With household budgets under strain from rising food prices, Tesco has issued a simple piece of advice to help UK shoppers save money and reduce waste this festive season. The supermarket giant is focusing on a common kitchen staple: butter.
The clever freezer hack for your butter
Tesco's guidance is succinct and practical. On its website, the retailer poses a question many will recognise: "Bought more butter without realising you already had some?" Its 11-word solution is: "Pop one packet in the freezer, ready to have on standby."
This tip is particularly useful for families who may have stocked up ahead of Christmas cooking and baking. Freezing butter can dramatically prolong its usability, preventing it from spoiling and ending up in the bin—a costly mistake given current prices.
How to freeze and use butter correctly
Tesco provides clear instructions for those looking to store butter in the freezer. The key is to "Keep in its original wrapper or wrap in foil."
The supermarket also offers advice on using frozen butter. It can be melted directly from frozen into recipes. For baking, grating frozen butter is recommended, as "chilled butter is key for light, tender pastry." Tesco suggests using your frozen stash in recipes like a store cupboard cornflake tart or a baked fig and custard tart.
Why this advice matters now
This guidance comes at a time when the cost of butter has seen a significant increase. According to the Office for National Statistics, the average price of a 250g block of butter rose from £2 in March 2024 to £2.43 in January 2025.
Currently, across UK supermarkets, a 250g block of butter typically costs between £2 and £3.50. At Tesco specifically, the cheapest option is its own-brand Tesco British Unsalted Butter 250G for £1.99, while the most expensive is Président French Slightly Salted Spreadable 250g at £3.60.
For anyone looking to maximise their fridge's efficiency or who finds their butter approaching its use-by date, freezing presents an excellent and economical option. This simple act can help households manage their budgets better and contribute to reducing the nation's food waste.
