Flavorful Compound Butters
Compound butters are one of those little culinary secrets that instantly make any dish feel special. Spread them on warm bread, melt into pasta, or top grilled meats and veggies — they add big flavor with almost no effort.
Italian Translation: Burro alle Erbe
Category: Sauces & Condiments (“Salse”)
Michelle’s Cucina
A note from my kitchen to yours.
Summer brings fresh basil, blooming herbs, grill nights, corn on the cob, juicy cobblers — and the kind of simple recipes that let ingredients shine. Compound butters are a classic kitchen trick that can make a weeknight meal feel special or bring a touch of elegance to a dinner party or holiday table. They’re quick to make, endlessly versatile, and packed with flavor. Below are three of my favorites to get you started — and hopefully spark some creative ideas of your own.
What You’ll Need to Make FLAVORFUL COMPOUND BUTTERS:
- Unsalted Butter – softened to room temperature
- Flavorful Fresh Herbs & Spices
- Plastic Wrap
How to Make FLAVORFUL COMPOUND BUTTERS:
STEP 1: Softening the butter
We want to soften the butter, not melt it. You can leave a stick of butter, covered, on the counter overnight to bring to room temperature; or you can soften a bit faster by cutting it in cubes, placing cubes in a bowl, directly over another bowl of hot water.
STEP 2: Mixing the herbs
Using a spatula, mix in the desired finely chopped herb/s and/or other spices until well combined.
STEP 3: Wrapping the compound butter logs
Lay out 2 pieces of plastic wrap approximately 12” long. Scoop about a half of the mixture, and place on the plastic wrap –in the center, on the end towards you. Fold the bottom of the wrap on top of the butter and carefully roll away from you; trying to keep the ends ‘open’ so that air bubbles are released. Once you’ve reached the top, pinch one end of the plastic wrap and twist pretty snugly and tie a knot. Similarly, pinch the other end and do the same. Repeat on the 2nd piece of plastic wrap using the 2nd half of the butter and herb mixture.
La Tocco Finale (“The Final Touch”):
A glass of wine, some warm bread, a swipe of herbed butter — what more does one need?
How to Serve FLAVORFUL COMPOUND BUTTERS:
Dill & Sea Salt is perfect for: Corn on the Cob, Chicken &/or Vegetable Skewers; or warm Sourdough Bread
Roasted Garlic & Rosemary savoriness is ideal for: Roasted New Potatoes, Grilled Steaks, or warm Focaccia Bread
Basil & Honey sweetness simplicity is great for: adding to Cobblers, on fresh Pasta or Gnocchi, or warm Ciabatta bread
Buon Appetito!
La Vita, Simplified:
These little butter logs freeze beautifully. For single servings, let the log set in the fridge, then slice into ¼-inch rounds, freeze flat, and transfer to a freezer bag. Just grab one whenever you need a little flavor boost.
FLAVORFUL COMPOUND BUTTERS
Equipment
- Medium Mixing Bowl
- Spatula
- Plastic Wrap
Ingredients
- ½ cup Unsalted Butter - Softened to Room Temperature
Dill & Sea Salt Compound Butter
- 1 teaspoon Fresh Dill - Roughly chopped
- ¼ teaspoon Sea Salt
Roasted Garlic & Rosemary Compound Butter:
- 2 cloves Roasted Garlic
- 1 teaspoon Fresh Rosemary - Finely chopped
Basil & Honey Compound Butter:
- 1 Tablespoon Fresh Basil - Finely chopped
- 1 teaspoon Honey
Instructions
- Place softened butter in a medium mixing bowl. Using a spatula, mix in the desired finely chopped herb/s and/or other spices per ingredient list above.
- Lay out 2 pieces of plastic wrap approximately 12” long.
- Scoop about a half of the mixture, and place on the plastic wrap –in the center, on the end towards you.
- Fold the bottom of the wrap on top of the butter and carefully roll away from you, trying to keep the ends ‘open’ so that air bubbles are released.
- Once you’ve reached the top, pinch one end of the plastic wrap and twist pretty snugly and tie a knot.
- Similarly, pinch the other end and do the same.
- Repeat on the 2nd piece of plastic wrap using the 2nd half of the butter and herb mixture.
Notes
- When beginning, make sure the butter is softened and not melted.
- Compound butters will last up to 2 weeks in the fridge; and up to 6 months in the freezer
- Dill & Sea Salt is perfect for: Corn on the Cob, Chicken &/or Vegetable Skewers; or warm Sourdough Bread
- Roasted Garlic & Rosemary savoriness is ideal for: Roasted New Potatoes, Grilled Steaks, or warm Focaccia Bread
- Basil & Honey sweetness simplicity is great for: adding to Cobblers, on fresh Pasta or Gnocchi, or warm Ciabatta bread
SHARE YOUR CREATION!
Tag @AnItalianKitchen and bring your cucina to mine.