The 8 Best Butter Dishes, According to Chefs

Best Decorative

Anthropologie Old Havana Butter Dish

$34 at Anthropologie

While the best butter dishes are convenient, they aren't always beautiful. But that isn't true with the Old Havana Butter Dish from Anthropologie. Handmade in Portugal, each dish is unique thanks to the reactive crackle glaze finish that leaves intricate patterns etched across every piece. Plus, you can choose from two gorgeous colors: mint and iris blue to coordinate with your favorite stoneware dinnerware set.

But it doesn't sacrifice function for beauty, as this sturdy and durable piece will likely last you for a long time, and you can even put it in the dishwasher. Make sure not to soak it for long periods if you decide to handwash it instead, as that can degrade the crackle glaze. Overall, the only drawback is that this dish is a bit narrow, so you may have trouble fitting wider sticks of butter inside.

Dimensions: 7.25 x 4.25 inches | Material: Stoneware | Dishwasher-Safe: Yes

Best Splurge

Le Creuset European Butter Dish

$50 at Amazon $50 at Wayfair $50 at Lecreuset.com

Famous for its durability, the signature stoneware from French cookware brand Le Creuset stands the test of time, which is why this butter dish is our best overall pick and a favorite among professionals. It's microwave-, oven-, and freezer-safe, so your butter can reach a wide range of temperatures. Suitable for two sticks of butter, the roomy dish comes in handy when having guests over for an outdoor brunch.

The enamel finish resists stains and scratches and is nearly nonstick, so even if you prefer compound butter, it easily wipes clean. Though this butter dish is dishwasher-safe, if it becomes stained, the manufacturer recommends soaking it in warm soapy water first.

Dimensions: 6.75 x 5 x 3.5 inches | Material: Stoneware | Dishwasher-Safe: Yes

Most Innovative

Butterie Flip-Top Butter Dish

$20 at Amazon View on Butteriedish.com

If you've ever encountered the greasy mess that can ensue when you're fiddling with butter in a butter dish, then you know what a pain it can be to clean. Butterie's Flip-Top Butter Dish helps you avoid that issue with an attached lid that you can flip open with a single finger, so you don't have to worry about getting buttery fingerprints all over the dish or accidentally dropping the lid. It can fit two 8-ounce sticks of butter or one block of European butter, and it's perfect for keeping it at room temperature on the counter or storing it in the fridge.

It comes with a matching spreader that fits in a convenient nook, and it has handles on the side for simple transport. The lid also snaps off for easy cleaning by hand or in the dishwasher, but be warned that it may be a pain to put the dish back together when you're done. This won't be your best option for an airtight seal either, so it's better for households that go through butter pretty quickly.

Dimensions: 9 x 5.5 x 3 inches | Material: Plastic | Dishwasher-Safe: Yes

Best Plastic

OXO Good Grips Butter Dish

$12 at Amazon $12 at Target $12 at Oxo

Whenever you buy something from OXO, you know the company's engineers have figured out how to make the best and most affordable version possible. This dish has clear measurement markings, so you can easily cut the right amount of tablespoons depending on your recipe. Plus, there are stoppers on both sides of the base, so the butter stays in place while cutting. Another excellent detail is that this butter dish works well with long, short, slim, and thick sticks of butter.

This butter dish is pretty enough to bring to the table and functional enough to be incredibly useful. Just make sure you store it away from the stovetop range or toaster, as the plastic is not safe near high heat.

Dimensions: 7.8 x 3.1 x 2.1 inches | Material: Plastic | Dishwasher-Safe: Yes

Best Crock

Butter Bell The Original Butter Bell Crock

$30 at Amazon $29 at Walmart

If you're a self-proclaimed butter connoisseur, you might want to go beyond the butter dish and opt for a classic French crock shape instead. This one even has lovely detailing like "butter" written in English on one side and in French on the other. If you make your own butter, it actually might last longer in this crock than a typical butter dish.

Also known as a butter bell, it relies on water in the dish. In a nutshell, you add water to the base of the crock to keep the butter cool. Then you scrape a stick of butter into the top bell-shaped section of the container. The unit seals when you close both sections together, keeping the butter fresher for longer. Tip: You might want to change the water a few times a week for optimal freshness.

It's worth noting that this butter dish comes with a learning curve, so if you want something simple, this is probably not the best option for you. Also, you'll want to wash it after every use to keep mold from forming, but luckily, it's dishwasher-safe.

Dimensions: 3.94 x 3.94 x 4.13 inches | Material: Stoneware | Dishwasher-Safe: Yes

Best Large

DOWAN utter Dish

$16 at Amazon $16 at Wayfair View on Dowan.com

This oversized butter dish can hold eight ounces of butter, two four-ounce sticks of butter, or one great European-style slab. It's designed to be used for multiple purposes, so while you can use it for butter, you can also store candy or cookies inside or even use it to serve side dishes like potatoes and roasted vegetables.

The silicone seal keeps butter fresh, but before closing the lid, you should check that the gasket (the actual part that seals) is on correctly. Overall, this dish has room for multiple sticks of butter and keeps them at the perfect temperature for spreading on toast or baking.

Dimensions: 7.8 x 4.1 x 4.8 inches | Material: Porcelain with a wood cover | Dishwasher-Safe: Yes (hand-wash the lid)

Best for the Fridge

Rubbermaid Standard Butter Dish

Orig. $11 $10 at Amazon $12 at Walmart $8 at Ace Hardware

If you prefer functionality over form, this is the best butter dish for you. It's about as basic as butter dishes come: A clear plastic rectangular lid that snaps securely atop a red base. Designed similarly to an airtight food storage container, it prevents the butter from smelling or tasting like other foods in the refrigerator. Though this dish will help make your butter more spreadable, it's not necessarily the dish you'd want on the patio table for formal dinners al fresco.

If you love kitschy retro trends, this will make you very happy. And if you don't want an investment piece but rather something to store butter in, you won't be disappointed. Remember to peel off the wrapper from around the stick of butter before placing it in the butter dish, and for best results, keep it in the refrigerator until about an hour before you need the butter soft.

Dimensions: 7.79 x 2.09 x 3.06 inches | Material: Plastic | Dishwasher-Safe: Yes

Chef Favorite

Sweese Butter Dish with Lid

Orig. $26 $21 at Amazon

If you want to bring the feel of a cozy diner to your kitchen, consider this chef-recommended butter dish. It's made of sturdy professional-grade porcelain, so wear and tear won't be an issue. It also has thicker walls than other porcelain butter dishes, so you can keep this dish and your butter in the fridge without worrying that it will completely harden. For busy bakers, you can't beat the durability of this butter dish.

You can also safely pop it into the microwave for a few seconds to soften the butter if needed. This butter dish has very clever details, including the knob for easy removal and the small ridge on the dish that keeps the butter perfectly centered while keeping out dust.

Dimensions: 7.8 x 4.1 x 4.8 inches | Material: Porcelain | Dishwasher-Safe: Yes