Table of Contents
- 1 How long does homemade peanut butter last on the shelf?
- 2 How long can homemade peanut butter last without refrigeration?
- 3 Does homemade peanut butter need to be refrigerated?
- 4 Why does peanut butter not need refrigeration?
- 5 How do you prolong homemade peanut butter?
- 6 What happens if you don’t refrigerate natural peanut butter?
- 7 Can you pour the oil off natural peanut butter?
- 8 Should you store natural peanut butter upside down?
How long does homemade peanut butter last on the shelf?
| Pantry | Fridge | |
|---|---|---|
| Peanut Butter (Unopened) | “Best By” + 6 – 12 months | |
| Peanut Butter (Opened) | “Best By” | “Best By” + 3 – 6 months |
| Homemade Peanut Butter | 1 – 3 months |
How long can homemade peanut butter last without refrigeration?
Peanut Butter Expiration Date
| (Unopened) | Pantry | Refrigerator |
|---|---|---|
| Crunchy Peanut Butter lasts for | 1 Year | 1 Year |
| Natural Peanut Butter lasts for | 2-3 Months | 3-6 Months |
| (Opened) | Pantry | Refrigerator |
| Homemade Peanut Butter lasts for | — | 3-6 Months |
Does homemade peanut butter need to be refrigerated?
Sometimes referred to as “natural” peanut butter, this version of peanut butter is only ground peanuts, and nothing else. It’s best to refrigerate because the oils can become rancid and spoiled when left at room temperature for weeks.
Can you store homemade peanut butter in the pantry?
Yes, you can totally store your PB in the pantry—as long as you finish the jar within a month of opening it. Natural nut butters are preservative-free, so their shelf lives are shorter than that of processed peanut butter like Jif or Skippy.
How do you preserve homemade peanut butter?
How to Store Homemade Peanut Butter
- Spoon the peanut butter into a clean jar or plastic food storage container. Attach the lid tightly.
- Store the peanut butter in the refrigerator for two to four weeks.
- Freeze the peanut butter in a freezer-safe storage container for six months or longer.
Why does peanut butter not need refrigeration?
Processed brands of peanut butter are made to have a long shelf life thanks to the addition of stabilizers like palm oil and hydrogenated oils, so once opened, they’re fine to store in a cool, dry cupboard.
How do you prolong homemade peanut butter?
Although it doesn’t need to be refrigerated, cold temperatures ensure it lasts longer. If you prefer not to refrigerate your peanut butter, aim to keep it in a cool, dark place, such as the pantry. It’s also important to always close the jar of peanut butter tightly.
What happens if you don’t refrigerate natural peanut butter?
Natural Peanut Butter Natural peanut butter is peanut butter in its purest form. If you don’t plan on finishing your jar of natural peanut butter within a month or so, or if you live in a hot climate, consider refrigerating it. The oils in the peanuts can go rancid if it’s not kept cool.
Why is my homemade peanut butter dry?
Stir in some neutral oil If you’re down to the bottom of a jar and the nut butter is dry and crumbly (you didn’t store it upside down, huh?), a surefire way to give it life is by adding some oil. Just put in a few drops of a neutral oil (like canola or peanut) and stir to get it all incorporated.
What happens if you don’t refrigerate peanut butter?
An open jar of peanut butter stays fresh up to three months in the pantry. After that, it’s recommended to store the peanut butter in the fridge (where it can maintain its quality for another 3-4 months). If you don’t refrigerate, oil separation can occur.
Can you pour the oil off natural peanut butter?
Don’t pour it out! It’s actually a good sign of how natural your peanut butter is. It’s these oils that make peanut butter so creamy. Peanut oil is also a liquid at room temperature.
Should you store natural peanut butter upside down?
Store your peanut butter container upside-down. Yes, it really is that simple. See, the liquids that separate from the solid body of peanut butter rise to the top. Storing it upside-down will force the oils at the top to travel back through the butter, mixing right in themselves.