We’ve all been in this situation: You attempt to spread butter on a piece of bread, but the butter is too cold. As a result, your knife tears the bread and you're left with clumps of butter instead of an even spread. In this case, and many others, softened butter that’s been stored at room temperature would be helpful. But before you move that stick from the fridge, can you keep butter on the counter? Is it safe to eat at room temperature? We’ll answer these questions and more, plus share tips for storing butter, so you can spread with success.

Can you keep butter on the counter?

Yes, you can keep butter on the counter, according to the Department of Agriculture. Butter and margarine can both be stored at room temperature, but be mindful of a few things. The USDA recommends only leaving out an amount of butter that can be used within two days. After two days, the butter may taste rancid. So if you leave out just a little at a time, you won’t have to worry about food waste. On the other hand, since margarine is made from oil (as opposed to butter, which is made from cream), it may separate at room temperature. While the USDA notes that it is still safe to consume, you’re better off keeping margarine in the refrigerator.

How to store butter at room temperature

If you want to store butter at room temperature, here are a few helpful tips to follow:

With these tips in mind, you can store butter on the counter with confidence.

(EatingWell is a magazine and website devoted to healthy eating as a way of life. Online at www.eatingwell.com.)

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