Red Feather brand canned butter

Red Feather Canned Butter – Shelf Stable Butter In A Can

Red Feather canned butter from New Zealand (based in Australia). Yes, it’s expensive compared to ordinary store-bought butter. However, it is a shelf stable canned butter requiring no refrigeration. It has a good shelf life, and is an option for one’s long term storage /preparedness and other practical conveniences.

What Is Red Feather Canned Butter?

It’s a shelf stable natural, pure canned butter without the necessity of refrigeration.

“For generations, the distinctive red and gold Red Feather brand has reminded people of the delicious taste of pure Australian and New Zealand butter. From country paddocks of rich green grass comes the milk that makes the butter that brings the fine flavours to Red Feather.”

statement from Red Feather Butter brand

Who makes Red Feather butter and where does it come from?

Red Feather brand canned butter is manufactured by Ballantyne Foods, a third generation, family-owned dairy production company based in Melbourne, Victoria (Australia). The largest producer of canned butter in the world.

old photo of Ballantyne food company in Melbourne Australia

If you have been looking to add REAL canned butter rather than powdered or freeze dried butter to your long term food storage, look no further… Red Feather canned butter tastes great!

Where To Buy Red Feather Butter

Sourced through distributors in the US (via amzn),

12 Pack
24 Pack

red feather butter in a can

“We have found a canned butter that actually tastes better than any gourmet butter we had ever tried and with an indefinite shelf life, no refrigeration is necessary!”

“I bought this butter for long term storage but anticipated opening one can to test it. OMG! This butter is fabulous. It’s much denser than American butter, it’s not watery and doesn’t separate when melted. There is no watery milky residue on the bottom of the dish, just pure butter. It’s very thick/solid and tastes just fine.”

This can contains 12 oz of butter – which works out to three traditional sticks of butter.

shelf life of canned butter

Red Feather Canned Butter Shelf Life

Apparently an indefinite shelf life if stored properly. In fact, I’ve not seen ‘expiration’ dates on the can. When you do see one, it’s the manufacture date.

I’ve read other mentions too. Here’s a quote:

“Sealed airtight for maximum freshness, their canned butter delivers convenience in the form of extended shelf life and easy distribution without the necessity of refrigeration, Shelf stable for 10 years.”

“Just opened a can of butter that is five years old. Has been stored in the basement where it is cool. Just as good as the day I bought it.”

from a reader of the blog

Once opened, refrigerate unused portion.
(see storage tip below)

Tip: My experience has been that typical “best by” or “sell by” dates on canned foods are not when they “go bad”. Here’s an article I wrote about what these terms really mean:

[ Read: Use-by, Best-by, Sell-by | Food Expiration Dates ]

Red Feather Canned Butter Ingredients

Red Feather Canned Butter Ingredients:

  • Pasteurized Cream
  • Salt

No preservatives with names you can’t pronounce! No food coloring’s or chemicals of any kind, just naturally made wholesome butter.

Serving Size; 1 Tbsp. (14g)
Servings per container: 24
Calories; 100
Calories from fat 100


Total fat; 11g
Saturated fat; 7g
Cholesterol; 30mg
Sodium; 100mg
Total Carbohydrates; 0g
Protein; 0g
Vitamin A

Why Would You Buy Canned Butter?

Yes, it’s expensive. You’re paying for a shelf-stable real butter product that does not require refrigeration until you open a can.

Not only is it good for general prepping & preparedness, it has other conveniences too…

Would also recommend for camping or hunting camp. Places where you may not have electricity. It’s better than dried powder – hands down…

“Finally tried a can of this butter and wow, tastes better than store bought stuff and melts great and even spreads well.” said another on the blog.

TIP: You can freeze ordinary butter for long term storage too. But it obviously requires electricity..

Butter Storage Tip

Although they say to “refrigerate unused portion”, I would highly recommend to simply buy a “BUTTERBELL BUTTER KEEPER”. This is what is commonly used in Europe and elsewhere for fresh butter storage. Butter kept in a Butter Bell with a tiny bit of water added in the bowl – will last shelf stable up to 30 days. As long as you change the water ever few days.

[Ken adds:] We have been using the following Butter Bell Crock for years. They’re great!

The Original Butter Bell Crock
(amzn)

[ Read: Are Dented Cans Safe? Here’s How To Tell ]