TempoLife › Features › How long food keeps: fridge, freezer and pantry › butter
Butter shelf life
Butter keeps 1-3 months in the fridge, 6-9 months in the freezer. Spoilage signs and the safe-handling notes, from the USDA Cold Food Storage Chart.
Storage at a glance
| Where | How long |
|---|---|
| Fridge (0-4 °C) | 1-3 months |
| Freezer (-18 °C) | 6-9 months |
Signs it has gone off
Rancid smell, yellowed surface, off taste.
Safe handling
Salted butter keeps longer than unsalted; freeze what you will not use within a month.
Storage times are guidance, not a guarantee. If it looks or smells wrong, do not taste it to check.
Source: USDA Cold Food Storage Chart / FDA-USDA FoodKeeper · checked 2026-09-03
Nutrition beside the shelf life
See Butter nutrition: 717 kcal, 0.9 g protein, 0.1 g carbs and 81.1 g fat per 100 g.
Frequently asked questions
How long does butter last in the fridge?
1-3 months — stored sealed, at 4 C or below.
Can you freeze butter?
Yes — about 6-9 months for quality. Frozen at a constant -18 C it stays safe longer; the time is about taste and texture.
How do you know when butter has gone off?
Rancid smell, yellowed surface, off taste. Trust the signs over any date.
Milk (opened)
Fridge: 5-7 days · freezer: 1-3 months
Yogurt (opened)
Fridge: 1-2 weeks · freezer: 1-2 months
Hard cheese, cheddar type (opened)
Fridge: 3-4 weeks · freezer: 6 months
Soft cheese, brie type (opened)
Fridge: 1 week · freezer: —
Cream cheese (opened)
Fridge: 2 weeks · freezer: —
Cottage cheese (opened)
Fridge: 1 week · freezer: —
Know the shelf life, plan the week
TempoLife puts the food plan next to your goals, so what you bought gets eaten, not binned.