5 Favorite Recipes for Flavored Compound Butters | foodiecrush.com (2024)

Heidi 14 Comments

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Herbs, citrus, and even cheese flavor these 5 recipes for easy-to-make homemade compound butters to use on everything from hot veggies (roasted corn is a favorite!) to chicken, fish, pasta, and steaks, and it’s one of my secrets forjazzing up a gooey grilled cheese sandwich.

More butter, more better. And when it’s of the infused-flavored variety, there’s always room for even more better butter.

Compound butters are something I like to keep on hand to effortlessly boost the flavor of meats, chicken, andburgers, or slither into pasta with a little cheese, or mix into scrambled eggs and omelets. And of course, it’s absolutely the best slatheredon sweet summer corn.

While it would be easy to mix these flavor combinations together and set out in a bowl to serve from there, I like rolling them into logs and then cutting into slices to melt on just about anything for added flavor.

And because these buttery flavor bursts freeze well, it’s simple to pull them out on a whim and use to suit the tastes of everyone at the table.

Buttery Making Tips

These are a few noteworthy tips to follow when making flavored butters:

  • Use unsalted butter so you can control your salty flavor.
  • Softened butter makes it easy to fold your flavoring ingredients into the butter. To make the butter logs, simply spoon the butter mixture onto the bottom third of a piece of plastic wrap, then shape into rolls. Twist the ends of the plastic wrap as you roll.
  • Chill each log for at least 1 hour or freeze for 20-30 minutes for the logs to take shape.
  • Create your ownseasoning blends by usingcomplementary ingredients from your favorite ethnic profiles, or choose combinations from some of your favorite recipe blends.

5 Recipes for Homemade Compound Butters

For melt-in-your-mouth savory goodness, read on for five easy butters that will make your grilled veggies or chickenor beef sing!

5 Favorite Recipes for Flavored Compound Butters | foodiecrush.com (5)

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5 from 6 votes

Thai Basil and Lime Compound Butter

This homemade butter features the zesty flavors of Thai cooking that works especially well over fish, chicken or pasta.

Servings 8 tablespoons butter

Ingredients

  • ½ cup butter 1 stick, at room temperature
  • ½ lime zested
  • 1 tablespoon Thai basil minced
  • ½ teaspoon 5-spice
  • pinch of red bell pepper flakes
  • pinch of kosher salt

Instructions

  • Mix the ingredients in a small bowl until well combined. Lay out a large piece of plastic wrap on a clean counter. Spoon the butter mixture onto the bottom third of plastic wrap, then roll into a log. Refrigerate for one hour, or until firm.

5 Favorite Recipes for Flavored Compound Butters | foodiecrush.com (7)

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5 from 2 votes

Cinnamon and Chipotle Chile Compound Butter

Use this Mexican-flavored blend for slathering on grilled corn on the cob, steak, chicken, or cooked vegetables alongside tortillas.

Servings 8 tablespoons butter

Ingredients

  • ½ cup butter 1 stick, at room temperature
  • 1 teaspoon orange zest
  • ¾ teaspoon cinnamon
  • ¼ teaspoon chipotle chili powder
  • ¼ teaspoon chili powder
  • pinch of kosher salt

Instructions

  • Mix the ingredients in a small bowl until well combined. Lay out a large piece of plastic wrap on a clean counter. Spoon the butter mixture onto the bottom third of plastic wrap, then roll into a log. Refrigerate for one hour, or until firm.

5 Favorite Recipes for Flavored Compound Butters | foodiecrush.com (9)

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4.08 from 14 votes

Lemon Dill Compound Butter

This classic lemon dill combination is especially good on fish, chicken, or shrimp. Try adding it to hot pasta with a little parmesan cheese for a light and bright dish.

Servings 8 tablespoons

Ingredients

  • ½ cup butter 1 stick, at room temperature
  • 1 lemon zested, plus juice of half of the lemon
  • 1 tablespoon fresh dill chopped
  • pinch of kosher salt

Instructions

  • Mix the ingredients in a small bowl until well combined. Lay out a large piece of plastic wrap on a clean counter. Spoon the butter mixture onto the bottom third of plastic wrap, then roll into a log. Refrigerate for one hour, or until firm.

Spicy Buffalo Compound Butter

Serves: 8 tablespoons

Try this butter when you’re looking for a buffalo-inspired bite of pasta with chicken, add a pat to boost your burger, or smear on hot toasted bread.

Ingredients

  • ½ cup butter (1 stick), at room temperature
  • 2 ounces blue cheese, crumbled
  • 1 tablespoon Frank’s Red Hot Sauce or other vinegar based hot sauce
  • 1 tablespoon chopped chives

Instructions

  1. Mix the ingredients in a small bowl until well combined. Lay out a large piece of plastic wrap on a clean counter. Spoon the butter mixture onto the bottom third of plastic wrap, then roll into a log. Refrigerate for one hour, or until firm.

Parmesan and Smoked Paprika Compound Butter

Serves: 8 tablespoons

Add a pat to almost finished scrambled eggs or pasta to add a creamy flavor with every bite.

Ingredients

  • ½ cup butter (1 stick), at room temperature
  • ¼ cup freshly grated parmesan cheese
  • ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
  • pinch of kosher salt

Instructions

  1. Mix the ingredients in a small bowl until well combined. Lay out a large piece of plastic wrap on a clean counter. Spoon the butter mixture onto the bottom third of plastic wrap, then roll into a log. Refrigerate for one hour, or until firm.

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Comments

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  1. 5 Favorite Recipes for Flavored Compound Butters | foodiecrush.com (18)Carol

    Can you use margarine instead of butter?

    Reply

    • 5 Favorite Recipes for Flavored Compound Butters | foodiecrush.com (19)Heidi

      Hi Carol, yes you could use margarine if you prefer.

      Reply

  2. 5 Favorite Recipes for Flavored Compound Butters | foodiecrush.com (20)rance massey

    5 Favorite Recipes for Flavored Compound Butters | foodiecrush.com (21)
    OMG This was fabulous. The salmon with the lemon dill compound butter was outstanding. The pasta was awesome as well, although I added quite a bit of powdered garlic, which gave it a bit more flavor, topped with ptarmigan and fresh ground pepper. A glass of Pinot Grigio to accompany the meal made it a wonderful dining experience. Thank you for sharing.

    Reply

  3. 5 Favorite Recipes for Flavored Compound Butters | foodiecrush.com (22)Jean Colson

    I wanted to print out the recipes with maybe one photo showing the rolled tubes – but, on my phones, it showed it would be 26 PAGES to print!! Egads.
    Guess I’ll have to do without…

    Reply

  4. 5 Favorite Recipes for Flavored Compound Butters | foodiecrush.com (23)remote desktop windows 10 pc

    The post you have shared is really nice as I have gone through some of the points was really helpful and beneficial to all users while preparing yummy food.

    Reply

  5. 5 Favorite Recipes for Flavored Compound Butters | foodiecrush.com (24)Billy

    Okay I definitely have to make that lemon and dill one! It looks so good! The other ones look great too. Can’t wait to try making these at home, thank you for sharing!

    Reply

  6. 5 Favorite Recipes for Flavored Compound Butters | foodiecrush.com (25)ronda

    I just had the best lavender and honey butter that was so good. Now I have even more to try. Oh you just made my summer butter better.

    Reply

  7. 5 Favorite Recipes for Flavored Compound Butters | foodiecrush.com (26)Rachael @ Rachael's Foodie Life

    Compound butters are a must have in our house! my current favourite is maple bourbon, it’s so good on pancakes or steaks. I will be making some of your combos this week to keep on hand in the freezer

    Reply

  8. 5 Favorite Recipes for Flavored Compound Butters | foodiecrush.com (27)Chris

    I love making white miso butter. It’s incredibly versatile and the umami hit from the miso is fantastic.

    Reply

  9. 5 Favorite Recipes for Flavored Compound Butters | foodiecrush.com (28)Katya

    This got me excited! There’s something about compound butters that make them better taste enhancers than sauces (no offense meant to Chileheads :D ). Your recipes, OMG! I’d love them on my steak, thanks so much for sharing!

    Reply

  10. 5 Favorite Recipes for Flavored Compound Butters | foodiecrush.com (29)Laura | Tutti Dolci

    Flavored butter is the best! I know I’d use the lemon dill butter all the time, and the Thai basil lime butter sounds fab!

    Reply

  11. 5 Favorite Recipes for Flavored Compound Butters | foodiecrush.com (30)Becky Winkler

    This is so cool! I love herbed compound butters, but your post made me realize there are so many more options I need to get into!!

    Reply

    • 5 Favorite Recipes for Flavored Compound Butters | foodiecrush.com (31)heidi

      Ah Becky, I love a good garlic and herb butter too, and you’re right, there are so many more out there! Next time I want to try a sweet version, too. Thank you for the comment!

      Reply

5 Favorite Recipes for Flavored Compound Butters | foodiecrush.com (2024)

FAQs

What is the Flavouring compound for butter? ›

Artificial butter flavoring is a flavoring used to give a food the taste and smell of butter. It may contain diacetyl, acetylpropionyl, or acetoin, three natural compounds in butter that contribute to its characteristic taste and smell.

What are flavored butters called? ›

Compound butter, or finishing butter, is a type of butter that is mixed with herbs, spice blends, and other ingredients that give it a savory or sweet flavor. The term compound butter encompasses countless recipes and flavor profiles.

What do you do with compound butter? ›

Using Compound Butter

Compound butter adds richness and pungency to simple grilled meats, fish, vegetables, beans, pasta, breads and eggs. A few ways to use it: Spread it on baked goods such as bread, rolls and biscuits, …

What is a compound butter in cooking? ›

A compound butter ("beurre composé" in French) is simply butter mixed with other ingredients that add sweet or savory flavor, like honey, herbs, or garlic.

What is butter flavoring in a recipe? ›

Butter flavor is often created by isolating compounds like diacetyl, acetyl propionyl, or acetoin. These compounds can be sourced from butter, soybeans, or other oils. Mixing any of these compounds with water and other ingredients creates a rich buttery flavor that many consumers have come to know and love.

What is butter flavouring? ›

Diacetyl is a naturally occurring substance that gives butter its characteristic flavor and aroma, and is often a component of artificial flavoring formulations. Acetoin, a closely related chemical, also occurs naturally and is an ingredient in many flavoring formulations, perfumes and essences.

Does compound butter go bad? ›

Once the compound recipe is complete, you must store butter in the refrigerator as you normally would. In many cases, herb-infused compound butter can last up to two months in the refrigerator. However, storage time really depends on the ingredients you've included in the compound butter recipe.

Do you freeze or refrigerate compound butter? ›

Creating flavored butters is a quick and easy way to add a burst of flavor to your food. Compound butter can be kept refrigerated for several days. They can also be frozen for several months by being wrapped in plastic wrap and stored in plastic freezer bags.

Should you melt butter for compound butter? ›

Bring your butter to room temperature.

Cold butter won't blend with your mix-ins, and melted butter won't keep its consistency to hold them in place. Room temperature is like Goldilocks and the Three Bears: not too cold and not too hot.

Should you baste compound butter? ›

Every cooked meat, every protein, benefits from a good compound butter because it allows the fat to baste and add additional flavor. It's typically incorporated with fresh or fragrant aromatic herbs. As it heats up, the oils and fat heat up, releasing the oils and aromatics for an additional depth of flavor.”

Can you leave compound butter out overnight? ›

Butter is a staple in most kitchens, and typically, you can find it in the refrigerator. However, some butters, like the compound butters from Better Butter, are completely safe to store outside of the fridge.

What is another name for compound butter? ›

It can also be used to finish a dish—like our Black Truffle Flavored Butter on top of a steak—which is why the term 'finishing butter' is commonly used to describe compound butter, too.

How are compound butters used in making sauces? ›

Compound butter or “beurre composse” in French is simply unsalted butter mixed with other ingredients that add sweet or savory flavor, like honey, herbs, or garlic. This creamy spread can be easily added to meats, and sauces sides to add extra flavor.

What are the aroma compounds in butter? ›

The aroma of butter is derived primarily from the volatile compounds present in the fat fraction (Mallia et al. 2008) . Lactones, ketones and aldehydes are the key aroma compounds in sweet-cream butter. ...

What are the compounds present in butter? ›

Butter is a mixture of various fatty acids, including butyric acid (C4H8O2), caproic acid (C6H12O2), caprylic acid (C8H16O2), capric acid (C10H20O2), lauric acid (C12H24O2), myristic acid (C14H28O2), palmitic acid (C16H32O2), stearic acid (C18H36O2), and arachidic acid (C20H40O2).

How does butter give flavour? ›

Unsalted butter contains no added ingredients and is made from cream. Salted butter only has one added ingredient, which is salt. The flavour in butter comes from various milk fats, plus some milk protein (casein) and a bit of water.

What is the flavoring in unsalted butter? ›

Many American mass-market butters, especially unsalted butters, contain “natural flavors.” The most common are diacetyl, acetic acid, acetoin, ethyl formate, ethyl acetate, 2-butanone and others.

References

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