Cashew butter has become popular in the past several years with many people realizing its health benefits and delicious flavor but many people also want to know how long does cashew butter last?

Cashew butter is easy to make, and is a nutrient dense, delicious and super versatile ingredient to have on hand. But how long does cashew butter last, particularly when made from home? If you purchase a jar of cashew butter the manufacturer will have put a ‘best before’ or ‘use by date’ to save you the hassle.

But when making cashew butter from scratch it can be hard to know how long you can safely store it. How long your cashew butter will last will depend a lot on how you store it and the utensils you are placing inside of it.

How Long Does Cashew Butter Last

Cashew butter can be a great addition to restrictive diets such as the paleo diet, vegan diets and more. It offers a nutrient packed, deliciously creamy spread that can be used in a variety of ways and in many dishes.

In this guide, I run you through all you need to know about how to tell if cashew butter has gone bad and how to store homemade cashew butter to keep it fresher for longer.

What Is Cashew Butter?

Cashew butter is made from cashew nuts. ‘Raw’ or roasted cashew nuts are pulsed in a food processor or blender until creamy and smooth enough to spread on your toast. Sometimes flavors like salt and sugar are added. Depending on your taste, you can add whatever flavors you wish to your cashew butter.

You can purchase cashew butter from the store but make sure to look for cashew butters that are purely cashew nuts with limited/no additives as these take away from the health benefits and the taste of cashew butter.

When stored, the solids and oils found in the cashew butter will naturally seperate. A very normal process that some people can mistake for spoiling. This can be fixed with a simple stir of the cashew butter.

Cashew butter is full of unsaturated fatty acids, protein, vitamins B6 and K, magnesium, copper, zinc, phosphorus and manganese. It is free of sugar and additives, provided the jar you purchase is pure cashew butter.

Because cashew butter is dairy free, low in sugar and high in good fats it is a great addition to restrictive diets such as vegan or ketogenic. It can be used as a spread on toast to a thickner in soups to a base of a cheesecake.

Click here to buy cashew butter now.

cashew butter
Cashew butter

Does Cashew Butter Go Bad?

Cashew butter, like most food items, can go bad, mostly thanks to the fatty oils found in cashew butter. However the way you store it and the utensils you put inside of it can help it to last longer.

If you want to find out some tips on how to store your cashew butter to make it last as long as possible, you can keep reading below.

How To Tell If Cashew Butter Is Bad

If you are wondering if your cashew butter has gone bad, the best option is to trust your intuition, if you have a feeling it isn’t good, you may be right. If you open your jar of cashew butter and the look and smell is off, you may have expired cashew butter.

There are a few ways you can tell if your cashew butter has gone bad and I will take you through some of those below.

My first tip is mainly for store purchased cashew butter, the rest relate to both store bought and homemade.

Step 1: Inspect The Jar

Have a good look at your jar of cashew butter. Does it appear to have any holes in it? Or does the jar appear swollen or bulging? If so, it may be best to throw it away.

Step 2: Inspect The Cashew Butter

Open your jar of cashew butter and have a good look. Are the solids and oils separated and won’t mix back together? Your cashew butter may need tossing out. Fresh cashew butter is creamy.

If your cashew butter appears hard and dry, it is another indicator it is time to toss it.

Step 3: Smell The Cashew Butter

If you smell your cashew butter and it has an unpleasant or rancid smell it is best to throw it away. Fresh cashew butter has a mild and sweet aroma and should not be giving off any harsh aroma.

Step 4: Have A Tiny Taste

If you taste your cashew butter and it tastes stale, it is a good indicator it is no longer good. Fresh cashew butter has a mild nutty taste that is slightly sweet. It should be creamy in texture.

If you want to read my article about how cashew butter should taste, click here

How Long Does Cashew Butter Last?

How long your cashew butter will last will depend a lot on how you store your cashew butter. Cashew nuts can go rancid fairly quickly if left in hot and moist conditions.

If you are storing your cashew butter in the pantry, ensure it is in a cool and dry condition. Storing your cashew butter in the fridge is going to be the best option for its longevity.

If you have an opened jar of cashew butter or home made cashew butter always ensure the utensils you are placing inside of it are germ free and do not use your fingers.

Store purchased cashew butter is going to come with a best before date. The best before date is a good indicator that the taste of the cashew butter may not be as fresh after the given date. However if you open your jar of cashew butter and it looks, smells and tastes fine, it is generally okay to eat.

Homemade cashew butter is going to spoil the fastest. Make sure you keep your eyes and nose on it if you don’t plan on consuming it quickly.

The Cashew Butter Is…Has Been Stored In…It Will Last For…
An Unopened Jar Pantry6-12 months
Opened Jar Pantry2 months
Fridge 3-6 months
Freshly MadeFridge3 months
Pantry3-4 weeks

How To Store Cashew Butter

The table above refers to the expiration date of cashew butter that has been stored correctly. I will run you through what you can do to get the most out of your cashew butter.

Storing Cashew Butter In The Pantry

You can store unopened cashew butter, opened or freshly made cashew butter in the pantry.

If you are storing your cashew butter in the pantry ensure it is in a cool and dry place that will not be exposed to heat and moisture.

Storing opened jars of cashew butter in the pantry will decrease their shelf life compared to storing it in the fridge.

Storing Cashew Butter In The Fridge

Storing your opened and freshly made jars of cashew butter in the fridge will really increase their shelf life. The cooler the environment, the longer it will take the oils to spoil.

Make sure the lid of your opened jar of cashew butter is tightly screwed on once storing it in the fridge. If you are storing freshly made cashew butter in the fridge, ensure it is in an air tight container.

Can You Freeze Cashew Butter?

Yes, you can freeze cashew butter. You can freeze your cashew butter in ice cube molds for example. Once frozen, place them in a sealed bag in your freezer.

Frozen cashew butter will last between 4-6 months.

Once you are ready to use your cashew butter, you can remove your frozen cashew butter from the freezer and let it come to room temp.

Conclusion

Cashew butter is a delicious, creamy spread that is hard not to enjoy. It is super tasty whether store bought or made at home. However you make it, ensure you are always storing it correctly, with germ free utensils to make sure you always get the most out of your cashew butter.

I hope you have found this guide about how long cashew butter lasts informative and enjoyable.

Click here to buy cashew butter now.

Read more about how cashew butter compares to peanut butter here or whether cashew butter is good for you here. You can also find all our cashew-based guides here or whether it’s good for dogs here.

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