How Long Food Lasts

Dairy Products & Eggs

How long does margarine last?

Quick answer

Margarine keeps 1 month in the fridge and 12 months in the freezer.

Fridge

1month

Freezer

Can be frozen: yes

12months

Pantry

No known time

-

Mine has been in the fridge for

Refreeze after thawing in the fridge?

United States
Yes
United Kingdom
Only after cooking

How long does margarine last in the fridge?

  • Margarine1 month

Your fridge should be set between 0 and 5°C.

Refrigerators should be set to maintain a temperature of 40 °F or below.

How long does margarine last in the freezer?

  • Margarine12 months

Freezer times are for quality; frozen food stays safe.

Your freezer should be around -18°C

A freezer acts as a pause button - food in a freezer won’t go bad and most bacteria cannot grow in it.

Food stored constantly at 0 °F will always be safe. Only the quality suffers with lengthy freezer storage.

Can you freeze margarine?

Yes.

How to defrost margarine safely

  1. In the fridge
  2. In cold water, cook it straight after defrosting
  3. In the microwave, cook it straight after defrosting
  4. Cook it from frozen

You should defrost your food in the fridge so that it doesn’t get too warm

It’s also important to use food within 24 hours after it’s been fully defrosted

There are three safe ways to thaw food: in the refrigerator, in cold water, or in the microwave.

Check the water frequently to be sure it stays cold. Change the water every 30 minutes. After thawing, cook immediately.

It is safe to cook foods from the frozen state. The cooking will take approximately 50% longer than the recommended time for fully thawed or fresh meat and poultry.

Can you refreeze margarine?

  • In the United KingdomOnly after cooking
  • In the United StatesYes

You can freeze food again once cooked, but you’ll only be able to reheat it once after that

Food thawed in the refrigerator can be refrozen without cooking, although there may be some loss of quality.

Foods thawed by the cold water method should be cooked before refreezing.

After cooking raw foods which were previously frozen, it is safe to freeze the cooked foods.

Can margarine be kept out of the fridge?

Official sources give no room-temperature (cupboard) storage time for margarine.

What the official sources say

“Margarine 6 months 6 to 9 months”

“Margarine 6 months 12 months”

“Margarine 6 months 1 year”

“Butter or margarine 1-3 months”

Frequently asked questions

How long does margarine last in the fridge?

Margarine: 1 month.

How long does margarine last in the freezer?

Margarine: 12 months. Freezer times are for quality; frozen food stays safe.

Can you freeze margarine?

Yes.

Can you refreeze margarine?

In the United Kingdom: Only after cooking; In the United States: Yes.

Can margarine be kept out of the fridge?

Official sources give no room-temperature (cupboard) storage time for margarine.

Sources

We always show the most cautious time among official sources. Last checked: 1 October 2026.

Values we do not display (6)

Values below were set aside: unconfirmed by a second independent source, or contradicted by a shorter time.

  • Margarine, fridge: 4-6 months (agrilifeextension.tamu.edu, a source gives a shorter time)
  • Margarine, fridge: 6 months (fsis.usda.gov, a source gives a shorter time)
  • Margarine, fridge: 6 months (ndsu.edu, a source gives a shorter time)
  • Margarine, fridge: 6 months (cmu.edu, a source gives a shorter time)
  • Margarine, fridge: 6 months (fcs.uga.edu, a source gives a shorter time)
  • Margarine, fridge: 6 months (pubs.ext.vt.edu, a source gives a shorter time)