Kerrygold's Expert Tips on the Best Way to Store Butter

There's nothing quite like spreading perfectly softened butter on your favorite bread. Whether you're using it for spreading or baking, butter with a higher butterfat content delivers a richer taste. European-style butter, like Kerrygold, has between 82-90% butterfat due to longer churning, making it ideal for recipes where the butter flavor is essential, such as buttery croissants or creamy mashed potatoes.

Once you've got your hands on some premium butter, what's the best way to keep it fresh? Since European butter can cost twice as much as its American counterpart, proper storage is crucial. You may have noticed butter crocks in kitchens instead of refrigerators on popular British shows. We can confirm that leaving butter out for up to four hours is fine—but can premium butter stay fresh on your counter longer?

How Long Can You Keep Kerrygold Butter on the Counter?

We reached out to Kerrygold for their expert advice on storing butter, and the answer was unexpected. Similar to other premium brands like Land O’ Lakes, Kerrygold recommends keeping butter refrigerated and not leaving it out for more than four hours. This applies to both salted and unsalted varieties, as well as their cheeses, according to their official guidelines.

“Depending on factors like temperature, light, and odor, leaving your Kerrygold product out for extended periods could negatively affect its quality and freshness,” warns a Kerrygold USA spokesperson.

Keeping butter at room temperature can promote bacterial growth, as it falls within the temperature danger zone of 40 to 140 degrees F (5 to 60 degrees C). Light and heat accelerate spoilage, so it's best to store butter in a non-transparent crock or container.

Although both the FDA and USDA strongly advise refrigerating butter to avoid it turning rancid, using a butter crock or bell may be a good alternative for those who prefer not to store butter in the fridge but still want to preserve its freshness.

“Ultimately, it’s up to the individual to decide if they want to consume Kerrygold after leaving it out for more than four hours, but we do not recommend doing so,” the spokesperson concludes.