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Compound Butter is simple to make and adds amazing flavor to whatever you put it on. Use it on bread, meats or vegetables.
What is Compound Butter?
It is simply a combination of butter and something else. In today’s recipe it is butter and fresh herbs but the possibilities are endless. Maybe you’ve eaten at a restaurant that served yummy garlic butter, that is a compound butter.
I’ve got lots of other combinations here, including cranberry, fig, and red pepper.
Another example is honey butter.
Ingredients Needed
- Butter. I use salted butter and you want it softened to room temperature.
- Fresh Herbs. My favorite ones to use are thyme leaves, chives and rosemary. I use fresh herbs for best flavor.
- Lemon Juice. This gives the butter a nice fresh flavor but if you aren’t a lemon fan, leave it out.
- Fresh Ground Pepper
How Do I Tell if my Butter Is Softened?
Softened butter is when you can push your finger into the butter and it leaves an indentation but your finger doesn’t go all the way through.
How to Make Compound Butter
- Add ingredients to softened butter.
- Stir to incorporate.
- Form butter into a log and wrap in wax paper.
- Twist the ends of the paper.
- Refrigerate until butter firms up.
How do I use Compound Butter?
You can use it on anything you would put normal butter on. I like savory butter on bread, vegetables, beef, chicken, potatoes, or shrimp. The sweet butters are amazing on scones and biscuits. Possibilities are pretty much limitless.
I think my favorite way to use the herb butter is on a steak, it takes the flavor of your steak to a whole new level. My favorite way to use it is with my Perfect Steak Recipe.
Butter is ready to use after it has firmed up. If it gets too hard just let it sit at room temperature for a while.
Frequently Asked Questions
You can basically put anything into compound butter! I have used garlic, honey and fruit. You can find other flavor variations here.
Stored, covered or rolled up in wax paper or parchment paper in the refrigerator, it will last up to a month. In the freezer it will last up to 3 months, keep in an airtight container or freezer bag.
Try these other delicious recipes:
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Compound Butter
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup softened butter
- 2 Tbsp fresh thyme leaves
- 2 Tbsp chopped fresh chives
- 1 Tbsp fresh chopped rosemary
- 2 Tbsp fresh lemon juice
- Fresh ground pepper to taste
Instructions
- Add ingredients to softened butter. Stir to incorporate.
- Wrap in wax paper and refrigerate until butter firms up.
Tips & Notes:
Nutrition Facts:
Originally posted July 14, 2009
Dorothy says
I have been making herb butter using my garden fresh herbs for many years; never knew it was called compound butter! I use a combination of whatever herbs I havae in my garden to make mine, plus I always add fresh garlic & a generous pinch of sea salt too. Now I want to try the honey butter that you mentioned!
Kelley says
(Found this on Pinterest) I just made this and it was AMAZING (yes, it was midnight here…whoops!)!!!!! I used the herbs you posted, but didn’t measure. I would have never thought of the lemon juice, but it just “made” the butter. Thanks tons!!
Leigh Anne says
Glad you found me on Pinterest and that you liked the butter. Summer is a perfect time to make it with all the wonderful fresh herbs.
andria says
I made it and was perfect. My 2 and 4 year old loved it and said it tasted like stars on their toast. Thanks : )