The Best Butter Dishes

Buying Guide for Butter Dishes

Why buy a butter dish?

A butter dish ensures your butter’s freshness and quality for a longer period. Whether you keep it in or out of the fridge, a butter dish will keep your butter away and covered from bacteria, smells, and other food particles.

What should you consider in a butter dish?

• Material: Glass, ceramic, porcelain, and plastic are the most common materials for butter dishes. For ultimate protection and long-lasting results, porcelain is the way to go. It’s tough and less porous than any other material. Glass and ceramic are great contenders and work just as well, but they may not hold up to the standard of porcelain. Plastic works, too, as long as it comes with a lock-in seal. You’ll want to opt for an opaque material since see-through material allows light and speeds up the butter’s oxidation process, which can cause discoloration and differences in taste. This won’t spoil the butter. However, it may decrease its longevity.
• Airtight Seal: Most butter dishes will come with a silicone seal or grooves in the base of the dish where the lid can snap into and close. Having a proper barrier between the butter and any debris will keep it fresh for a more extended period.
• Extra Features: Some butter dishes include a compartment to store a butter knife or may have stoppers on each end to keep your slab of butter in place. Depending on how often you use butter in your food, these things can be valuable.

Is it safe for butter to be left out of the refrigerator?

There are three factors to consider when deciding if your butter can be left on the counter or stored away in the fridge: the type of butter, the kitchen’s temperature, and the type of container you use. You’ll find that most butter is pasteurized, meaning they have been processed to keep bacteria away. Salted butter can be left out of the fridge for up to two weeks, depending on the climate and the container used. While the salt helps sustain the life of the butter, it should be stored in the fridge once the room hits above 70 degrees Fahrenheit. If the container’s material is opaque and has an airtight seal, your butter should last just fine. However, unsalted, whipped, and unpasteurized butter should be stored in the fridge from the start except when being left out to soften right before use.

Our Picks for the Best Butter Dishes

Pros: You’ll be equipped to butter your favorite foods with this incredible, compact butter dish. The base is made of sleek black ceramic with the word “BUTTER” in white on the front. On top, you’ll find a wooden lid with a grooved center meant to conveniently hold a butter knife. The silicone seal between the base and lid keeps your butter fresh and all the smells out. The dish measures 6.3 x 3.5 x 2.7 inches so that it can hold many, if not most, slabs of butter to your preference. If that’s not enough, the ceramic dish can be hand washed or put in the dishwasher, whereas the wooden lid can be easily wiped down with soap and water.

Cons: The butter knife is not the most durable, so you may need to purchase another separately.

Bottom Line: Keep this selection at the top of your list with its attractive, innovative design that will maintain your butter’s quality with convenience. It makes buttering your bread much easier while serving as a cute addition to your kitchen.

 

Pros: This classic butter dish from Sweese serves pure simplicity and clean functionality at your fingertips. Because of its minimal white style, it can easily blend in with most kitchens; however, you can choose from nine other colors if you want it to stand out. The dish measures 7.8 x 4.1 inches, and the lid comes at a tall 4.2 inches, accommodating various styles of butter from the east to the west coast. The edge of the lid and the dish fit together beautifully and create a barrier so that other food and debris don’t stand a chance. Last but certainly not least, this dish is made from high-quality, durable, eco-friendly porcelain that can be put on the stovetop or oven and placed in the dishwasher.

Cons: Some lids may come lopsided or uneven, which can make for a messy inside.

Bottom Line: This butter dish is a class act that can’t be beaten. Give this one a try to add that classy touch to your kitchenware while retaining the integrity of your butter.

 

Pros: OXO provides a practical solution for those slip-up moments in the kitchen with their butter dish. If you bake dishes that rely on precise measurements, you’ll want to get your hands on this butter dish with a clear lid so you can track how much you’re cutting. The lid rests on top of the dish, while the stoppers on both sides help keep the butter in place when you start cutting or moving it from your counter to the fridge.

Cons: The lid runs on the smaller side, so while it may be able to hold your stick of butter, it will be a tight squeeze or messy inside.

Bottom Line: If you want convenience that you can see, this transparent butter dish with its handy markings is what you need. Take your cooking to the next level with this efficient tool that makes measuring butter less of a hassle.

 

Pros: A lot is packed into this crock, and we’re not just talking about the butter. How it works is you’ll first fill the well with cold water to the water-line mark. You’ll then pack a half-cup of softened butter into the crock and avoid air bubbles from getting in, creating a solid mound. Once you finish, place the crock into the well, and voila, you have a secure seal that should prevent most harm or spoilage from coming your butter’s way. As a result, the butter should be at the right spreadable temperature for your next piece of toast for breakfast.

Cons: You’ll have to keep an eye on the water as it may grow mold if not changed frequently.

Bottom Line: A unique take on the traditional butter dish, this crock-style butter dish is one of a kind. The proper temperature and design create a smooth, spreadable buttering experience you won’t miss out on.

 

Pros: From the outside, this Rubbermaid butter dish may not serve looks, but it serves functionality. Its signature red bottom and clear lid seal nicely with the convenient grooves found in the base, so your butter stays safe and ready for spreading. It measures 7.79 x 2.09 x 3.06 inches and should hold most typical-sized sticks of butter. Just pop off the lid, and you’re ready to go.

Cons: The cover does click into place, but it can easily pop off if you aren’t careful.

Bottom Line: A go-to option from a well-trusted brand, this simple plastic butter dish offers more than meets the eye. Your butter will be safe and sound in this sturdy, well-built container.

Final Thoughts

Keeping your butter smooth and delectable in its original form is just as essential as butter is in most recipes. A butter dish can be as basic or fancy as you prefer and offers features to extend the life of your butter as long as possible. Elevate the taste and quality of your cooking by using a butter dish.