Before Tossing Out Your Butter Wrapper, Use It In The Microwave

In many kitchens these days, almost nothing goes to waste. From composting banana peels to repurposing leftover spaghetti like Giada De Laurentiis, we're always looking to make the most out of our purchases from the supermarket. Butter prices are among those that are higher than ever, which makes every last bit that clings to the wrapper a precious commodity. Thankfully, those butter-laden wrappers can be recycled in a way that not only keeps you from throwing money in the trash but also saves you some effort when it comes time to spruce up the kitchen.

Melting butter in the microwave is the easiest way to get that liquid gold you need for various culinary concoctions, but it makes a mess. If you place the wrapper over the container holding your flavorsome spread, however, it will prevent the fat from splattering all over the inside of your appliance. This technique works just as well when softening the dairy ingredient, which is sometimes necessary when a recipe calls for room-temperature butter. As a bonus, all the fat that clings to the wrapper will get used as well.

Of course, you won't always be melting half of a cup at once, so it's best to save the wrapper for whenever you use the last of a stick. By planning ahead and storing them correctly, you can have those useful butter wrappers on hand at all times.

Once you've scraped off the last of your butter from the wrapper, flatten it, grab an airtight food storage bag, and place it inside to store it. You can do this repeatedly with additional wrappers, as the scant amount of remaining fat will keep them from sticking together. When stored in the fridge, they will last two weeks past the package date. If you want to freeze them for longer-term storage, they should last six to nine months. This works with all butter brands, from the best to the worst, although you should keep in mind that foil wrappers should not be warmed in the microwave because metal in the microwave can be dangerous.

However, those foil envelopes can still serve a purpose because you aren't limited to using the wrappers as a cover in the microwave. They're also great for greasing muffin tins, cake trays, skillets — really, anything that calls for lubrication before you start cooking. If you end up with an excess, you can also use them to keep food in the freezer from sticking together. While many folks toss their butter wrappers in the trash without blinking an eye, this little hack will save you some time and money that can be put to better use.