Homemade Herb Butter - three easy and delicious recipe ideas (2024)

Bursting with savory, herbaceous flavors, this homemade herb butter is the perfect accompaniment to rolls, bread, and even your favorite chicken breast recipe. Once you experience the exquisite taste and simplicity of making it yourself, you’ll never go back to store-bought again.

Prepare to elevate your dishes with the delightful freshness of Homemade Herb Butter—a culinary gem that enhances everything it touches. From golden rolls to crispy potatoes and vibrant vegetables, this creamy treat is meant to be savored in every delectable bite. I’m going to guide you through the creation of three distinct flavor combinations that will leave your taste buds longing for more.

What is Herb Butter?

If you’ve never had herb butter, you are missing out. Herb butter (also known as compound butter) is made by simply combining butter and other ingredients used to enhance the flavor of dishes.

Typically, it’s flavored with herbs and garlic, but you can use sweet things such as honey, cinnamon, and sugar, too. (Be sure to check out cinnamon maple butter for a sweet variety!)

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Homemade herb butter is a delightful addition to any culinary repertoire. Not only is it incredibly easy to make, but it also adds a burst of flavor and elegance to your dishes. These recipes are sure to impress and elevate your meals. Here’s why you should consider making homemade herb butter:

1. Versatile and Customizable: Homemade herb butter allows you to experiment with various herbs, spices, and flavors, giving you the freedom to create your own unique blends. From classic combinations like garlic and rosemary to more adventurous pairings like lemon and thyme, the possibilities are endless. Have fun and personalize the recipes to suit your taste preferences and culinary style.
2. Enhances the Natural Flavors: Herb butter serves as a fantastic vehicle for infusing dishes with the essence of fresh herbs and aromatic spices. As the butter melts, it releases the flavors of the herbs, resulting in a rich and fragrant taste. Whether you’re spreading it on warm bread, melting it over grilled vegetables, or using it to baste roasted meats, the herb butter will take your dishes to the next level.
3. Saves Time and Effort: One of the most significant advantages of homemade herb butter is its convenience. By preparing a batch in advance, you can easily add a burst of flavor to your meals without the hassle of chopping and seasoning every time. Having herb butter on hand allows you to elevate simple dishes with minimal effort, making it a time-saving kitchen staple.
4. Impressive Presentation: The vibrant colors and enticing aroma of herb butter make it an excellent choice for enhancing the visual appeal of your dishes. Whether you’re hosting a dinner party or simply enjoying a meal at home, a dollop of herb butter atop a perfectly cooked steak or a beautifully arranged platter of roasted vegetables adds a touch of elegance and sophistication.

Ingredients

Making your own herb butter is seriously so simple that you might be shocked. You really just mix fresh herbs with real butter. At the bottom of this post, I’ll share 3 of my favorite herb butter recipes.

First, here is a list of the ingredients I used for all of them:

• Unsalted butter
• Fresh cilantro
• Garlic
• Fresh rosemary
• Fresh-squeezed lime juice
• Fresh basil
• Sundried tomatoes
• Fresh thyme
• Fresh chives
• Salt and pepper to taste

How to Make

As you might have guessed, making herb butter is easy. All you do is mix together the butter and herbs, shape the mixture, and let it harden back up. I’ve provideda full ingredient list and detailed instructions for all three herb butter varieties in the printable recipe card at the end of this post.

You can use whatever combination of herbs you like best. But to get you started, I came up with three recipes that I think you will love: Italian Garlic, Sun-Dried Tomato, and Cilantro Lime. No matter your flavor of choice, you’ll follow the same simple steps to make your own homemade butter.

1. First, in a bowl, mix all of the ingredients. You can do this with a hand mixer or by hand using a fork.

2. Once everything is nicely combined, transfer the butter to a piece of plastic wrap and shape it into a cylinder. Then, twist both ends of the plastic wrap and pop cylinder in the refrigerator to chill.

The butter is ready when it’s solid and cold.

That’s it! I told you it was easy.

When you’re ready to use the herb butter (especially when serving it on bread), pull it out of the refrigerator about half an hour or so ahead of time. Slice it immediately and set it out to warm up a bit. That way, it spreads nicely on the bread.

How to Use

Now that you’ve made your delicious homemade herb butter, here are some creative ideas for incorporating it into your culinary adventures:

• Bread and Rolls: Spread a generous amount of herb butter on freshly baked bread or rolls for a mouthwatering treat. The blend of flavors will complement the warm, crusty exterior and create a heavenly aroma.
• Roasted Vegetables: Toss your favorite vegetables, such as potatoes, carrots, or Brussels sprouts, in herb butter before roasting them. The butter will add a savory depth of flavor and help achieve a crispy, golden exterior.
• Grilled Meats and Seafood: Melt a pat of herb butter over grilled steaks, chicken breasts, or fish fillets just before serving. The butter will melt and coat the meat, infusing it with a burst of herbaceous goodness.
• Pasta Dishes: Stir a spoonful of herb butter into freshly cooked pasta for a quick and flavorful sauce. It will coat the noodles beautifully, making each bite a delightful explosion of taste.
• Flavoring Sauces and Soups: Add a small knob of herb butter to enrich and enliven your favorite sauces and soups. It will melt seamlessly, imparting a nuanced herbal note to the dish.
• Baked Potatoes: Slice open a baked potato and slather it with herb butter. The combination of creamy potato flesh and herb-infused butter is a match made in culinary heaven.
• Grilled Corn on the Cob: Spread herb butter over hot, grilled corn on the cob for a delicious twist. The butter will melt and seep into the kernels, creating a delectable, herb-infused bite.
• Herb-Crusted Chicken or Fish: Mix herb butter with breadcrumbs to create a flavorful crust for chicken breasts or fish fillets. Bake or pan-fry them for a tantalizingly crispy exterior.

Remember, these ideas are just the beginning. Feel free to get creative and experiment with your homemade herb butter in various dishes to discover new and exciting flavor combinations. Bon appétit!

Storage and Shelf Life

Proper storage is essential to preserve the freshness and flavor of your homemade herb butter. Follow these guidelines to ensure your herb butter stays delicious for as long as possible:

1. Refrigeration: After preparing your herb butter, transfer it to an airtight container or wrap it tightly in plastic wrap. Store it in the refrigerator to keep it fresh. The cold temperature will help maintain its consistency and prevent any spoilage.

2. Freezing: If you’ve made a large batch of herb butter or want to extend its shelf life, freezing is an excellent option. Wrap the herb butter tightly in plastic wrap, then place it in a freezer-safe container or sealable freezer bag. Properly stored, herb butter can last in the freezer for up to three months without losing its flavor.

3. Labeling: To avoid any confusion in the future, it’s a good practice to label your herb butter with the date it was made. This way, you’ll know when it’s time to use it or discard it.

4. Shelf Life: When stored in the refrigerator, homemade herb butter can last for approximately two to three weeks. However, the exact shelf life can vary depending on the freshness of the ingredients used. Always check for any signs of spoilage, such as an off smell, mold, or unusual texture, before using the herb butter.

5. Flavor Preservation: Over time, the flavors of the herbs and seasonings in the butter may start to mellow. To maintain the vibrant taste, it’s recommended to use the herb butter within the first week or two after preparation.

Frequently Asked Questions

Below are some questions people often ask about homemade compound butter. If you don’t see your question in this list, please leave it in the comments.

What is herb butter made of?

There are a ton of different ways to make herb butter. At its core, herb butter is basically fresh herbs and real butter mixed with some salt and pepper. It’s a savory and flavorful butter that tastes amazing on bread, rolls or spread on top of a hot steak.

What gives you the best flavor of herb butter?

I’m a huge believer in using quality ingredients, especially in something like this compound butter. If we were simply baking with butter, I’d say you can definitely get away with the cheaper stuff. But as butter is the star of the show here, I’d encourage you to get the best quality butter you can afford.

Can you freeze herb butter?

Yes, herb butter is freezer-friendly. Wrap it up tightly in plastic wrap and store it in a freezer-safe food storage bag or container. The butter will stay fresh in the freezer for up to 3 months.

More Recipes You May Enjoy

• Homemade Poppy Seed Dressing
• The BEST Croutons
• Red Pepper Jelly
• Chive Blossom Vinegar
• Homemade Herb Butter
• Simple Syrup Recipe

Have you ever made herb butter (compound butter)? What are your favorite flavor combinations, and how do you like to use homemade herb butter? Let me know.

If you haven’t will you give it a try? If you do,please leave a comment and a 5-star rating below.Want more from Inspired by Charm?

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