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+-- Thread: Does Butter Really Need To Be Refrigerated? (/showthread.php?tid=128960)
Does Butter Really Need To Be Refrigerated? - BarbaraS - 11-11-2011
Hey All,
I usually leave a stick of butter in a covered butter dish out on the counter unless it is really hot outside and in. I really don't think much of it.
But due to some family drama, I left a nice little tub of D'Artangnan Truffle Butter out for about 20 hours, seal unbroken. I had left it out to thaw as I usually keep these in the freezer. Hubby says I should toss it, but I'm reluctant to do so. Should I? What would you do?
Barbara
Re: Does Butter Really Need To Be Refrigerated? - Old Bay - 11-11-2011
I think it will go rancid eventually but I think 20 hrs at room temp is ok--smell it, if it passes the smell test I would use it.
Oleo is a different ballgame --you can leave it out a month and nothing changes--insects won't eat it, ants go around it, it never goes bad--it started that way--it will outlive teflon!!!
Re: Does Butter Really Need To Be Refrigerated? - cjs - 11-11-2011
Oh man, after my episode last week, I'd say dump it. Whenever you introduce foreign ingredients to a product you are playing with fire as far as bacteria growing.
I hate to say it, but that's what I would do. Maybe someone who is not as skittish as I will differ.
Re: Does Butter Really Need To Be Refrigerated? - labradors - 11-11-2011
Normally, for just plain butter, no, but I'm not sure what he truffles add to the equation. If there's any garlic in it, definitely throw it out, since garlic in an oil (butter's close enough) can develop the toxin for botulism if not acidified and/or refrigerated.
Re: Does Butter Really Need To Be Refrigerated? - losblanos1 - 11-11-2011
My Motto is "When in doubt, throw it out". NO questionable food is worth my families health.
Re: Does Butter Really Need To Be Refrigerated? - Mare749 - 11-11-2011
Plain butter I wouldn't worry about so much, but with truffles I would be afraid to use it. Is there a 1-800 number you could call? My daughter obtained useful advice concerning product safety by doing that.
Re: Does Butter Really Need To Be Refrigerated? - losblanos1 - 11-11-2011
The FDA has a website with a section on food safety, maybe there's something about compound butter?
Re: Does Butter Really Need To Be Refrigerated? - labradors - 11-11-2011
Good idea, Maryann. In addition to the FDA site that Blaine mentioned, the label on the product, itself, may have a phone number or web address where you could find out.
Re: Does Butter Really Need To Be Refrigerated? - DFen911 - 11-12-2011
No butter does not need to be refrigerated. I use a butter bell 100% of the time unless I "need" chilled butter for sauces. I sits on my counter all the time and never had any issues at all.
Re: Does Butter Really Need To Be Refrigerated? - losblanos1 - 11-12-2011
This is not an ordinary butter, it contains truffles. Truffles are a fungi?