How to Make Compound Butter: 6 Essential Recipes and Uses
Infuse everyday meals with rich, flavored spreads that burst with savory and sweet notes.
How to Make Compound Butter: 6 Essential Recipes and Creative Uses
Few kitchen tricks pack as much flavor and versatility as compound butter. With just a stick of butter and your favorite mix-ins, you can create a rich, creamy spread to enhance steaks, transform vegetables, upgrade bread, or even top sweet treats. Compound butters are simple to prepare, easy to customize, and can be stored for later use, making them an essential in any cook’s repertoire.
Table of Contents
- What Is Compound Butter?
- Best Butter to Use for Compound Butter
- Equipment You Need
- How to Make Compound Butter: Step-By-Step Guide
- How to Shape, Store, and Freeze Compound Butter
- 6 Essential Compound Butter Recipes
- Delicious Ways to Use Compound Butter
- Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What Is Compound Butter?
Compound butter is simply butter creamed together with flavorful ingredients—such as herbs, spices, citrus, or sweet additions—creating a spread or finishing touch that can be savory or sweet. The concept is classic in French cuisine (where it’s known as “beurre composé”), but its uses are truly universal. Whether you’re serving dinner rolls, searing steaks, or finishing pancakes, compound butter brings an extra layer of flavor and elegance to everyday meals.
Best Butter to Use for Compound Butter
For the best results, choose a high-quality unsalted butter. Unsalted butter allows you to control the salt level and lets the flavors of your mix-ins shine. However, if you have only salted butter, you can still use it—just reduce or omit any added salt in the recipe.
Let the butter soften to room temperature before mixing for easy blending.
Equipment You Need
- Mixing bowl (glass or stainless steel is ideal)
- Fork, spoon, or hand mixer for creaming the butter
- Plastic wrap or parchment paper
- Sharp knife and cutting board for mincing mix-ins
- (Optional) Stand mixer with paddle attachment for large batches
How to Make Compound Butter: Step-By-Step Guide
- Bring the butter to room temperature so it’s soft and easy to combine.
- Mix in your flavorings: Add herbs, spices, citrus zest, chopped nuts, jam, or other ingredients. Mix thoroughly using a fork or spatula until evenly blended.
- Shape the butter: Scrape the flavored butter onto a piece of plastic wrap or parchment. Form into a log shape for slicing, or transfer to small containers for scooping.
- Chill until firm: Roll up tightly and refrigerate. The butter needs at least 2 hours (up to 4 for larger logs) to firm up and for the flavors to meld.
- Slice and serve: Cut medallions from the log as needed, or scoop from a container. Compound butter is best slightly softened for spreading, but it melts beautifully atop hot foods.
How to Shape, Store, and Freeze Compound Butter
Compound butter can be shaped and stored in different ways for convenience:
- Log shape: Place butter on plastic wrap or parchment, roll, and twist the ends like a candy wrapper. Refrigerate until firm, then slice as needed.
- Ramekins or small containers: Spoon butter into small dishes for scooping at the table.
- Cookie scoop or ice cube trays: Portion single-use balls or cubes, which freeze well.
Storage tips:
- Refrigerator: Compound butter keeps for up to 1 week, tightly wrapped.
- Freezer: Most compound butters freeze well for up to 3 months. Wrap tightly in plastic wrap and place in a zip-top bag. Thaw in the fridge before using.
6 Essential Compound Butter Recipes
What others are reading
Explore these six classic and creative compound butter recipes. Each recipe makes about 1/2 cup (one stick) and can be easily doubled or adjusted.
1. Hotel Butter (Lemon Parsley Butter)
- 1 stick (1/2 cup) unsalted butter, softened
- 2 tablespoons finely minced fresh parsley
- Zest and juice of 1/2 lemon
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
- Black pepper to taste
Mix all ingredients until well combined. Shape into a log, wrap, and refrigerate.
How to use: Hotel butter is superb on grilled steaks, fish fillets, roasted chicken, or fresh dinner rolls.
2. Cowboy Butter
- 1 cup salted butter (2 sticks), at room temperature
- 1/4 cup finely chopped fresh parsley
- 1 clove garlic, finely minced
- Pinch red pepper flakes
- Pinch black pepper
- Zest and juice of 1/2 lemon
Mix all ingredients until well blended. Shape into a log, wrap, and refrigerate for at least 4 hours.
How to use: Cowboy butter brings garlicky, herby flavor to steak, chicken, seafood, corn on the cob, or vegetables. Try it on bread or potatoes for a bold upgrade.
3. Smoked Paprika & Rosemary Butter
- 1 stick unsalted butter
- 1 tablespoon minced fresh rosemary
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
Stir together all ingredients until smooth. Form into a log, chill, and slice for serving.
How to use:
- Top cooked steak, chicken, or fish
- Sauté shrimp
- Spread onto grilled or boiled corn
- Brush onto grilled vegetables
4. Cinnamon Maple Butter
- 1 stick unsalted butter
- 1 tablespoon pure maple syrup
- 3/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
Cream together until fluffy and smooth. Refrigerate until firm.
How to use:
- Spread on toast
- Top pancakes or waffles
- Add richness to cornbread or baked sweet potatoes
5. Herb Butter (Mixed Herb Butter)
- 1 stick unsalted butter
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh herbs (such as parsley, thyme, rosemary, oregano, or a blend)
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
Combine all ingredients, form into a log, wrap, and chill until needed.
How to use:
- Serve with dinner rolls or bread
- Dollop on top of grilled or baked chicken
- Melt over roasted or steamed vegetables
6. Jalapeño Lime Butter
- 1 stick unsalted butter
- 1/2 jalapeño pepper, seeded and minced
- Juice of 1/2 lime
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
Mix until thoroughly combined, chill in log shape or ramekin.
How to use:
- Serve with grilled or boiled corn
- Dollop on top of meat, chicken, fish, or shrimp
Delicious Ways to Use Compound Butter
Compound butter is astonishingly versatile. Here are some favorite ways to use it:
- Steak Topper: A pat of herb, hotel, or cowboy butter melts over grilled steak for a steakhouse-style finish.
- Seafood Enhancement: Smoked paprika rosemary or jalapeño lime butters are fantastic on shrimp, salmon, or white fish.
- Bread and Rolls: Put a dish of cinnamon maple, hotel, or herb butter on the table with fresh dinner rolls, biscuits, or warm crusty bread.
- Vegetable Upgrade: Toss steamed or roasted vegetables in any savory butter for instant flavor.
- Corn on the Cob: Smoked or jalapeño lime butter create a gourmet corn topping—perfect for grilling season.
- Breakfast Favorite: Spread sweet compound butters over pancakes, waffles, or French toast for a decadent morning treat.
- Finish Pasta: Stir a disk of herby compound butter into hot pasta for easy, no-sauce flavor.
- Bake with Butter: Let cinnamon maple butter melt over baked sweet potatoes or cornbread fresh from the oven.
- Basting Roasts: Rub a flavored butter under the skin of chicken or turkey before roasting for an ultra-moist, aromatic result.
Additional Tips for Perfect Compound Butter
- Soften Butter Properly: Let butter sit at room temperature for at least 30 minutes. Don’t microwave—it can melt unevenly!
- Finely Chop Mix-Ins: Especially with garlic, herbs, or peppers, mince finely to distribute flavor evenly and make slicing easier.
- Flavor Variations: Swap herbs and spices, add citrus zests, or stir in roasted garlic, nuts, or dried fruit to suit your dish.
- Sweet or Savory: Compound butters can go in either direction—try honey, jam, or brown sugar for sweet breakfast spreads
- Make Ahead: Compound butter can be prepared days or even weeks ahead and frozen for future use.
- Label and Date: When freezing various flavors, wrap each individually and label for later identification.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q: Can I use dried herbs instead of fresh?
A: Yes, substitute 1/3 the amount of dried herbs for fresh. Dried herbs are more concentrated in flavor.
Q: How long does compound butter last in the fridge or freezer?
A: Refrigerated, compound butter keeps for about 5–7 days. In the freezer, it stays fresh for up to 3 months when wrapped well.
Q: Should I use unsalted or salted butter?
A: Unsalted is best for controlling saltiness and flavor, but salted butter is fine; reduce added salt accordingly.
Q: Is compound butter only for savory foods?
A: No! Sweet compound butters are delicious on baked goods, pancakes, muffins, or fruit.
Q: What’s the best way to shape compound butter for gifts or presentation?
A: Shaped logs, piped rosettes, or ramekin-molded butters wrapped in parchment and tied with twine make attractive gifts.
Sample Nutrition Information
| Recipe | Calories per tbsp | Fat (g) | Sugar (g) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hotel Butter | 102 | 11 | 0 |
| Cowboy Butter | 105 | 11.5 | 0 |
| Smoked Paprika Rosemary | 101 | 11 | 0 |
| Cinnamon Maple Butter | 108 | 11 | 2.5 |
Wrapping Up: Make Compound Butter Part of Your Kitchen
Whether you’re searing steaks, serving dinner rolls, or putting a personal touch on pancakes, compound butter is your secret shortcut to elevated flavor. Try all six essential recipes above, experiment with your own mix-ins, and discover just how versatile, simple, and delicious homemade flavored butter can be!
References
- https://www.jugglingactmama.com/cowboy-butter/
- https://www.thepioneerwoman.com/food-cooking/recipes/a63119646/cowboy-butter-recipe/
- https://www.thepioneerwoman.com/food-cooking/recipes/a10736/t-bone-steaks-with-hotel-butter/
- https://www.thepioneerwoman.com/food-cooking/recipes/a88011/how-to-make-compound-butter-recipes/
- https://www.thepioneerwoman.com/food-cooking/meals-menus/g62777877/compound-butter-recipes/
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