Opened your first jar of almond butter and not sure if you should put it in the fridge or not? Does almond butter need to be refrigerated?

That’s the truth about storing almond butter. Below, we cover the topic in more detail and discuss the following:

• what to do with the separated oil
• hardened almond butter fixing
• choose between keeping at room temperature or in the fridge

Sounds interesting? keep reading

Does almond butter need to be refrigerated?

Refrigerating almond butter after opening isn’t a necessity, but it’s something worth considering if you need it to maintain its quality for more than a couple of months. The only downside is that almond butter hardens in the fridge.

In other words, you can store an open jar of almond butter at room temperature or in the fridge, depending on your needs.

If you’re convinced that finishing the jar won’t take you more than a couple of weeks, and certainly no more than a few months, leaving it in your pantry or kitchen cabinet is perfectly fine.

Related: Does almond butter go bad? How long does it last?

The only exception here is if you live in a hot climate and your oils tend to go rancid quickly. That’s when refrigerating almond butter is definitely the way to go.

Some manufacturers, like MaraNatha, generally suggest refrigeration because it helps prevent the walnut paste from going rancid and maintains quality longer. Others, like Classic Tales make it clear that the choice is up to you.

The bottom line on whether or not you need to refrigerate almond butter is this:

• if you live in a hot climate refrigerate it
• if you want nut butter to last for months, store it in the fridge
• if you use a single jar within a couple of months, you can leave it in the kitchen cabinet

One thing to keep in mind is that if you leave your butter out at room temperature and it doesn’t have palm oil or other stabilizers in it, the oil will separate.

The separation of the oil is natural and perfectly harmless. Its only drawback is that you have to stir the butter before each use to get it to its optimal consistency (the same works for separate tahini fix).

Warning

Do not drain the oil that has separated. You’ll end up with dry almond butter that’s hard to spread.

If you choose to refrigerate your almond butter, keep in mind that it will harden and be more difficult to spread. To fix that, leave it on the counter for at least 10 minutes before it’s needed and stir before consumption.

How to store almond butter?

Store almond butter in a cool place, away from direct sunlight and any heat sources, and remember to seal the jar when not in use. On top of that, always use clean spoons when scooping or stirring the product so you don’t contaminate it.

As long as the jar is not open, it can be in the pantry or in a kitchen cabinet. Once you open it, you can leave it at room temperature or move the jar to the fridge. As you already know, both options have their pros and cons.

Speaking of storage temperature, it’s better if it’s a little lower than normal room temperature. For example, Justin’s Pecan Butter recommends storing their products at temperatures below 65°F (18°C).

As you can see, the guidelines for storing both peanut butter and almond butter are pretty similar.

Now, let’s say you went the DIY route and made your own almond butter. How do you store homemade almond butter?

Homemade Almond Butter

You should store your homemade almond butter in a tightly closed container and in the refrigerator, where it will last for at least a couple of weeks.

While store-bought almond butter doesn’t require refrigeration, one you make at home doesn’t necessarily.

This is because by making it yourself, you will most likely contaminate it, so it’s best to keep things safe by refrigerating your nut butter. Most recipes suggest doing that anyway.

Last but not least, if you are blending freshly roasted almonds, allow the mixture to cool to room temperature before putting it in the fridge.