Compound butter is a quick and easy way to add intense flavor to dishes - particularly grilled or roasted meats or vegetables. Compound butter is just softened (room temperature) butter flavored with herbs, aromatics, spices, citrus zest, cheese, or other flavorings. Try one the compound butters below or experiment with your own combinations.
Note: In all cases, bring butter to room temperature and then combine it with the flavorings by pulsing in a food processor or simply mashing with a fork.
Beurre Maitre d'Hotel
Photo © Molly Watson
Beurre Maître d'Hôtel is the mother of all flavored butters - a French classic. It is traditionally served as a pat on top of a hot steak. It's equally good on roast chicken, mashed potatoes, and grilled vegetables.
To make Beurre Maître d'Hôtel: Combine 1/2 cup butter with 1 Tbsp. minced parsley and 1 tsp. fresh lemon juice, and salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste.
Avocado Butter
Photo © Molly Watson
Avocado Butter is a rich mixture that is particularly fine on salmon or other fish.
To make Avocado Butter: Mix 1/2 cup butter with 1 peeled and pitted avocado. Add a clove of minced garlic, 1 to 2 tsp. lime juice or lemon juice, and salt to taste.
Basil Butter
Basil Butter is good on chicken or fish.
To make Basil Butter: Use about 1/2 cup chopped fresh basil leaves for every 1/2 cup butter. Add a clove of minced garlic, if you like, and/or a grating or two of lemon zest as well as salt to taste.
Cilantro Lime Butter
Cilantro Lime Butter works on meats of all kinds, but also fish.
To make Cilantro Lime Butter: For each 1/2 cup of butter, use 2 or 3 Tbsp. chopped cilantro leaves and 2 tsp. lime zest. Add a bit of green chile sauce (or green Tabasco) if you're so inclined.
Garlic Butter
Garlic Butter can be used to make garlic bread or garlic toast, but is also very good on top of a steak.
To make Garlic Butter: Combine 1/2 cup butter, 1 clove minced garlic, and salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste. You can also add minced parsley for a bit of color, if you like.
Lemon-y Butter
Photo © Molly Watson
Lemon-y Butter is delicious on chicken or fish or, perfection, grilled asparagus (pan-roasted asparagus is good too).
To make Lemon-y Butter: Combine 1/2 cup butter with 1 tsp. fresh lemon juice and 1 Tbsp. freshly grated lemon zest (just the yellow part of the peel, being sure to avoid the bitter white pith beneath when you grate).
Roquefort Butter/ Blue Cheese Butter
Blue Cheese Butter is divine on freshly grilled or broiled steaks.
To make Blue Cheese Butter: Use about 1/2 cup butter and 2 ounces blue cheese (such as Roquefort). Dress it up a bit more by adding a minced shallot, a splash of red wine vinegar, or a bit of fresh thyme.
