How to Make Herb Butter: 5 Compound Butter Recipes (2024)

Herb butter is so versatile and can be used to enhance so many recipes. It can be made with plant based butter or traditional butter.

It's delicious on sourdough bread, vegetables, pasta dishes and more.

Learn how to make savory compound butter with 5 different variations!

What is compound butter?

Simply put, compound butter is butter mixed with other ingredients. This combination is also referred to as "flavored butter".

Herb butter is a compound butter made by mixing butter, herbs and seasonings. Once blended it can be formed into a log and sliced or kept in a jar and spooned out as needed.

Pretty much anytime you add butter to a savory dish, there's probably a compound butter that can be used to enhance the flavors!

If you follow a vegan or dairy free diet, use plant-based butter for your compound butter base!

Step by step instructions

Herb butter is very easy to make, so let's dive straight into the details!

1. Bring 8 tablespoons, or 1 stick, of unsalted butter to room temperature.
2. Mix with your choice of herbs and seasonings.
3. Keep in the fridge for up to 7 days, in the freezer for up to 2 months.

Storage options

OPTION 1 - WRAP IN WAX PAPER

• Place the herb butter onto a piece of wax paper and use a spatula to spread it out into a log shape. Roll the wax paper up and twist the ends.
• Put the log into the fridge to set up. Slice as needed!

OPTION 2 - CONTAINER WITH LID

• Put the butter into a glass jar with a lid and store in the fridge.
• Take butter out and let come to room temperature to use as a spread.

State Food Safety says that store-bought butter can be left at room temperature, safely, for up to 10 days. However, because we are mixing other ingredients into the butter, I would recommend storing in the refrigerator.

Tips for success

• Homemade butter or cultured butter can be used in this recipe. It's super easy to make and the taste is fresher and much creamier than store-bought butter!
• Salted butter can be used but you will need to adjust the salt in the recipe in order not to add too much.
• Dried herbs can be used instead of fresh herbs. Cut the amount called for in half for dried herbs.

Flavor Variations

The following flavor combinations are great with sourdough bread slices, pasta, corn, baked potatoes and roasted vegetables.

Garlic Herb Butter

• 8 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 2 teaspoons finely chopped chives
• 2 teaspoons minced garlic
• ½ teaspoon fine sea salt

Lemon Thyme Butter

• 8 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 2 teaspoons fresh thyme leaves
• zest of 1 lemon
• ½ teaspoon fine sea salt

Garlic Rosemary Butter

• 8 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 2 teaspoons finely chopped fresh rosemary
• 2 teaspoons minced garlic
• ½ teaspoon fine sea salt

Cilantro Lime Butter

• 8 tablespoons unsalted butter
• ¼ teaspoon ground chipotle pepper
• zest and juice of 1 lime
• 2 teaspoons finely chopped fresh cilantro
• 1 teaspoon minced garlic

Old Bay Lemon Butter

• 8 tablespoons unsalted butter
• ½ teaspoon Old Bay Seasoning
• 1 teaspoon minced garlic
• zest of 1 lemon
• 1 teaspoon fresh minced parsley

How do you like to use compound butter? Let us know in the comment section below!

Don't forget to pin the recipe for quick reference.