There is nothing quite like the creamy, crunchy taste of peanut butter–what’s not to love about a sweet and salty treat?
Whether enjoyed in a classic peanut butter cookie recipe, paired with chocolate in a dessert, mixed into a cocktail or like a true Southerner added in chili, peanut butter is a kitchen staple for the whole family.
With enjoyment for the whole family at stake, when it comes to storing peanut butter, it makes sense to want to keep it fresh for as long as possible. So, should peanut butter be refrigerated? The answer depends on what kind of peanut butter you have. Here is everything you need to know about how to store peanut butter safely.
Chelsea Edwards is a Registered Dietitian and the owner of Huntsville Nutrition Collective in Huntsville, Alabama
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Two Types Of Peanut Butter
Peanut butter is a spread made by mixing peanuts and oil, along with other ingredients. When it comes to peanut butter there are two main types: commercially produced and natural.
Commercially Produced Peanut Butter
Most commercially produced peanut butters that can be purchased at the store under name brands include stabilizers–commonly hydrogenated oils–that help keep the butter smooth.
“Stabilized peanut butter does not have any noticeable oil separation and does not need refrigeration, though it could extend its shelf life,” says Edwards.
According to FoodSafety.gov’s Food Keeper App, commercially produced peanut butter that includes hydrogenated fat or other oils, has a shelf life of six to nine months when stored, unopened in the pantry. Once opened, the peanut butter has a shelf life of approximately two to three months when stored in the pantry.
Commercially produced peanut butter that includes hydrogenated fat or other oils can last up to twelve months from date of purchase in the refrigerator, and three to four months once opened.
Natural Peanut Butter
Natural peanut butter, which does not contain stabilizers, should always be refrigerated. Because the oils can separate, the peanut butter can go rancid more quickly. “Refrigerating natural peanut butter will help extend its shelf life and will also help with separation,” explains Edwards.
According to FoodSafety.gov’s Food Keeper App, unopened natural peanut butter can last up to a full year in the refrigerator. Once opened, natural peanut butter should be consumed in three to four months. Edwards says that other natural nut butters, such as cashew butter, should be refrigerated to help with shelf life due to lack of preservatives.
Where To Store Peanut Butter
Conventional peanut butter should be stored in a cool, dry, dark place. “This reduces chances of oxidation and extends the shelf life,” Edwards says.
Does Peanut Butter Go Bad?
Yes, peanut butter can go bad. Because it has a high fat content, peanut butter can go rancid, but it’s not particularly common. Signs your favorite spread has gone bad include: metallic or stale smell, darkened color, and bitter taste. “Moldy, sharp or soapy smells are all good indicators it’s time to toss your jar,” says Edwards.
Edwards explains that when peanut butter goes bad it is generally more about the time it’s been open and how it’s been stored. “Double dipping your knife, or using the same knife for jam or jelly, can introduce bacteria that can make your peanut butter go bad more rapidly,” she says.