Nearly all butter in the United States is pasteurized, so it is safe for at least a week out on the counter so long as it is housed in a proper container and kept at a normal home temperature,” says Bernardi. According to the USDA, butter and margarine are safe at room temperature. It's best to leave out whatever you can use within a day or two, though, to avoid the flavor of your butter turning rancid. Also, note that margarine can separate into oil or water and solids when not refrigerated. Brigitt Earley is a freelance lifestyle writer who covers food and kitchen-related content for The Spruce Eats. She received her Masters of Science in Journalism from Northwestern University; her B.A. from Loyola University of Maryland; and her culinary degree from The French Culinary Institute in New York City.

Estimated delivery time 1-2 working days (We cannot guarantee these delivery times during Strike Action) Estimated delivery time 3-5 working days (We cannot guarantee these delivery times during Strike Action) Consider the size of a butter dish. It's important to find a butter dish that will not only fit your butter, but also keep it from sliding around when it's in transport. Carrie Honaker, who updated this piece, is a freelance writer specializing in food, wine, travel, and culture. As a restaurateur and avid home cook, she knows the importance of finding the right tool for the right job. Her work has appeared in many publications, including Basically, Allrecipes, and Wine Enthusiast.Butter dishes come in many different materials, such as porcelain, glass, and plastic. Each of these is perfect for many different lifestyles. If you're not worried about anyone possibly breaking your dish, then you can venture out into whatever material you think best suits your kitchen. However, if you have kids, it may be best to opt for one made of a more durable material to prevent messy mishaps. How does your kitchen cleanup routine look? If you don't mind washing things by hand, then you don't necessarily need to worry about a butter dish's wash instructions. However, if you lead a more on-the-go lifestyle, make sure to find one that's dishwasher safe.