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This easy homemade herb butter, also known as compound butter, is a great way to add a fresh burst of flavor to many dishes. In this post, I’ve included four delicious recipes.
![Easy Homemade Herb Butter (1) Easy Homemade Herb Butter (1)](https://i0.wp.com/www.farmhouseonboone.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/herb-butter-17-1-1024x683.jpg)
Summer cooking is one of my favorites. With all the fresh vegetables, fruits, and herbs just overflowing from the garden, it’s easy to be inspired to be in the kitchen.
I head out to the garden in the morning to see what’s ripe and get inspiration for meals for the rest of the day or preserving for the future.
When it comes to preserving, most minds automatically go to canning, drying, or freeze-drying (the newest method to me). For herbs specifically, another easy method is to preserve them in fat, like butter.
This is a wonderful way to enjoy the freshness of the summer season even in the dead of winter. Pop out some compound herb butter from the freezer any time of year to spread on top ofsourdough dinner rollsand enjoy those delightful summer flavors.
![Easy Homemade Herb Butter (2) Easy Homemade Herb Butter (2)](https://i0.wp.com/www.farmhouseonboone.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/herb-butter-8-683x1024.jpg)
Tips:
- This is a great way to preserve fresh summer herbs. It adds so much flavor.
- Below, I offer multiple recipes, but you can easily create your own.
- I like to chop my herbs really finely. This helps distribute the herbs throughout the butter and helps you avoid large chunks of anything when eating.
- If you don’t have fresh herbs, you can also do this with dry herbs. The flavor is different compared to fresh, but it is still delicious.
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![Easy Homemade Herb Butter (3) Easy Homemade Herb Butter (3)](https://i0.wp.com/www.farmhouseonboone.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/herb-butter-13-1024x683.jpg)
Ingredients:
Here is a list of a variety of ingredients you could use:
Unsalted butter:This allows you to control how much salt you are using. Also, I highly suggest using real butter. Nothing can quite do the job like real butter.
Herbs:Use one of the following or even a combination of herbs like fresh thyme, basil, parsley, sage, rosemary, cilantro, chives, etc.
Salt:Unrefined sea salt is best.
Fresh garlic:Raw garlic cloves add apowerful kick. Add garlic butter tosourdough French breadto make the best garlic bread. You can use a garlic press, mince, smash, or even make your own roasted garlic.
Sun-dried tomatoes:Add some sun-dried tomatoes to the mix for a fun twist and a lot of flavor.
Lemon zest:Lemon contributes a wonderful punch of sweet and sour. Grate some fresh lemon zest into the fresh herb butter.
![Easy Homemade Herb Butter (4) Easy Homemade Herb Butter (4)](https://i0.wp.com/www.farmhouseonboone.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/herb-butter-12-1-1024x683.jpg)
Tools you may need:
Parchment paper
Knife
Cutting board
Measuring cup
Air-tight container or freezer-safe plastic bag
My Favorite Herb Butter Recipes: Different Flavor Combinations
![Easy Homemade Herb Butter (5) Easy Homemade Herb Butter (5)](https://i0.wp.com/www.farmhouseonboone.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/herb-butter-12-1024x683.jpg)
Basil Butter
1/2 cup butter
1/4 cup fresh basil, chopped
Italian Herb Butter
1/2 cup butter
1/4 cup chopped herbs – thyme, oregano, rosemary and basil
Homemade Garlic Herb Butter
1/2 cup butter
5 cloves garlic, minced
1/4 cup chopped herbs – thyme, chives, and rosemary are all delicious options
Sage Butter
1/2 cup butter
1/4 cup chopped sage
Want to create your own herb butter recipe?
There’s a formulation that gives me great success every time.
Use 1/4 cup of chopped herbs (any variety) with 1/2 cup of butter, adding salt to taste.
![Easy Homemade Herb Butter (6) Easy Homemade Herb Butter (6)](https://i0.wp.com/www.farmhouseonboone.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/herb-butter-14-1-1024x683.jpg)
How To Make Herb Butter:
Set out a stick of butter to soften. This usually takes a few hours. If it is too hard, the butter and herbs will have a difficult time combining.
Add room temperature butter to a small bowl.
![Easy Homemade Herb Butter (7) Easy Homemade Herb Butter (7)](https://i0.wp.com/www.farmhouseonboone.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/herb-butter-14-1024x683.jpg)
Chop herbs and spices finely.
![Easy Homemade Herb Butter (8) Easy Homemade Herb Butter (8)](https://i0.wp.com/www.farmhouseonboone.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/herb-butter-16-1024x683.jpg)
Add the herbs and spices to the butter.
![Easy Homemade Herb Butter (9) Easy Homemade Herb Butter (9)](https://i0.wp.com/www.farmhouseonboone.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/herb-butter-17-1024x683.jpg)
Add salt, to taste, mixing well. One of the easiest ways is to use a hand mixer.
Place the herbed butter mixture in the center of a piece of wax paper, parchment paper, or plastic wrap. Roll up to form a log of butter and herbs. Alternatively, you could use butter molds or even a candy mold to create whatever shape you like.
Place in the fridge for an hour to harden, if desired, or use right away.
If you want to keep it longer term, place it in an air-tight, freezer-safe container and freeze for up to 6 months.
![Easy Homemade Herb Butter (10) Easy Homemade Herb Butter (10)](https://i0.wp.com/www.farmhouseonboone.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/herb-butter-19-1024x683.jpg)
How To Use:
- Use on bread
- Compound butter for steak– Top steak with a little bit of butter when serving (or cooking). Adding butter to steak is a game changer.
- Top veggies
- Add to homemade mashed potatoes
- Smother corn on the cob
- Spice up buttered noodles
- Roast chicken – Before roasting, place the compound butter between the skin and the meat, then roast as usual. It’s delicious. And more.
- Meat dishes
And more.
![Easy Homemade Herb Butter (11) Easy Homemade Herb Butter (11)](https://i0.wp.com/www.farmhouseonboone.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/herb-butter-18-1024x683.jpg)
FAQ
What is herb butter made of?
It is a mixture of real butter with a variety of fresh or dried herbs and salt. You can also add other things like garlic, sun-dried tomatoes, red pepper flakes, or lemon juice.
How long does herb-infused butter last?
It will last about 3-4 weeks in the fridge and up to six months in the freezer.
What is meant by compound butter?
It is simply a mixture of butter with added ingredients like garlic, herbs, and spices.
What’s the difference between regular butter and compound butter?
Compound butter is infused with a variety of flavors from herbs, spices, garlic, lemon, etc.
How long does homemade herb butter last in the refrigerator?
It will last 3-4 weeks in the fridge if stored in an air-tight container.
Can herb butter be frozen?
Yes! My favorite way to store it is in an air-tight container in the freezer. You can enjoy summer fresh herbs in the dead of winter.
Find More Delicious Condiment Recipes:
- Best Cranberry Sauce Recipe
- Homemade Fermented Ketchup
- Mexican Ranch Dressing – Only 3 Ingredients
- Kefir Ranch Dressing Recipe
- Fermented Hot Sauce
If you try this recipe and love it, I would love if you gave it 5 stars! Thank you! Tag me on Instagram @farmhouseonboone.
Herb Butter
This easy homemade herb butter, also known as compound butter, is a great way to add a fresh burst of flavor to many dishes. In this post, you will find four delicious recipes.
5 from 5 votes
Print Pin Rate
Prep Time: 5 minutes minutes
Additional Time: 2 hours hours
Total Time: 2 hours hours 5 minutes minutes
Servings: 32 tablespoons
Author: Lisa
Ingredients
Basil Butter
- 1/2 cup butter
- 1/4 cup basil chopped
Italian Herb Butter
- 1/2 cup butter
- 1/4 cup chopped herbs thyme, oregano, rosemary and basil
Herb Garlic Butter
- 1/2 cup butter
- 5 cloves garlic minced
- 1/4 cup chopped herbs thyme, chives and rosemary are all delicious options
Sage Butter
- 1/2 cup butter
- 1/4 cup chopped sage
Instructions
Set out butter to soften.
Add softened butter to a bowl.
Chop herbs and spices.
Add the herbs and spices to the butter and mix well.
Place the herb butter in the center of parchment paper or plastic wrap. Roll up to form a log.
Place in the fridge for an hour to harden, if desired, or use right away.
Notes
- This is a great way to preserve fresh summer herbs. It adds so much flavor.
- Below, I offer multiple recipes, but you can easily create your own.
- I like to chop my herbs really finely. This helps distribute the herbs throughout the butter and helps you avoid large chunks of anything when eating.
- If you don’t have fresh herbs, you can also do this with dry herbs. The flavor is different compared to fresh, but it is still delicious.
Nutrition
Serving: 1tablespoon | Calories: 103kcal | Carbohydrates: 0.4g | Protein: 0.2g | Fat: 12g | Saturated Fat: 7g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.4g | Monounsaturated Fat: 3g | Trans Fat: 0.5g | Cholesterol: 31mg | Sodium: 91mg | Potassium: 11mg | Fiber: 0.1g | Sugar: 0.01g | Vitamin A: 398IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 8mg | Iron: 0.1mg
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