Do You Have to Refrigerate Earth Balance Butter?

January 10, 2026 •

3 min read

According to food safety experts, plant-based spreads like Earth Balance are more susceptible to spoilage than traditional butter and should always be refrigerated. This is a crucial distinction for many home cooks and bakers wondering, "do you have to refrigerate Earth Balance butter?"

Quick Summary

Earth Balance, a vegan buttery spread, must be refrigerated to prevent spoilage and maintain freshness. Unlike traditional salted butter, its plant-based oils and lower fat content make it more vulnerable to bacteria, especially when stored at warmer temperatures. Keeping it cold is essential for safety and quality.

Key Points

Refrigeration is Mandatory: Earth Balance is a plant-based spread and, unlike traditional salted butter, must be refrigerated for safety.
Plant-Based Ingredients: Made from a blend of vegetable oils, Earth Balance has a different fat-to-water ratio that increases its vulnerability to spoilage at room temperature.
Risk of Rancidity: Leaving it out exposes the oils to heat, light, and oxygen, which accelerates oxidation and can cause the spread to go rancid, affecting its flavor and safety.
Follow Manufacturer's Directions: The product labeling clearly states, "Keep refrigerated," a directive meant to be followed for freshness and food safety.
Proper Storage Extends Freshness: Always store Earth Balance in an airtight container within the refrigerator to maximize its shelf life and prevent it from absorbing odors.
Soften Carefully: For soft, spreadable consistency, take a small portion out shortly before use instead of leaving the entire package on the counter.

Earth Balance vs. Dairy Butter: A Key Difference

Many people are familiar with the tradition of keeping a butter dish on the counter for easy spreading. This practice is often considered safe for salted, pasteurized dairy butter due to its high fat content and low water content, which create an environment less hospitable to bacterial growth. However, this approach does not apply to Earth Balance buttery spreads, which are formulated differently. Earth Balance is a vegan, plant-based product, and its composition requires refrigeration for optimal food safety and quality.

Why Earth Balance Requires Refrigeration

The primary reason Earth Balance requires refrigeration is its ingredients. While traditional butter is made from milk fat, Earth Balance is made from a blend of vegetable oils, including palm, canola, soybean, and flaxseed oil. This unique composition means it lacks the high concentration of dairy fat found in conventional butter. The higher water content and different fat profile make it more prone to spoilage at room temperature. The manufacturer's directions explicitly state to keep the product refrigerated to ensure freshness and safety.

The Role of Ingredients and Shelf Stability

Earth Balance's unique formulation offers a delicious buttery flavor without dairy, but it also impacts its shelf stability. The vegetable oil blend, while plant-based, behaves differently than dairy fat. Exposure to light, heat, and air can accelerate the process of oxidation, causing the fats to go rancid. Refrigeration slows down this chemical reaction, preserving the flavor and preventing the development of off-odors and tastes. Unlike salted dairy butter, which benefits from the preserving qualities of salt, vegan spreads like Earth Balance do not have the same natural resistance to spoilage when left out.

Potential Risks of Non-Refrigeration

Leaving Earth Balance butter at room temperature for extended periods poses several risks. The most immediate concern is food safety. As a vegan spread, it is more susceptible to bacterial growth in warm conditions. The manufacturer's recommendation to refrigerate is not just a suggestion but a guideline to prevent potential foodborne illnesses. Even if the product doesn't visibly spoil, its quality will degrade. The flavor can become stale or rancid, and the texture may separate, becoming an oily liquid. This compromises both the safety and palatability of the spread.

Earth Balance Storage Comparison Table


Storage Method	Earth Balance Butter	Traditional Salted Dairy Butter
Refrigerator	Required for safety and freshness	Recommended for long-term freshness
Countertop	Not recommended; risky	Generally safe for 1-2 days
Reason for Storage	Higher water content, plant-based oils, and no salt make it vulnerable to spoilage and rancidity at room temp.	High fat and low water content, plus salt, inhibit bacterial growth.
Shelf Life on Counter	Very limited; flavor and safety compromised quickly.	Up to 2 days in a cool kitchen, flavor may still turn.
Best Practice	Always store in the refrigerator to maximize shelf life and maintain quality.	Can store small amounts on the counter for short-term use, refrigerating the rest.

Best Practices for Storing Earth Balance

For anyone using Earth Balance, the best practice is to follow the label's instructions: keep it refrigerated. If you prefer a softer, more spreadable product, simply take a portion out of the fridge about 15-30 minutes before you plan to use it. This allows it to soften naturally without compromising food safety. For baking, where room-temperature butter is often required, you can take a measured amount out in advance or use quick softening methods, such as grating or cutting it into small chunks. Always store opened packages in their original, airtight containers in the refrigerator to protect the product from absorbing other odors and to extend its shelf life. For longer storage, Earth Balance can also be frozen, which can extend its usability for several months. For more detailed information on general butter storage, see the USDA's FoodKeeper app at foodsafety.gov.

Conclusion

The fundamental difference in composition between Earth Balance and traditional dairy butter dictates their storage requirements. The question, "do you have to refrigerate Earth Balance butter?" is met with a clear and unequivocal yes. Its plant-based, lower-fat, and higher-moisture profile makes it susceptible to spoilage at room temperature, a risk that traditional salted dairy butter does not share to the same degree. By always keeping your Earth Balance refrigerated, you ensure both the safety and peak quality of your product for all your vegan cooking and baking needs.

Frequently Asked Questions

No, it is not recommended to leave Earth Balance butter on the counter for more than a brief period. As a plant-based spread, it is more susceptible to spoilage and rancidity at room temperature compared to traditional dairy butter.

If left out for an extended time, the vegetable oils in Earth Balance can oxidize and go rancid, leading to off-flavors and odors. While it may not make you immediately sick, the quality will degrade and it could potentially harbor bacteria, so it is best to discard it if left out too long.

When properly stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator, Earth Balance can last for several months, often well past the 'best by' date printed on the package. Checking for any off-odors or discoloration is always a good practice.

Regular dairy butter, especially salted varieties, has a high percentage of milk fat and low water content, which naturally inhibits bacterial growth. Earth Balance is a vegan spread made from vegetable oils, with different fat and moisture levels that require refrigeration to prevent spoiling.

Yes, you can freeze Earth Balance to extend its shelf life. For best results, wrap it tightly in freezer-safe plastic wrap or place it in a heavy-duty freezer bag. It can be stored this way for up to a year.

Spoiled Earth Balance will often have an off or sour odor, or a change in color or texture, such as becoming too oily or discolored. If you notice any of these signs, it is best to discard the product.

For baking, you can quickly soften refrigerated Earth Balance by cutting it into small pieces and letting it sit at room temperature for about 15-30 minutes. Alternatively, you can grate frozen or cold sticks to speed up the process.