Natural peanut butter doesn't have to be refrigerated if you're going to eat it relatively quickly. I don't know exactly how many weeks it will last outside the fridge, as I've never had it last long enough to find out, but it will go rancid in the cupboards much faster than commercial peanut butter.
When I bought it by the jar, I refrigerated it, but now I buy it freshly ground from the health food store (almond butter, too), I only buy maybe half cup at a time, so I just leave it out.
I buy it freshly ground from the health food store (almond butter, too), I only buy maybe half cup at a time, so I just leave it out.
Yeah, I just started buying mine from the Whole Foods - where I can grind as much as I want myself. I use the small flat container and fill it about 1/2 full. I've been leaving it in the pantry and haven't had any problems - been there about a week. Of course it's almost gone now ...
I used to keep it in the fridge but it was not spreadable that way. I keep the peanut butter in a cool dark place and I have not had a problem. If it is super hot in your house or you do not use the PB often the fridge will keep it from getting rancid.
The label says refrigerate after opening but I never have. It's too hard and doesn't spread well if refrigrerated. So far I've not had any problems and I've had jars open for a month or 2 at a time.
I did find a jar in the back of the pantry that I hadn't opened yet that had a use by date of several years ago and it did have an odd color and smell so that one went out.
There are many food that say to refrigerate that you really don't need to. Peanut butter, tahini, soy sauce, hot sauce, etc. A lot of oils say to refrigerate, but I've never had any go rancid either. As long as you use it fast enough, I don't think it's a problem. Just use your nose as a guide.
I do refrigerate mine, but it's to keep it from separating.
My other concern though would be mice. I used to keep non-perishable food in my desk until a mouse problem broke out in the office. Mice love peanut butter too. So, I'd make sure the jar is glass and make sure it's clean on the outside.
Hello,
I am new here so please bear with me. Awhile ago I read a hint that before opening a new jar of pb just turn it upside down for a couple of hours and you will not need to stir in the oils. It worked, I had very little mixing to do. I hate stirring peanut butter.
Sophie
I used to pour out the oil that rose to the top of natural nut butters. I figured that it reduced that fat content somewhat. It did make the remaining nut butter dryer and more difficult to spread, but I just microwaved it for a few seconds, and there was still plenty of oil in it, for it to melt into a spreadable consistency.
I do the upside down trick too.... It works great. I do keep my natural PB in the fridge when I buy it. I tend to over eat the natrual PB so I don't get it tooo often....
Natural PB and Refrigeration
