Butter Is Having a Moment: Here’s How to Choose, Use, & Fall in Love with the Good Stuff

Though butter begins with just cream, the method matters deeply. When cream is slowly agitated, its fat molecules gather and separate from the buttermilk, creating the beginnings of butter. But processes like slow barrel-churning add nuance, with gentle movement that yields an exceptionally smooth texture. To make cultured butter, the cream is fermented before churning, creating a tang that tastes cheese-adjacent—complex, nutty, and wonderfully aromatic.

Butterfat content also plays a major role in the final product. European butters often sit at a higher fat percentage (around 82–86%), which means richer flavor and a softer, more melt-in-your-mouth consistency. Salted butter is your everyday hero; unsalted is the foundation of baking precision. Think of them as siblings, each exceptional, each with a distinct personality

Grass-fed butters also shine, with flavors shaped directly by pasture and season. Their bright yellow color hints at nutrient-rich cream, and their taste delivers vivid notes: sweet, grassy, and warm. These are the everyday workhorse butters that make simple cooking feel a little more special.

Let’s start with a standout: Rodolphe le Meunier Salted Butter. This cultured French masterpiece is slow-churned using the traditional beurre de baratte method, which gives the butter its dreamy suppleness. It’s flecked with irresistible sea salt crystals that crackle with every bite. That all adds up to the kind of butter that transforms a slice of bread into an experience.

Our curated selection of Butter & Fresh Dairy includes other worthy butter contenders from producers across the U.S. and Europe. Like salted and unsalted versions from Isigny Ste. Mère crafted in Normandy using traditional methods using local grass-fed cow’s milk (a favorite of many chefs). And classic American versions, like one from Vermont Creamerythat’s cultured and made in the European style, one of our top picks for cooking.

For spreading and topping, we’re also fans of flavored butter when made with high-qualityx ingredients. Ploughgate’s Cultured Maple Butter is infused with Vermont maple syrup until just-sweet-enough, making it perfect for brunch applications. For a special savory option, you can’t beat Fabrique Delices’ White Truffle Butter, made in California in the French style and studded with real white truffle, bringing its pungent notes of garlic and shallot. It’s simple luxury melted over a simple pasta with parm.

And because butter makes the best gift, we created the Spread the Love Butter Bundle, bringing together a few of the favorites listed above (plus a teak spreader), for anyone who deserves a box of the ultimate comfort food.

So, does butter expire or go bad? Eventually, yes—but far more slowly than many dairy products. Refrigerated butter stays fresh for months, and cultured butter lasts even longer because of its natural acidity. If it smells sour or develops a waxy, dull color, it’s time to retire it. Airtight storage is your ally. Keep butter wrapped tightly to protect it from absorbing flavors from the fridge.

Can you freeze butter? Absolutely. Freezing is one of the best ways to preserve flavor and freshness. Stash extra sticks or blocks in an airtight bag and freeze for up to a year. When you’re ready to use it, thaw it gradually in the fridge to preserve texture.

Can you substitute butter for oil? In many cases, yes. Melted butter can replace oil one-to-one in baking, adding deeper flavor and a tender crumb. For stovetop cooking, butter adds more richness than oil. If you’re using it instead of oil in a recipe, just watch the heat so the milk solids don’t burn.

Where can I buy butter near me? Find a Murray’s in New York City and across the country using our map. We also ship nationwide, so you can get the best butter shipped to your door.

Whether you’re ready to explore French butter, stock up for baking, or simply elevate your weeknight toast, Murray’s is your destination for artisan butter online. Shop our full butter selection, discover your new favorites, and taste why butter is having its very well-deserved moment.