Is butter left in fry pan overnight safe to cook in?

It is generally not recommended to cook with butter that has been left in a fry pan overnight. There are a few potential food safety concerns to consider:

1. Bacterial Growth: Butter is a dairy product and can spoil if left at room temperature for an extended period. Leaving butter in a fry pan overnight creates a warm and moist environment, which can be ideal for the growth of bacteria. Cooking with butter that has been left out overnight may increase the risk of foodborne illness.

2. Rancidity: Butter can also become rancid if it is exposed to air and light for too long. Rancid butter has an unpleasant odor and taste and can be harmful to consume. Cooking with rancid butter can impact the flavor of the food and may also pose health risks.

3. Smoke Point: Butter has a relatively low smoke point compared to other cooking oils. When heated to high temperatures, butter can burn and produce harmful compounds called acrylamide. Leaving butter in a fry pan overnight and then cooking with it may increase the risk of burning the butter and generating acrylamide.

To ensure food safety and quality, it is best to discard butter that has been left in a fry pan overnight and use fresh butter for cooking.