Included in this article are 7 simple and delicious compound butter recipes. Remember to be creative and mix up your favorite butter flavors!
I’ll be honest here, I didn’t know what compound butter was. Well, I was making it but didn’t know there was a name for it. I took some softened butter, minced garlic in olive oil and some dried parsley flakes mixed it together and spread on french bread to make my own Garlic Bread. Wow, it was great! I learned later there was a name for it: Compound butter.
Compound Butter
Compound butter is a little secret that I use to take a meal up another notch. The great thing is that these compound butter recipes add tons of flavors to everyday foods. Eggs, mashed potatoes, steak, chicken, I can go on forever. Put a pat of butter on steak while resting and WOW. Pretty much anywhere you use butter you can give it a little extra kick with compound butter.
Easy to Make – Easy to Store
If you can stir, you can make it. A food processor makes the job easier but isn’t necessary. The process is simple:
- Soften butter
- Add ingredients
- Mix
- Roll
- Refrigerate
I prefer European-style butter. The higher fat content works well for compound butter recipes. Also, I use unsalted butter which allows me to control the amount and types of salt that go into it.
Fresh herbs are the best. I have a small herb garden, so I am a little spoiled. Dried will work too, just cut back on the amounts when using dried.
When you roll out into a log, I have found that wax paper works the best for these compound butter recipes. Once refrigerated, it will keep for a week or two. The great thing is it freezes great and will extend the storage for 3 months, longer if you vacuum seal.
Use your imagination
I didn’t limit myself to just garlic butter. I started experimenting. And what I found was the endless possibilities. Whether you’re looking for sweet, savory, or something in between it is simple to make. Mix some softened butter, a few herbs and you have something new. Coffee butter, Yes. Chipotle Lime Butter – yum. And with a name like Bacon Butter how can you go wrong?!
Some ideas you can play with are below. Remember to take notes and adjust the ingredients of these compound butter recipes according to your tastes.
Compound Butter Recipes
Included in this article are 7 simple and delicious compound butter recipes. Remember to be creative and mix up your favorite butter flavors!
- Prep Time
- 15 minutes
- Mixing Time
- 2 minutes
- Total Time
- 17 minutes
- Servings
- 8 Tablespoons
- Course
- Condiment
- Cuisines
- American, French
- Estimated Cost
- $2
Equipment
Ingredients
Cowboy Butter
- 1 stick softened, unsalted butter (4 ounces)
- 1 tablespoon clove garlic (minced)
- ½ lemon (juice and zest)
- ¼ cup fresh parsley (minced)
- 1 pinch black pepper (freshly ground)
- 1 pinch red pepper flakes
Pesto Parmesan Butter
- 1 stick softened, unsalted butter (4 ounces)
- 1 tablespoon prepared pesto
- 1 tablespoon grated parmesan and romano cheese blend
- 1 tablespoon shredded parmesan cheese
- 1 teaspoon finely chopped fresh garlic
Bacon Butter
- 1 stick softened, unsalted butter (4 ounces)
- 6 slices bacon (cooked and chopped)
- 1/8 teaspoon black pepper (freshly ground)
Honey Orange Butter
Garlic Herb Butter
- 1 stick softened, unsalted butter (4 ounces)
- 3 TBSP parsley (minced)
- 3 large garlic cloves (finely minced)
- ½ teaspoon sea salt
Chipotle Lime Butter
- 1 stick softened, unsalted butter (4 ounces)
- 2 cloves garlic (minced)
- 1 chipotle (minced)
- 1 TBSP fresh lime juice
- 2 TBSP cilantro (minced)
- Pinch salt and pepper
Maple Butter
- 1 stick softened, unsalted butter (4 ounces)
- 2 TBSP real maple syrup
Instructions
-
Mix well using a food processor or simply mixing by hand.
-
Use however you like!
Recipe Video
Nutrition:
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Do you have other compound butter recipes that you love? Share them!
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Carol L says
1 stick: = 8 oz? Most butter comes in different sizes to that of the 50′-60’s….4 sticks to a pound. European butter (like Kerry Gold) comes in a one 8oz package. So, does “1 stick” mean 8 oz?
These combinations look absolutely wonderful and mouthwatering!!!
Frederick Schramm says
Thanks for your question. One stick of butter is 4oz or a 1/2 cup. I updated the recipes to show that as well.
Remember too these are just guidelines, make them your own by adjusting the ingredients.