A butter dish keeps a stick of butter covered and within reach, whether it lives on the counter or in the fridge. Designs range from classic lidded trays in ceramic or steel to one-piece plastic dishes with a hinged lid.
The six dishes below cover ceramic, porcelain, stainless steel and plastic, for one stick or two. Sizes, materials and care notes come from each product’s listing page. We have not used these dishes ourselves. Claims about sealing or freshness are the makers’ own.
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What to Look For
| Feature | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Capacity | One stick or two sticks; check the inner length |
| Material | Ceramic is heavy, steel and plastic resist drops |
| Lid style | Separate, attached or latching |
| Care | Dishwasher safe or hand wash only |
Specs at a Glance
| Dish | Size | Material | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| KITCHENDAO | 7.8 x 3.23 x 2.64 in | Plastic with silicone and steel parts | One-press latch; sealing ring; dishwasher safe |
| OXO Good Grips | 7.87 x 2.56 x 2 in | Plastic | Stoppers on both sides; measurement marks |
| Zulay Kitchen | 7.3 x 3.5 x 2.5 in | Porcelain | Stainless knife included; knob lid |
| Norpro 282 | 7.5 x 4 x 2.5 in | Stainless steel | Fits two sticks; fitted cover |
| Better Dish | 9 x 5.5 x 3 in | Plastic | Holds 2 sticks; attached flip lid |
| Kook ceramic | 7.5 x 3.75 x 3 in | Ceramic | Holds one stick; top handle |
The 6 Best Butter Dishes
1. KITCHENDAO One-handed Airtight Butter Dish
A 7.8 by 3.23 by 2.64 inch dish with a clear lid, a built-in sealing ring and a latching buckle you can open and close with one hand. Side ramps help scoop and scrape butter. The maker says it is dishwasher safe and microwave safe with the lid removed.
Suits: counter or fridge door use. Strengths: a one-hand latch and a sealing ring. Weaknesses: more parts to clean than a plain dish. Skip it if you want ceramic.
2. OXO Good Grips Butter Dish With Lid
A plastic dish 7.87 inches long with stoppers on both sides that hold the stick in place while cutting, measurement markings, a clear lid that stays put and soft non-slip grips for carrying. Tray and lid are dishwasher safe.
Suits: cutting measured pats. Strengths: markings and stoppers. Weaknesses: plastic looks plain on a table. Skip it if you want a serving piece.
View OXO Good Grips Butter Dish with Lid on Amazon
3. Zulay Kitchen Ceramic Butter Dish With Knife
A white porcelain dish with a 7.3 by 3.5 inch base, a 6.5 inch lid with a small knob and a stainless steel knife in the set. The listing says it is microwave, oven, freezer and dishwasher safe.
Suits: a table-ready dish with a knife. Strengths: a knob lid and an included knife. Weaknesses: porcelain can chip. Skip it if you want a seal.
4. Norpro 282 Stainless Steel Double Covered Butter Dish
A mirror-polished stainless steel dish whose inner tray measures 7.5 by 4 by 2.5 inches, wide enough for two sticks or an 8 ounce block of cream cheese, with a fitted steel cover. The listing recommends hand washing.
Suits: two sticks and a metal look. Strengths: drop-resistant steel. Weaknesses: you cannot see the butter, and it is hand wash. Skip it if you want a dishwasher-safe dish.
View Norpro 282 Stainless Steel Double Covered Butter Dish, Silver on Amazon
5. Better Dish Flip Top Butter Dish
A one-piece plastic dish, 9 by 5.5 by 3 inches, whose lid is attached and flips open so it never rests on the counter. It holds two sticks or 8 ounces of European butter, and has easy-grip handles, a non-skid base and dishwasher-safe, BPA-free plastic per the maker.
Suits: two sticks and no loose lid. Strengths: an attached lid and a non-skid base. Weaknesses: a large footprint. Skip it if counter space is tight.
6. Kook Ceramic Butter Dish With Lid
A white ceramic dish, 7.5 by 3.75 by 3 inches, with an inner ridge that holds the lid in place and a top handle. The square shape lets the lid rest on its side. It holds one standard stick and is listed as microwave and dishwasher safe.
Suits: a single stick on the table. Strengths: a ridge-fit lid and a handle. Weaknesses: one stick only, and it is heavy at 1.5 pounds. Skip it if you need two-stick capacity.
View Kook Ceramic Butter Dish with Lid, Countertop, Dishes, Tray, White on Amazon
Care and Setup
- Check each listing for dishwasher or hand wash notes.
- Remove plastic lids before microwaving.
- Keep the dish out of direct sun and away from the stove.
- Wash the lid and base between sticks.
Mistakes to Avoid
- Buying a one-stick dish for two-stick packs.
- Putting steel dishes in the dishwasher against the listing.
- Treating sealing claims as proof of storage time.
- Ignoring the length of European butter blocks.
Butter Dish FAQ
Do all of them fit two sticks?
No. The Norpro and the Better Dish list two-stick capacity. The Kook holds one stick.
Which are dishwasher safe?
The listings say so for the KITCHENDAO, OXO, Zulay, Better Dish and Kook. The Norpro listing recommends hand washing.
The Short Version
For a one-hand latch, the KITCHENDAO. For markings and stoppers, the OXO. For porcelain with a knife, the Zulay. For two sticks in steel, the Norpro. For an attached lid, the Better Dish. For a ridge-fit ceramic lid, the Kook.