-free peanut butter, it may be helpful to refrigerate it so it will stay fresh for a longer period of time.
Does Peanut Butter Go Bad?
Yes, peanut butter can go bad, but it has a long shelf life. Just keep in mind that most store-bought peanut butters contain stabilizers that keep them fresh for longer, while ‘natural,’ preservative-free peanut butters tend to spoil more quickly. Once opened, the former lasts for about three months, and the latter for about one month.
As for the jar’s best-by date, Havern explains: “This date is more of a quality date rather than a food safety date. After the best-by date passes, it may still be safe to eat, however the quality of the product cannot be guaranteed.”
So, how do you know when it’s time to toss your jar of peanut butter in the trash? The most obvious sign that peanut butter has gone bad is a strong, rancid scent. Other signs of spoiled peanut butter include mold growth, and changes in its color or texture.
Was this page helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
Tell us why!
