How to store butter correctly and for how long in the refrigerator and freezer

Butter is a frequent guest in our kitchen. It is tasty and healthy if you choose a quality product and store it properly. To keep the oil fresh longer, it should be kept in the refrigerator or freezer. But there are situations when this is not possible. In this case, you can also extend the life of the product if you know some secrets. Let's talk in more detail about each storage method.

How to store in the refrigerator

Freezer storage rules

How to store without refrigeration

How to restore freshness to oil

Signs of quality oil

GOST requirements

In GOST 32261-2013 “Butter. Technical Specifications" you can find information about what quality the product should be, under what conditions it should be stored and transported. As stated in the document, shelf life varies depending on the composition, type of packaging and temperature.

Standard portioned pieces in foil packaging according to GOST are stored for up to 15 days at a temperature of 2 to 5 degrees above zero - such conditions are maintained by refrigerators. The product is stored wrapped in parchment for the same amount of time. As for the freezer, when the temperature drops to minus 18 degrees, the shelf life increases to 120 days, provided there is packaging made of foil, parchment or polymer materials.

Factors that affect shelf life

How long the nutritional and beneficial properties of the oil will remain depends on the following conditions:

1. Temperature . The warmer it is, the faster the expiration date expires.
2. Exposure to sunlight . Do not allow the oil to be exposed to direct sunlight.
3. Storage container . A correctly selected container allows you to slow down the oxidation process, extending the storage period.
4. Storage method . In room conditions it spoils very quickly; it lasts the longest in the freezer.
5. Treatment . By adding certain ingredients you can significantly increase the shelf life, but usually the taste also changes.

How to store it correctly

Most housewives will answer the question about the ideal place to store butter absolutely correctly - this tasty and healthy dairy product should be kept in the refrigerator. However, it is necessary to take into account a number of nuances:

• a shelf on the door is not the most suitable place, since the temperature will constantly change when opening and closing the refrigerator;
• the vegetable drawer at the bottom of the appliance will allow the product to remain soft enough to be conveniently spread on sandwiches;
• The coolest place in the refrigerator will maximize shelf life.

In manufacturer's packaging

Most often, the manufacturer uses foil as packaging for portioned bars. In this case, the purchase can be moved to the home refrigerator in the same form in which it was on the store shelf. This also applies to situations where the manufacturer has chosen parchment, a plastic box or other opaque container for packaging. Goods purchased in bulk, wrapped in plastic film, must be transferred to an oil can or wrapped in a suitable material.

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In the oil can

When choosing an oiler, it is better to give preference to materials such as porcelain and stainless steel. If the container is made of plastic, then its walls will be permeable to the odors of surrounding products. In addition, it may be difficult to wash.

The basic requirements for a container for storing butter are as follows:

• opaque walls;
• tight-fitting lid.

In a properly selected butter dish or container suitable for its characteristics, butter can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 weeks.

In foil

To prevent the delicate taste from spoiling, foil is a great packaging option. A product wrapped in this material will not lose its properties for up to 20 days.

In parchment paper

Paper is a breathable material, so the product will not suffocate. At the same time, the parchment will protect against weathering. For storage, the piece is wrapped in 2 layers. The quality will last up to 10 days.

Fruit pies

The optimal time to store fruit pies at room temperature is about two days. Apple and other fruit pies do not need to be refrigerated immediately after making them. Instead, leave them on the counter or in the pantry for about two days. After this, the cake should be eaten within four to five days (maximum) to avoid bacterial growth.

Can it be stored in the freezer?

An excellent characteristic of the product is that it tolerates freezing remarkably well. It is advisable to cut a large piece into portions - this way there will be no need to defrost it completely in order to cut off the part required by volume. The butter is wrapped in several layers of parchment paper and then in cellophane. This will prevent aromas from being absorbed from nearby foods such as meat and fish.

The shelf life in the freezer is given in the table below.

If the oil sits for longer, it will negatively affect the taste characteristics.

Leftover cooked food

The optimal time spent outside the refrigerator for leftover freshly prepared food is about two hours. If you are distracted and leave food for more than two hours after you have prepared it, you should not eat it. Otherwise, you risk getting sick due to improper storage of perishable foods. If the ambient temperature exceeds 30 degrees, food should not be left outside the refrigerator for more than an hour.

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How to store without refrigeration

At room temperature, butter will begin to deteriorate within two days. However, there are several ways to help maintain freshness a little longer.

Water

The simplest and yet most effective method is to place a piece of butter in a bowl of cold water and place it in the coolest place in the house. The method works even in the warm season. There is another storage option using liquid. The product is placed in a glass jar. Place it in a pan of water so that the liquid reaches the middle of the container. A cotton cloth, previously moistened and well wrung out, is placed on top of the jar. The ends of the flap should fall into the water.

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Salt

To keep butter fresh you will need:

• salt - 20 g;
• water - 1 liter;
• parchment paper;
• deep dishes (it is best to take enamel or glass).

The piece is pre-cut into portions weighing 150-200 g, and each part is wrapped in parchment. For these purposes, baking paper is suitable, which every housewife can find. The cubes are placed in a pan or jar and filled with cool water with salt dissolved in it. The fluid must be changed daily. The method works better if you use oppression. This way the product will last up to three weeks.

Vinegar

Vinegar is an excellent preservative and will help extend shelf life at room temperature. To do this, you need to prepare a vinegar solution and pour it into a glass jar. Oil placed in such a liquid will last longer. For another method of storing a product using vinegar, you will need a cotton cloth. The flap is moistened in a solution prepared from water and table vinegar, after which it is wrapped in butter. The prepared product is placed in a pan or other container, sprinkled with sugar and covered with a lid.

When the fabric dries, it is necessary to re-moisten it with a vinegar solution.

Secrets of preparing second courses

• Old chicken will cook faster if, after it has been cooked for 20-30 minutes, it is immersed in cold water for 5-6 minutes.
• When they want to fry a chicken so that it is covered with a golden brown crust, the bird is rubbed inside and outside with cut lemon, then smeared with thick sour cream or mayonnaise on top.
• Cutlets, schnitzels and steaks will be soft and tender if you brush them with a whipped mixture of vinegar and vegetable oil 2 hours before frying. Do not add egg yolk to the minced meat; it will make the cutlets dry. Well, when frying the cutlets, turn them over more often, then they will retain the meat juice.

Signs of a spoiled product

If the butter begins to spoil, it is easy to notice. First of all, the color will change: the product will acquire a yellowish tint. Smell is another indicator of freshness. Spoiled oil smells damp. A stale product tastes bitter.

Substandard oil is dangerous for consumption because pathogenic microorganisms develop in it as a result of oxidation processes. If a spoiled product enters the human gastrointestinal tract, it can cause severe poisoning.

Resuscitation of spoiled oil

It is better to throw away rancid oil. However, there are situations when it becomes necessary to revive the product. There are several ways to help give spoiled oil a second life:

• If the outer surface turns yellow during storage, the discolored layer should be removed. This advice can be used when a change in color is the only sign of damage. After cutting off the top layer, you need to change the storage conditions for the remaining part.
• Spoiled butter can be melted. Subsequently, the product is used for cooking.
• The simplest way is to rinse with plain water. Afterwards, you need to salt the product and mix it with a small amount of carrot juice.
• A soda solution will help revive spoiled butter. The product is first treated with a liquid prepared from a teaspoon of soda dissolved in a glass of water, then washed and a pinch of salt is added.
• Stale butter can be mashed in milk. Then the product must be washed under running water.

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Note to the hostess

It so happened that they didn’t pay attention and left the butter on the table. As a result, under the influence of sunlight, it turned yellow on top. But all is not lost - the damaged piece can still be saved. In this situation, do this:

1. Carefully cut off the top layer of oil that has turned yellow.
2. The rest is placed in the pan. Heat it up and wait for the butter to melt.
3. When the oil boils, add 3 slices of fresh apple.
4. After a minute, remove the pan and leave the oil to cool. Remove the apple pieces.
5. When the oil has cooled, you need to put it in an oil dish and keep it out of the sun's rays.

And finally, some tips on how to distinguish real oil from a surrogate:

Good oil has a light, whitish or slightly yellow tint.

Real oil has virtually no odor, and it melts in your mouth.

When cut, a frozen product will break off into pieces, but not crumble.

A natural creamy product, after taking it out of the refrigerator, will never have droplets of moisture on the surface.

If you put a piece of butter in a heated frying pan, it will melt slowly, without crackling or unpleasant odor.

Why is it worth buying domestic oil? We recommend watching this video.