If you’ve been looking for an alternative to peanut butter, you may have discovered sunflower butter. This protein-packed, delicious alternative is a healthier and allergen-friendly option. But how long does it last? Is there a difference in the shelf life compared to the nut butter you might be used to buying? We’ve done the research for you so that you can be sure your sunflower butter is still fresh and safe to eat.
Sunflower butter lasts one year from the manufacture date when unopened. Once opened, sunflower butter will last 1-2 months. It will stay fresher longer if refrigerated, although refrigeration is not required.
If you’re new to using sunflower butter, or you have some unanswered questions about this delicious alternative to tree nut butters, you came to the right place! Keep reading to find out how to tell if your sunflower butter has gone bad, why it sometimes turns green, and the many ways you can use it in your recipes for breakfast, lunch, or dinner!
Does Sunflower Butter Expire?
Sunflower butter does expire. If there is no ‘use by’ date on the packaging, look for the manufacture date. According to most manufacturers and the USDA, you can safely assume that sunflower butter has a shelf life of one year from the date of manufacture.
Once opened, your sunflower butter will expire more quickly. Generally, it will last 1-2 months after being opened. Refrigeration is optional and based on personal preference. However, refrigerating your sunflower butter will make it stay fresher longer. If you choose not to refrigerate, store it in a cool, dry place.
How Do You Know Sunflower Butter Is Bad?
Unfortunately, fresh sunflower butter and spoiled sunflower butter look pretty much identical. The best way to tell if your sunflower butter has gone bad is by the smell and/or taste.
First, open the jar and see if you notice anything off about the smell. Sunflower butter that has gone bad may smell sour or rancid. If it smells normal, but you are still unsure, grab a spoon to do a taste test. Expect a rancid, sour, or otherwise-off taste if your sunflower butter has gone bad. If you don’t identify any of these signs, then your sunflower butter should still be fine and safe to eat.
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Why Does SunButter Turn Green?
If you’ve tried baking with sunflower butter according to your usual recipe, your baked goods might have turned green. Don’t worry! They are still good, and this is completely harmless. Sunflower seeds have chlorophyll in them, and so does your sunflower butter. This chlorophyll reacts with the baking powder or baking soda when heated. Once it cools, the color turns green. Perhaps a fun science experiment, but not an ideal look for your cookies!
To resolve this, try reducing your baking powder or baking soda amount by about 1/3. Adding a splash of lemon juice to your recipe is another helpful option. Either of these tricks can help you avoid the green color in your baked goods without any major impact on your final product. Although, you may consider leaving it there around the holidays!
What Do You Eat With SunButter?
SunButter can easily replace a tree nut butter in any recipe. Some recipes may even taste better with SunButter. This truly versatile spread can add vitamins, protein, healthy fats, and delicious taste to your snacks and meals at any time of day.
Breakfast
Pineapple Sunbutter Oatmeal
These simple ingredients create an unexpectedly delicious combination. As we approach the summer months, the tangy sweetness of pineapple is the perfect fruit to combine with the saltiness of your protein-packed SunButter. This recipe really takes your morning oatmeal to the next level.
SunButter Yogurt Parfait
Nothing is easier than a yogurt parfait. Combine your SunButter with equal amounts of vanilla yogurt and layer it up work fruit and granola. You’ll have a nutritious breakfast that tastes just as good as it looks!
SunButter Banana Raisin Bread
We know you became a banana bread pro during quarantine. If you’re looking for a new twist on an old favorite, try this recipe! By adding SunButter, we found a delicious way to pack in the vitamins, nutrients, and protein to start your day right.
Lunch
SB&J
SunButter can be a lifesaver if your child is a picky eater, and you need to pack lunch they can take to a nut-free school. Swap out your peanut butter with the classic SunButter and Jelly sandwich. Both you and the kids will enjoy this one!
SunButter and Banana Sandwich
Another simple replacement for a classic. Try SunButter and banana sandwiches for lunch. Or Sunbutter with banana on a slice of multigrain toast for breakfast.
SunButter Hummus
Hummus is great for a snack or lunch. Use it with pita bread and fresh vegetables for a refreshing boost in the middle of your day. This recipe adds a half cup of SunButter for an extra kick of flavor and nutrition.
Dinner
SunButter Chicken Enchiladas
This recipe blends a half cup of creamy SunButter with the taco sauce to create a nutty, savory flavor that you didn’t know you needed until now. Give this a try for a new take on your chicken enchiladas.
SunButter BBQ Ribs
In this recipe, you’ll use 2/3 cup of creamy SunButter in the sauce for your ribs. You’ll baste the rubs with the SunButter sauce every 30min for 2 hours or until the meat easily comes off the bone. If you are tired of making the same old dinners, this is a recipe you want to try.
Dessert
We couldn’t leave out the dessert! SunButter is excellent for making sweet treats.
SunButter Brownie Bites
The perfect salty-sweet combo. These brownie bites infused with SunButter are another delicious twist on a classic. Perfect for adding a little sweetness to your day or to bring to a gathering and share with the whole group!
SunButter Apple Cinnamon Muffins
This sweet treat is a delicious combination of refreshing fall flavors that you could easily eat all year round. Pack this with your lunch, or serve them for dessert after dinner. For extra sweetness and more SunButter flavor, check out the recipe we found for SunButter icing below.
SunButter Icing
Sunbutter, margarine, and powdered sugar – that’s all you need. While this isn’t a dessert itself, feel free to spread it on either of the desserts above, any other sweet treat, or just your spoon will do! This icing is perfect for cakes, cookies, muffins, brownies, and much more.
In Closing
Sunflower butter is an excellent choice if you or others around you have a tree nut allergy. It’s also great if you are looking for a less processed alternative to peanut butter. Take a look at the ingredients, and you’ll see a much shorter and easier to pronounce list of ingredients in your SunButter.
Sunflower butter has a pretty decent shelf life, and as you have learned here, it has tons of uses in the kitchen. This product is incredibly versatile and delicious. We hope you enjoy the recipes we’ve shared, and we’re confident that you’ll be using up your SunButter way before its expiration date.
Before you go, check out these related articles on other items that need to be in your pantry and hope to keep your shelves stocked for a year.
14 American Staple Foods That Should Be In Your Pantry
How To Stock A Pantry For A Year [Steps And Food Lists]
