Can You Freeze Butter?
Yes, you can freeze butter.
In fact, butter is one of the easiest dairy products to freeze because it keeps its flavour and texture remarkably well.
Whether you’ve stocked up while it’s on offer or simply won’t use it before the use-by date, freezing butter is a great way to make it last longer and reduce food waste.
In this guide, I’ll explain which types of butter freeze well, the best way to freeze them and answer some of the most common questions about freezing butter.
Can You Freeze Salted Butter?
Yes, salted butter freezes extremely well.
The salt acts as a natural preservative, but both salted and unsalted butter freeze equally well and there is very little difference between them once thawed.
Can You Freeze Unsalted Butter?
Yes, unsalted butter can also be frozen.
As with salted butter, wrap it well before freezing to protect it from freezer burn and prevent it from absorbing odours from other foods in the freezer.
Can You Freeze Real Butter?
Yes.
If by “real butter” you mean traditional dairy butter made from cream rather than a spread or margarine, it freezes exceptionally well.
It’s actually one of the best dairy products to freeze and you’ll notice very little difference after thawing.
Can You Freeze Tub Butter?
Yes, you can freeze butter in a tub.
Spreadable butter, butter blends and margarine can all usually be frozen too, although some products may separate slightly after thawing. If this happens, simply give the butter a quick stir before using.
If you’re freezing a large tub, it’s worth considering whether to divide it into smaller portions first so you only need to thaw what you’ll actually use.
Can You Freeze Lurpak Butter?
Yes.
Both Lurpak butter blocks and Lurpak Spreadable can be frozen.
The butter block freezes particularly well, while the spreadable version may soften slightly after thawing but is still perfectly usable.
Can You Freeze Vegan Butter?
Yes, vegan butter freezes very well.
Whether it’s used for spreading, baking or cooking, most vegan butters can be frozen for several months without any significant change in quality.
Can You Freeze Plant Butter?
Yes.
Plant-based butters freeze just as successfully as dairy butter and can be frozen ready to use another day.
How To Freeze Butter
Freezing butter couldn’t be much easier.
- Decide whether to freeze the whole block or divide it into smaller portions.
- Leave the butter in its original wrapper if possible, then wrap it in an extra layer of cling film, foil or place it inside a freezer bag or airtight container.
- Label and date the butter.
- Freeze until needed.
Personally, I nearly always double-wrap butter before freezing.
Butter can absorb odours from strong-smelling foods such as fish, onions and garlic, so the extra layer helps keep it tasting as fresh as possible.
How Long Can You Freeze Butter?
Butter is best used within 6 to 9 months of freezing.
Provided it remains continuously frozen, it will usually still be safe to eat after this, although the flavour may gradually begin to deteriorate and could end up with freezer burn.
How To Defrost Butter
The easiest way to defrost butter is overnight in the fridge.
If you’re in a hurry, you can leave it on the kitchen worktop for an hour or two, depending on the size of the block.
Only thaw as much as you need where possible, particularly if you’ve divided it into portions before freezing.
Can You Use Butter Straight From Frozen?
Yes.
Frozen butter is surprisingly useful and doesn’t always need thawing first.
It’s particularly handy for:
- Grating into pastry or scone mixtures.
- Rubbing into flour for baking.
- Melting straight into sauces.
- Adding to mashed potatoes or vegetables.
- Finishing casseroles and other hot dishes.
I often grate frozen butter straight from the freezer.
Simply unwrap one end of the block and grate what you need. Keeping the wrapper on the remaining butter gives you something to hold and stops the warmth from your hands softening it too quickly.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can You Freeze Butter In The Wrapper?
Yes.
Butter can be frozen in its original wrapper, although I always recommend adding an extra layer such as a freezer bag or foil. This helps prevent freezer burn and stops the butter absorbing smells from other foods.
Can You Freeze Butter Sticks?
Yes.
Butter sticks freeze just as well as butter blocks and can be thawed individually whenever you need one.
Can You Freeze Butter In A Tub?
Yes.
Plastic tubs are already freezer-safe, although you may prefer to divide larger tubs into smaller containers if you won’t use the whole tub after thawing.
Can You Freeze Butter For Baking?
Absolutely.
Frozen butter works perfectly in baking once thawed and can even be used straight from frozen in many recipes.
Can You Refreeze Butter?
Generally speaking, I wouldn’t recommend refreezing a block of butter once it has completely thawed.
However, if you’ve used previously frozen butter to make a cake, biscuits or another dish, it’s usually fine to freeze the finished recipe provided the other ingredients are suitable for freezing.
How Long Does Frozen Butter Last?
For the best quality, use frozen butter within 6 to 9 months.
Can You Grate Frozen Butter?
Yes.
In fact, frozen butter grates beautifully and is often easier to grate than chilled butter, especially when making pastry or scones.
Does Butter Change After Freezing?
Not very much.
Butter freezes exceptionally well and you shouldn’t notice any significant difference in flavour, colour or texture.
Occasionally you may notice a little condensation on the surface after thawing. Simply pat it dry with kitchen paper before using.
My Top Tips For Freezing Butter
- Freeze butter before the use-by date while it’s at its freshest.
- If the butter has been sitting out and softened, pop it back into the fridge to firm up before portioning and freezing.
- Double-wrap butter to help prevent it absorbing odours from other foods in the freezer.
- Label and date every pack. Trust me, no one wants to think they’re pulling cheese sauce out of the freezer only to discover it’s actually butter!
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