15 Top Butter Dishes To Keep Your Butter Fresh

Comment author avatar
S.A. Yanes Modified: March 10, 2022
15 Top Butter Dishes To Keep Your Butter Fresh

When you’re running late for work, it’s easier to just slide a slice of bread in the toaster and spread some butter on it when it’s done. This is why having butter readily available on your kitchen counter will always come in handy. This is where a butter dish comes in.

A butter dish is a container designed to protect butter from elements such as light and air that can affect its quality. With this useful kitchen tool in hand, you’ll be gliding a knife through velvet-soft butter without having to thaw it first. Though you can freeze butter to maintain its quality, there’s nothing more heavenly than the smoothness of this dairy product when it’s at room temperature.

Now’s the time to give your butter a shelter of its own! Keep on reading to know our top picks for this year, as well as what to consider when you’re buying a butter dish. 

Our Favorite Butter Dishes at a Glance

Top 15 Butter Dishes (A Closer Look)

If you’re wondering about the best butter dishes to buy, well, think no more! We’ve rounded up the most outstanding and stylish butter keepers just for you.

1. Our Best Pick: OXO Good Grips Butter Dish

What We Love

  • Affordable
  • Versatile
  • Durable

What We Don't Love

  • Doesn’t have a locking device on the lid

Don’t be fooled by the low cost of this particular butter holder! It definitely serves its purpose of keeping your butter fresh as you make a rich sauce, say, for a bow tie pasta.

Some of the things you’ll love about this butter dish are its non-slip grip bottom and side stoppers. These features will keep butter sticks in place even as you slice them. This butter container also has convenient tablespoon measurement markings, a feature that comes in handy when you’re baking. It allows you to get proper measurements easily, making every meal preparation a lot faster.

Moreover, you’ll know straight away how much butter is left inside because of this container’s clear lid that is also easy to remove and put back! And because of its stainless steel body, this butter dish is fancy enough to be on display on dinner tables. It can hold both the West Coast (short and fat) butter sticks and East Coast (long and skinny) butter sticks. You also don’t have to worry about damaging it with a dishwasher as it’s dishwasher-safe too.

2. Best Butter Dish With Lid: Sweese Porcelain Butter Dish with Lid

What We Love

  • Elegant design
  • Functional
  • Comes in different colors

What We Don't Love

  • Not dishwasher safe

This white porcelain butter dish is gorgeous without sacrificing functionality. Brimming with elegance, this stylish dish is perfect for a fancy table setting as its classic white color will surely match any decor. You’ll also be glad to know that this dish is also available in different colors!

In terms of structure, this butter dish is made with lead-free and non-toxic professional-grade porcelain. It comes with a flat base and a full lid with a little knob on top, allowing you to lift the cover without hassle. The inner lip or ridge that it features will prevent slide-off incidents when transferring the dish from one place to another.

This dish top is longer than most other butter holders and wide enough for more than one slab of butter. However, it only takes up a small space in your kitchen counter. Now, the only thing you need to worry about is washing it with your hands as the butter dish is not dishwasher-safe.

3. Best Luxury: Le Creuset Heritage Butter Dish

What We Love

  • High-quality stoneware material
  • Large capacity
  • Scratches resistant
  • Broiler, microwave, and oven-safe

What We Don't Love

  • Pricey
  • The dish wobbles

If you want a posh butter keeper to go with your elegant kitchen setting, this luxurious serving dish is your best choice! Just look at its shiny stone design. Of course, it’s also very good at keeping your butter fresh, even up to a few weeks. So rest assured you’ll be using fresh butter when you decide to make some delish buttermilk pancakes. We love a butter dish that is beautiful and helpful at the same time.

Made of stoneware materials that prevent moisture absorption, this butter dish isn’t prone to cracking or crazing. It has an impermeable exterior enamel, making it resistant to scratches caused by other utensils.

Want to store more than one butter stick? The good news is that this pottery butter dish is spacious enough to shelter two pieces. It’s also nearly non-stick so cleaning it is easy. Put it in a dishwasher, in a broiler, or a microwave oven, and you won’t see any damages!

4. Best Budget-Friendly: Rubbermaid Standard Butter Dish

What We Love

  • Lightweight
  • Durable
  • Affordable

What We Don't Love

  • You can’t slice through the butter completely because of the raised lip or ridge

This butter dish may look basic in terms of design, but its capabilities will surprise you. Because it’s made with thick plastic (both the dish and the lid), it’s easy to carry around and it’s unlikely to break when you drop it. This butter keeper also has a clear base or cover, which lets you check the quality and quantity of the butter without a sweat. The ridge that comes with it will prevent the butter from sliding. You can also easily clean and store it as it’s dishwasher-safe and very compact.

So if you’re looking for a simple yet completely functional dish, this butter keeper is perfect for you! And what’s even better is that it costs less compared to other butter dishes. With this, you can have ready-to-use butter any time you want to make some garlic bread.

5. Most Durable: Modern Bamboo Butter Dish with Lid

What We Love

  • Durable
  • Lightweight
  • Microwave-friendly
  • Dishwasher-safe

What We Don't Love

  • Material may absorb oil

When it comes to durability, this modern bamboo butter keeper with a lid is our best bet. This eco-friendly container is made from lightweight and sturdy bamboo so you need not worry about it easily breaking. Aside from the materials it’s made of, this butter dish also has a praiseworthy contemporary Scandinavian design!

Function-wise, the ridges on the sides are designed to keep the butter from getting everywhere as you slice. This heavy-duty butter dish can accommodate East Coast, West Coast, and even larger pieces of European butter. The good news is, your butter won’t even touch the sides due to this container’s capacious form. Plus, it’s microwave-friendly and dishwasher-safe as well.

6. Best Vintage: Jadeite Butter Dish

What We Love

  • Vintage design
  • Dishwasher-safe

What We Don't Love

  • A bit narrow to hold more than one stick of butter

As for the best vintage model, the Jadeite Butter Dish is the jewel in the crown. Jadeite glass tableware was all the rage during the mid-20th century, especially in the United States. This doesn’t mean that it’s a thing of the past, though, as it’s close to modern butter dishes when it comes to versatility and functionality.

This nice jade-green kitchen fixture has a nostalgic charm to it. The linear patterns on the lid and its overall design are delightfully vintage. Despite its intricate appearance, however, this butter keeper is a little heavier than most butter dishes because of the material it’s made of.

The Jadeite Butter Dish is well-spaced for a butter stick that you’ll be using for sumptuous dishes like a three-cheese mac and cheese. Now, if you’re looking for a container that can hold more than two pieces of butter, you’re better off looking somewhere else. It’s dishwasher-safe though, so cleaning it post-cooking will be a piece of cake.

7. Most Quirky: DOWAN Large Whale Butter Porcelain Dish

What We Love

  • Large capacity
  • Unique design
  • Measurement marks

What We Don't Love

  • Not scratch-resistant

We’re loving this adorable whale-inspired butter keeper from DOWAN! Its fun and distinct design will add undeniable charm to your dining tables and kitchen counters that your guests will continue to rave about it even after they finish visiting.

The covered butter dish is as efficient as it’s eye-catching. One of the many things we love about this fun dish is its large capacity. It has more than enough space for either Eastern Coast or West Coast butter. There’s also a space between the back of the lid and the fishtail where you can place your butter knife. The fishtail serves as a handle, and there’s also a raised line on that part which will keep it from slipping off.

This serving utensil also has a whale spray as a knob, making it easy to remove and place the lid back. Baking? There are scale lines for convenient measuring. This peculiar dish is highly durable as well. You can put it into a dishwasher after use, and it’s microwave and freezer-safe too. If fun and highly functional are two factors you might be looking for in butter dishes, then you’re in luck with this product.

8. Most Versatile: SveBake Enamel Butter Boat with Beechwood Lid

What We Love

  • Large capacity
  • Durable
  • Multi-purpose
  • Easy to clean

What We Don't Love

  • No stoppers to keep the butter from touching the sides of the dish

Some butter dishes are designed to simply hold a single stick of butter. But this isn’t the case with this high-quality butter dish with a lid. The Svebake Enamel Butter Boat is made of porcelain enamel, making it sturdier and more durable than ceramic or glass butter keepers. In terms of aesthetics, it’s definitely eye-catching!

With a length of 6.1 inches, a width of 3.9 inches, and a 2.5-inch height, any butter style can fit in this dish without problems. In fact, it can hold two sticks of East Coast butter or a cube of West Coast butter. Because of its deep-well design, the dairy product won’t even come close to touching the wood lid.

Aside from keeping the butter inside, its beechwood lid can also be used as a serving or cutting board. So, should you want to bake some homemade butter biscuits, you can just slice the dairy ingredient right on top of the lid! You’ll have to clean the lid by hand, though, but this little inconvenience should be the least of your concerns.

9. Best Modern Version: SWEEJAR Ceramics Butter Dish with Lid

What We Love

  • Durable
  • Thick wall design
  • Dishwasher, microwave, and oven-safe

What We Don't Love

  • No ridges or stoppers to keep the butter from sliding of

With its unique, classy design and efficiency in keeping your butter fresh, this modern dish truly deserves a spot on this list. Fashioned from durable ceramics, this butter dish has a thick wall design, meaning it can go at room temperature and in the fridge without you having to worry about the butter changing consistency. You can even leave it out in the open and you know you’ll still be using the freshest butter for this succulent lobster tail.

This lovely butter holder is also designed to keep different sizes of butter sticks, so just pick butter of any proportion when shopping. Cleaning this dish after use will also be a breeze as it’s dishwasher-friendly. It’s also resistant to heat from microwaves and ovens!

10. Best Glass Dish: Arc International Cow Butter Dish

What We Love

  • Sturdy and durable
  • Dishwasher-safe

What We Don't Love

  • No handle or knob for lifting and easy gripping

Your butter will surely stay the freshest when you make use of this glass container. This cow butter dish originated in France and is basically made of the finest materials you can use when making glass. So fine that you won’t be switching from one butter keeper to another since it can practically last for years!

One of its most helpful features is that it allows you to see how much butter you have left. Of course, let’s not overlook its large capacity. You can keep two kinds of butter inside this dish, and watch them retain their quality over time.

Furthermore, this butter dish has a solid lid to protect your butter from light, air, and even bacteria. It also comes with a base where you can place the butter as you cut it. Easily clean and store it as it’s dishwasher-friendly and won’t take too much space in your kitchen or dining area.

11. Best Plastic Dish: Prepworks Butter Keeper

What We Love

  • Durable
  • Airtight silicone seal
  • Measurement marks
  • Dishwasher-safe

What We Don't Love

  • No handle to move or lift the dish
  • Has a smaller capacity

This plastic butter holder looks plain, but as they say, looks can be deceiving. The Prepworks Butter Dish is a stand-out from other basic-looking plastic butter containers, and you’ll soon find out why.

First off, this butter holder is made of quality plastic, meaning you won’t have to worry about the dish breaking and your kids hurting themselves. This dish is also absolutely durable and long-lasting thanks to its well-made material. Its measurement marking will also be a big help when you’re baking. There’s no more guesstimating whenever you slice butter for a cherry dump cake!

The only downside to this otherwise fantastic butter keeper? It can only hold smaller amounts of dairy product. However, its other prime features outweigh the small drawback. This butter dish will still surely keep your butter fresh for a long period of time!

12. Best Ceramic: KooK Ceramic Butter Dish with Handle Cover Design

What We Love

  • Ceramic material
  • Highly durable
  • Easy to clean

What We Don't Love

  • The lid is not transparent
  • Expensive

Made of quality ceramic material, this is yet another tough dish to keep your butter at a great consistency, so you can effectively use it for a delicious whipped honey butter recipe. It comes in a classic white color, making it perfect for any kitchen setting. Moreover, the lid is engraved with the word “Butter” which makes it all the more unique.

This stellar butter dish has a length of 7.5 inches, a width of 3.75 inches, and a 3.5-inch height. Hence, it can hold different sizes of butter sticks. It also has an inner ridge that prevents the butter from falling off. Since it’s made from ceramic, you can’t see through the inside of the dish, but it has a nice handle that you can use to lift and cover the butter. It’s fun that way, too!

You won’t spend much time cleaning this butter dish as it’s dishwasher-friendly. You also won’t have to worry about putting it in the microwave and freezer as it can withstand extreme temperatures! This ceramic butter keeper is a bit expensive, but it’s definitely worth every penny.

13. Best Stoneware: Now Designs Butter Dish

What We Love

  • Quality stoneware materials
  • Elegant design
  • Dishwasher, microwave, freezer-safe

What We Don't Love

  • No ridges or stoppers in the serving tray

This butter dish’s bell-like appearance will take you back to the old sophisticated times! However, it’s still very much in tune with the new trends as its elegant design can mesh well with any kitchen interior. Of course, it keeps your butter smooth and easy to spread. The lidded butter container is made of quality stoneware materials, meaning it’s as durable as it looks.

This simple but all-around butter dish measures 8-inches long, 4-inches tall, and 4.5-inches wide. Hence, it can hold different sizes of butter, may it be short or long sticks. It also comes with a cover and a knob for easy lifting. Cleaning this serving dish won’t also be too difficult as it’s dishwasher-friendly. Put it in the microwave and the oven and it’ll be completely safe too.

14. Best Stainless Steel: Norpro Stainless Steel Double Covered Butter Dish

What We Love

  • Minimalist and classy design
  • Large capacity

What We Don't Love

  • No stoppers to keep the butter from sliding off
  • Not dishwasher-friendly

What we love about this butter holder is its simple yet elegant design. Made of quality stainless steel, this classy shiny butter dish can be a nice addition to your countertops and tabletops. If you want a fancy way of serving your butter, this butter holder is for you!

This lovely serving tray comes with a cover that can keep butter or cream cheese safe. In terms of capacity, you can place two butter sticks and a block of cream cheese inside and it won’t look stuffed. However, this butter dish is not dishwasher-friendly so we suggest that you wash it by hand.

15. Best Butter Crock: Butter Bell The Original Butter Bell Crock

What We Love

  • Available in a variety of vibrant colors
  • Durable
  • Quality ceramic material

What We Don't Love

  • Can only hold one stick of butter
  • The butter slips into the water

Good ol’ regular butter dishes can perfectly keep your butter’s freshness and supposed texture, but for a change, why not store it in a butter crock?

This butter crock or butter bell is made of high-quality ceramics that come in two parts: an inverted bell-shaped lid where you can place your butter, and a bottom crock that you have to fill with water.

To keep your butter ready to use anytime, you have to place the bell, upside down, inside the crock. The water forms pressure that keeps your butter from having contact with air, preserving its firmness and sweetness for weeks. Just keep in mind to change the water regularly. The snag is, when the butter dish is hot, the butter might melt. So, it’s best to keep the crock in the fridge.

In terms of capacity, it can only hold one butter stick. But when it comes to cleaning it post-use, know that it’s easy to clean as it’s dishwasher-safe.

What to Look Out for When Choosing a Butter Dish

top view of white butter holder

These dishes may just be a container meant for butter storage, but the dairy itself is a very important ingredient for everyday and special dishes. So, it’s only right to get proper containers that will keep them fresh and tasty. We’ve rounded up the factors you should consider before buying a butter dish:

Materials and Durability

Butter dishes come in a wide range of shapes, designs, and materials. A pro-tip in choosing the best is picking what best fits your lifestyle or needs. Always follow and trust your preferences.

  • Plastic – inexpensive, lightweight, and highly durable. 
  • Ceramic – sturdy and long-lasting, perfect for fancy dinners. 
  • Stoneware – durable and matches marble kitchen counters. 
  • Glass – long-lasting, attractive, and goes with high-end kitchen decor.
  • Stainless Steel – durable, easy to clean, and adaptable to any kitchen interior.

Size and Capacity

The size is also an important factor when choosing the best butter holder. Generally, the larger the butter container is, the better. Some serving dishes can only hold a single butter stick while some can accommodate more. Of course, with more than enough room, you need not worry about your butter touching the lid or the sides. So yes, size does matter when it comes to these butter dishes.

Cleaning and Maintenance

Butter tends to slide around, especially if the dish doesn’t have stoppers or ridges to keep it from moving. It can really be messy, especially if you’re baking. If you’re not fond of washing greasy film off butter dishes, then always pick the dishwasher-friendly ones.

Was this page helpful?

Read Next: 9 Best Quesadilla Makers That Are Easy To Use (And Clean!)

S.A. Yanes

S.A. Yanes is a fiction writer, poet, book blogger, and content editor. At Recipes.net, she writes food ingredient guides, product reviews, and more. Prior to that, she has worked in a publishing house and was the brand manager of an up-and-coming writing and reading online platform. She has written numerous short fictions as well as engaging bible stories for children. She's also a certified foodie with an immense love for anything cheesy and chocolatey.