Can Peanut Butter Be Refrigerated? Make sure they are stored correctly

Peanut butter’s rich texture and taste make it one of the most popular spreads. It’s also a main ingredient in several savory and sweet recipes. So, can peanut butter be refrigerated? How long can it last?

In this article, we’ll answer all your questions to guarantee you’re constantly eating fresh, tasty peanut butter.

Can Peanut Butter Be Refrigerated?

Many people keep peanut butter in the pantry, but it can also be refrigerated. But, of course, this depends on the type of peanut butter you’re eating.

Peanut butter contains high levels of fats and low moisture levels, creating unfavorable conditions for bacterial growth. So, compared to other types of food, peanut butter has a long shelf life.

Moreover, most manufacturers use hydrogenated vegetable oils to stabilize peanut butter to help it last longer. These stabilizers prevent the fats in the peanut butter from breaking. Yet, if you’re buying natural peanut butter without preservatives, it will have a shorter shelf life.

Unopened Peanut Butter

You don’t have to store unopened peanut butter in the fridge. It’s safe and won’t go bad, as long as you pay attention to the expiry date.

Unopened peanut butter can last up to 2 years when kept in the dark pantry. Once opened, it can last up to 3 months.

If you keep it in the fridge after opening it, it can last between 6 and 9 months. The most important thing is to keep it sealed and dry. You should also use a dry and clean spoon whenever you want a scoop of peanut butter.

The natural peanut butter you make at home will last several months in the pantry. However, it can last only for a month or so once opened. As a result, you should keep it in the fridge to guarantee its safety.

Powdered Peanut Butter

Powdered peanut butter is made of roasted peanuts, and some types contain salt or sugar. The roasted peanuts are pressed, and all the oils are removed. So it will last longer than natural peanut butter.

You don’t have to refrigerate powdered peanut butter, as it’s made to last up to a year. Once opened, powdered peanut butter can last for up to 6 months when kept in a dry, dark place.

Should You Refrigerate Peanut Butter?

This depends on how fast you go through a jar of peanut butter. So, if you use peanut butter every day and usually buy a new jar every month or so, you shouldn’t worry about it going rancid.

As long as you seal the jar, keep the peanut butter in the dark, dry pantry, and use a clean, dry spoon to scoop it out, it won’t go bad.

You might want to keep it in the fridge if you don’t use it daily. This will guarantee that it can last for three or four more months.

How Do You Know That Peanut Butter Has Gone Bad?

You and your family should be aware of the telltale signs that your food is no longer safe. Of course, many people just look at the expiry date, but if you haven’t been storing your peanut butter properly, it might go bad and be unsafe to use before this particular date.

This is why you need to examine the peanut butter to see if it’s still safe to use. Here are some things to look out for.

Change In Color

The first thing you should look out for is the color change. As peanut butter goes bad, it might start to appear darker. You might also be able to see mold growing inside the jar.

Change In Texture

Peanut butter maintains its creamy, rich texture as long as it’s safe to use. If you notice that it’s becoming too dry, then it’s probably spoiled.

Oil separation is natural, mainly if you use natural peanut butter without any preservatives. Stir it, and it should return to its creamy texture. However, it probably needs to go if it doesn’t return to its rich texture.

Change In Smell

You can smell the peanut butter to see if it smells bad, sharp, or stinky. This is a sign that it’s no longer suitable for use.

Change In Taste

The last thing you want to do it to taste your peanut butter. If it tastes bitter or soapy, then it’s no longer safe.

Find out what’s related to this topics like, Can Warmed Breast Milk Be Refrigerated Again?, Can Meringue Be Refrigerated? and Can Royal Icing Be Refrigerated?

Wrap Up

Peanut butter can be perfectly safe if you store it in the pantry. However, natural peanut butter has a shorter shelf life because it doesn’t contain preservatives.

You can extend the life of peanut butter if you store it in the fridge, but you don’t have to if you’re going to consume it within a few months. It’s crucial to see, smell, and taste it to notice any change. If something feels wrong, then it’s no longer safe to eat.