3 Butter Dishes That’ll Look Adorable In Your Kitchen (You Have To See These)

The Best Butter Dish on the market

Most people would consider a butter dish pointless but not me and clearly not you either considering you're searching for "what's the best butter dish?". 

To me butter dishes makes sooooooo much sense and they can be really dainty and beautiful, as well as looking very "classic".

Because when you prefer proper, old fashioned butter sticks over the kind that comes prepackaged in a tub, you may be looking for a storage solution that isn’t just sticking it in the refrigerator.

Spreading rock hard butter is one of life’s less enjoyable tasks.

Whether you’re looking to upgrade your existing dish, or are new to the world of butter storage, figuring out which is best to invest in is tricky.

There are so many on the market, each quainter and more adorable than the last.

That’s where we step in, presenting five of the best butter dishes you could find right now, in a range of designs to adorn your countertop with.

The conclusion after research is that these are the top butter dish choices...


Here’s Our Top Butter Dish Pick...

OUR TOP PICK

Designed and manufactured in France, this beautiful butter dish from Luminarc is made entirely from glass.

The charming cow design adds a touch of country class to any kitchen, looking absolutely lovely on anybody’s countertop.

Durable and incredibly easy to wash, it’s also a hundred percent hygienic and will keep butter at room temperature safely for weeks at a time!

Tempered to withstand temperatures up to 275 degrees Fahrenheit, it’s perfect in hotter climates.

At 6.69 x 4.13 x 2.76 inches, it should be more than suitable no matter what size butter stick you opt for.

You’ll have space to store two standard, four ounce sticks at a time in this dish.

So it’s great for large households or frequent bakers!

Far superior to ceramic and bone china variants, this dish can stand up to a bit of rough and tumble.

And it’s also thick enough to survive the intense heat and steam of a dishwasher if you don’t have the time for hand washing.

Distributing household goods for over seventy years, Luminarc is a trusted brand you can rely on/

The French are known for their preference for butter dishes, so where better to get one for your kitchen than via the experts.

Pros

  • Thick, durable glass, dishwasher safe
  • Attractive and adorable cow design
  • Seals away your butter for 100% freshness
  • French manufacturers of home goods - dependable

Cons

  • Even though it's just a butter dish it's a premium product.

EDITORS CHOICE

Perfect whether you prefer East or West Coast style sticks, this classic-style butter dish from Sweese is simplistic and beautiful.

Available in four gorgeous colors, you can bring a pop of brightness or stick to the classic white design.

Accommodating a ‘full-sized’ All-American stick and more, the lid is tall and wide enough for a completely airtight seal.

Made from professional, food grade porcelain, it’s lead free and totally microwave and dishwasher safe, too.

Thanks to the elegant curved edges and an internal lip to prevent sliding, there’s less chance of an accident.

The design functions in such a way that it’s rare for the lid to drag against the edge of your butter, which to some people can be very annoying.

A small knob atop the lid enables you to lift off easily, for immediate access to your perfectly softened butter.

fI you’re clumsier than most, this dish has your back, even when things get a little slippy.

Customer opinions show that generally Sweese offer excellent customer service.

In the event that you are dissatisfied with your purchase, coming to a solution that pleases you should be no problem at all, whether that’s a replacement or a refund.

Pros

  • Heavy, durable butter dish - keep out unwanted pet intruders!
  • Four stylish designs to choose from
  • Microwave and dishwasher safe
  • Internal ridges to prevent sliding

Cons

  • On the heavier side - could be difficult to use for those with arthritis or similar conditions

BEST VALUE

Another basic yet beautiful design comes from Kook, who present their sleek white ceramic butter dish with an easy lifting handle.

Rest assured that it is shipped out in protective polyfoam, so there’s no chance of any breakages in transit.

Elegantly embossed with ‘butter’, just in case you forget, it's ideal for the label maker addict in your life.

Sturdy and strong, it’s definitely reminiscent of the more traditional dishes you might have found in your grandparents’ home.

Ideal for smaller households, it perfectly accommodates a single four ounce stick of butter, with internal ridges for holding in place.

No more melting and sliding around all over the countertop!

Though it might not hold the larger eight ounce sticks (like the ever popular Kerrygold Irish variety), it’s simple enough to slice those in half whilst still solid and keep one in the fridge til necessary.

Don’t let that put you off!

It might be plain, but it’s cute enough to add some charm to any kitchen countertop.

As well as looking good, it’s also microwave, freezer and dishwasher safe, so whatever you want to do with your butter is more than fine.

Pros

  • Made from tough, lead free ceramic
  • Simple yet stylish design with a helpful handle
  • FDA approved for hygienic storage all year round
  • Dishwasher, microwave and freezer safe 

Cons

  • Only has room for storing one standard four ounce stick

RUNNER UP

Alright, this is clearly an expensive dish from Granrosi, but stick with us.

If you’re a true dairy enthusiast, this is essentially the iPhone of butter storage, only this one won’t become obsolete in the next twelve months!

Intended to replicate antique-style dishes of the past, this attractive enamel dish is paired with a gorgeously thick beechwood lid.

Sure to be the envy of anybody who visits. It’s certainly the most eye catching design on our list.

With room for two standard four ounce sticks or the wider European style blocks, there’s plenty of space for as much butter as your heart desires.

The lid creates a true, airtight seal, and can even be used as a tiny chopping board!

Unlike conventional ceramic, porcelain and pottery based dishes, this won’t smash if you accidentally drop it.

It’s also nice and lightweight, so it won’t prove unnecessarily heavy for those with mobility issues.

GranRosi advises that, for the longest possible lifespan, this dish should be hand washed only, ensuring that the wooden lid has ample time to dry.

Sure, that’s a little extra effort, but you’ll never have to buy a new one!

Pros

  • Sturdy enamel and beautiful beechwood lid - durable and beautiful

  • More than enough room for standard and larger sticks

  • Completely airtight seal - longer lasting butter

  • Can be stored in the refrigerator or left on the counter 

Cons

  • Not recommended for dishwashers

RUNNER UP

Transport yourself back to the 1950s with this quintessential country style butter dish from Creative Co-Op, adorned with the loveliest floral farmhouse designs.

Why ruin the charm of your dinnerware set with a modern design, when this one exists?

Fitting an impressive four standard sticks, this stunning stoneware design is sturdier than its glass or ceramic counterparts.

Heavy enough to create a solid seal, but not so much it becomes an inconvenience, the handy knobbed lid is easily lifted off.

Safe for use in the microwave and fine to (carefully) go in the dishwasher, it might be old-fashioned, but it won’t fail at the hands of modern technology.

With a regular reminder to ‘spread the love,’ it’s a super sweet addition to your kitchen.

Unlike more traditionally styled dishes, there’s no chance for the lid to scrape against your butter and make a huge mess.

This might not sound like the biggest deal, but for those who are well versed in countertop butter, it’s a great convenience.

Every dish is handmade, so there may be slight variations in yours if you opt for it, but hey - it’s one of a kind!

Easily carried from the fridge to your table (if you prefer refrigeration), there’s also less chance of an accident in transit.

Pros

  • Stunning stoneware dish, great for a rustic/farmhouse aesthetic

  • Double the size of traditional dishes

  • Microwave and dishwasher safe

  • Easy lift lid - not as heavy as competing dishes

Cons

  • Color is more off-white or cream than stark paper-white suggested

Best Butter Dish Buying Guide

Why Use A Butter Dish

You may be wondering: what’s the point? Why not just buy the prepackaged tubs and throw ‘em in the fridge? Well, there are several benefits to the butter dish life, for instance:

  • Immediate access to spreadable butter when you want it - no more hacking at the block and tearing apart innocent bread slices!

  • No more single-use plastic for you! Minimize your contribution to landfills and make a small contribution to saving the Earth!

  • Saves room in the refrigerator for other items that actually need to maintain a colder temperature

  • Useful for those who like to cook or bake with butter on a regular basis, removing the softening step from many recipes

  • Okay, this isn’t necessarily an incentive, but butter dishes are adorable! They look so charming in just about any kitchen, no matter the style of decor

  • Those who keep their blocks on the counter just in wax paper will find that their butter stays much fresher for longer, is much easier to handle, and far less likely to make a buttery mess! 

Features To Consider

Material

Traditionally, butter dishes have been crafted from ceramic or porcelain, given they create an easy airtight seal and look beautiful in your kitchen.

They also make for very easy access, the designs usually incorporating a handle for easy lifting.

However, they are prone to easy chipping and one false move - which is easily done in hot weather with slippy butter - can result in a smashed dish and a sticky mess to clean up.

Pardon the pun, but those with butterfingers ought to steer clear.

More contemporary examples are made from stainless steel and plastic, given they are much less prone to breakage and lightweight for easy transportation.

You can totally imagine a hipster taking fresh butter in a dish to a picnic, can’t you?

Size

There are three standard sizes for butter sticks, and depending on your personal preference, you’re going to need a dish that accommodates the one you use most often.

Don’t worry - we thought they were all the same at first, too.

Down in the East coast, you’ll get a taller, thinner stick of butter, whereas those who live out West are going to find theirs are wide but short. 

More indulgent than our US offerings is European style butter, which is presented in a much wider block.

It’s essentially double our usual four ounce stick… and they say our portion sizes are huge! If it's your favorite kind, you’re gonna need a bigger dish.

Seal

Take it from us, you’re going to want a dish with a lid if you plan on leaving it out.

Otherwise, your delicious butter is exposed, and is far more likely to go rancid. 

Even just leaving the stick wrapped up isn’t enough to keep it protected.

Light and air are the primary suspects in spoiled butter, so sealing it away in a proper butter dish is your best bet for long-lasting deliciousness.

Yes, you can buy dishes that are lidless, but that doesn’t mean that you should. 

Provided that you follow these storage guidelines, you’ll be able to have fresh butter for at least a week or two.

On that note, be sure to only leave out an amount that can be safely consumed in that time, or you’ll end up with moldy butter anyway!

Appearance

Nowadays, you can find butter dishes in just about any size, style or color.

If novelty kitchen accessories are your niche, then you’re in luck, as there are hundreds of fun designs to choose from. Ours is shaped like a dachshund!

As advised above, we highly recommend opting for a lid to create that all important seal. Other than that, the world is your oyster!

Whether you want a traditional country style dish or some modern monochrome, you’ll find one to suit you.

It’s also worth noting that some dishes come with useful measurements imprinted on them, for more efficient slicing and dicing while you bake.

Whilst not strictly a necessity, it’s a handy addition that could make your life just that little bit easier.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is it safe to leave butter out using a dish?

Although it’s categorized as dairy, unlike milk and cheese, butter won’t spoil if left on the counter. Given that it is made up of 80 percent fat (or more), there’s much less 

water, so minimal opportunities for bacteria to take hold and begin growing.

Unfortunately, as with anything, it will spoil eventually, so we’d recommend regularly checking up on your butter and only keeping it for around seven to ten days.

It could feasibly last up to two weeks in colder months, so use discretion and be safe!

Does a butter dish need to be airtight?

Ideally, yes! Bacteria transmitted in the air are just desperate to get to that golden deliciousness (aren’t we all?) so keeping it covered with a lid is highly recommended.

The stronger the seal, the longer your butter should stay fresh and tasty.

In the event that you only have a lidless butter dish to work with, you’ll find that it only lasts for a day or two before it begins to look a little suspect.

As soon as you notice something off, it’s time to hit the trash can.

Should I put my butter dish in the fridge?

Whilst milk and other household dairy consumables are kept in the fridge, because they start to spoil once acclimatizing to room temperature, butter is slightly different.

It does contain cream, but nowhere near as much, so less chance for spoiling.

As such, though many moms would rather die than take their butter out of the fridge, if that’s your prerogative (and who wouldn’t want spreadable joy at their fingertips?) then don’t worry. 

Provided you follow all of the advice we’ve laid out about the right kind of butter dish, and use your senses to acknowledge when things are starting to get a little funky, it’ll be quite obvious when your butter is on the turn. Just keep an eye on it! 

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