Let’s address the common question conjured by butter dishes: “Can I leave my butter out at room temperature?” According to the USDA, butter can be left at room temperature for one to two days, and refrigerated for one to two months — although throngs of room temperature butter-obsessed subreddits might disagree. Exposure to air, light, and heat are what ultimately spoils butter, so you will want to be mindful of your kitchen’s temperature; and anything above 70 degrees Fahrenheit will usually give your butter a 48-hour lifespan. Butter, however, isn’t always considered a TCS (Time/temperature Control for Safety) food, because a lot of it, particularly in the United States, is pasteurized. Basically: Feel free to leave your butter out in a (gorgeous) dish all day as long as your kitchen is at an average or cool-ish room temperature, but it’s best to stash it in your fridge overnight to be safe.
The best butter dish for your needs depends on what you’re looking for on an aesthetic and practical level. Romanticize your countertops with some vintage majolica or a traditional butter bell; reach for a minimalist butter dish to compliment your Scandinavian dining table, or a trompe l’oeil dinner roll-shaped butter dish to impress dinner guests.
Butter Dishes vs. Butter Bells and Crocks
When shopping for a butter dish, you will generally notice rectangular, single- and double-stick butter containers made out of ceramic, stoneware, or glass. There are some delightful round butter dishes out there, too, for any Rodolphe le Meunier butter fans or folks who just prefer a round dish.
You can also try keeping your butter in a traditional 19th-century French-style butter bell or butter crock, which stores butter in a small, water-immersed vessel that provides an airtight seal on the container while ensuring your butter stays delightfully spreadable. These crocks help to keep your butter safe to eat while left out at room temperature for longer periods of time.
