Herb Butter Takes Your Dishes to a New Level of Deliciousness

An otherwise plain and bland dish, herb butter makes your dish much superior and delectable. You can easily make your own, using fresh herbs from your garden or store-bought. If you have more herbs than you need for cooking, this is one of the best ways utilizing them. Waste not! So, I hear you asking – how to make a herb butter?

In this article, you will find out precisely what herb butter is and how to easily make your own. Also, simple ways using them. Do not miss this! Let’s impress your dinner guests with buttery goodness.

Get started, shall we?

What is Herb Butter

Have you heard of herb butter? Probably yes. I got to know this term from the restaurant’s menu. Usually, listed as a sauce or accompaniment for grilled steaks, lamb chops or grilled fish.

Herb butter is also known as compound butter, a term which I found out most recently.

Simply explained, herb butter is butter that has been mixed with herbs. Usually, shaped into a log and chilled until firmed. As and when needed, it is sliced to portion and served with food.

Sounds delicious, doesn’t it? Let’s get rolling with the how.

How to Make a Herb Butter

Things are easier said than done – I used to say this very often. But making your own herb butter is really easy.

All you need is a good brand of fresh butter and fresh herbs.

Salted or Unsalted Butter

You may use either salted or unsalted butter.

With unsalted butter, you can control your salt intake. If you wish, simply add a bit of salt to the unsalted butter or use regular salted butter.

Using it on meat, you may want to add a little bit more salt to the unsalted butter. For this reason, it is good to know what you intend to use your herb butter for?

Fresh or Dried Herbs

Similar to the butter, you may opt to use fresh or dried herbs. Personally, I love fresh herbs. How about you?

Another reason why I opt to use fresh is that unlike dried herbs, the freshness and quality deteriorate fast. As I dislike wastages, using the fresh herbs quickly minimizes the leftovers.

These common fresh herbs can be used to make a herb butter.

• Basil
• Chives
• Dill
• Oregano
• Parsley
• Rosemary
• Thyme

Now that you have the butter and herbs sorted out, here are the

Steps for Making Your Own Herb Butter

A guideline to follow is using 1 stick of butter (1/2 cup) to 1 tablespoon of finely chopped fresh herbs or 1 teaspoon of dried herbs.

You may consider reducing the amount when using potent herbs such as rosemary and sage. On the contrary, increase the amount when it comes to mild herbs, for instance, basil and parsley.

• Let the butter stand at room temperature until softened. The butter should be easy to stir.
• Using fresh herbs, rinse them thoroughly and air dry before chopping. Good to know that herb scissors make the task easier. If you don’t have one, it is easily available on Amazon.
• In a small bowl, combine butter and herbs, and mix well until herbs are evenly distributed.
• Scoop the herb butter onto a piece of waxed or parchment paper or plastic food wrap.
• Shape into a log by rolling it in the paper.
• Wrap the log and twist both ends to seal it.
• Chill in the refrigerator until firm, at least an hour.

Herb butter can be stored in the refrigerator for several days, up to 2 weeks. In doing so, pack the log into a sealed container or freezer bag.

If need to, herb butter can be frozen for 2 months. Allow time to thaw before serving.

Simply slice the herb butter to the amount needed or several thin slices should you want to serve it separately on the table.

MoUlded Herb Butter

Are you hosting a dinner any time soon? Surely, you want to add a touch of elegance to the dining table beside charming your guest with delicious meals.

Yes! Herb butter easily enhances the flavour of your dishes. And a moulded herb butter pat will beautify your dish or table setting.

Besides rolling the herb butter into a log, you can use moulds to shape the butter into beautiful shapes.

Another good reason to do this is that it is easier to handle moulded butter when serving. Instead of slicing the log of butter, you can easily use or serve the herb butter pats individually.

Silicon ice cubes tray, candy moulds or mini muffin pans can be used. Cookie cutters work well too. Make your butter pats according to the occasions. It could be a bunny shaped for Easter, Christmas tree or gingerbread man for Christmas and so forth.

This is how you do it:

1. Fill the moulds with the herb butter mixture (explained above). Use a small spatula to work it in, making sure no air pockets are formed.
2. Freeze the herb butter for about ½ an hour or until firm.
3. To lift the butter from the mould, place a plate or pan on top of the mould/butter. Flip it over and run the mould under hot water for a few seconds. Then, flip the mould over to the top side, remove the mould and you will see your beautiful butter pats on the plate.

You can refrigerate the herb butter pats in a closed container until you need them.

Take a closer look at these Butter Molds on Amazon

How to Use Herb Butter

Basically, you can use herb butter on any meat dish and seafood such as beef, lamb, pork, poultry, fish, lobster and shrimp.

As soon as the meat comes off the grill or fry pan, place a slice of herb butter on it and let the butter melt gradually. I assured you, it is a beautiful sight with a wonderful aroma looking at the herb butter melting away, releasing its buttery herbaceous aroma while being absorbed into the food. (sorry for the mouthful sentence ;-))

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Herb butter can also be used on vegetables, corn on the cob, mashed potatoes and bread.

Here are some tips on pairing food with herb butter.

Garlic Herb Butter. This is my favourite and I normally use parsley. It goes perfectly on sliced baguette or any bread.

Basil Butter. Goes well on chicken, fish and vegetables. You must try it on the scrambled egg!

Mint Butter. Mint can never go wrong with lamb. It pairs well with peas too.

Sage Butter. Pairs well with chicken and seafood. Vegetable too, such as fresh green beans.

Tarragon Butter. Chicken, lamb and fish are good pairings.

Parsley and Chive Butter. Goes well with red meat, corn on the cob, baked potatoes and eggs.

Here is a simple Garlic Herb Butter recipe from Genius Kitchen.

To Sum Up

Now that you know how to make a herb butter, would you consider making your own? Go on, try it out and use them to elevate your home cooking.

The fresh taste and aroma of the herbs, coupled with the rich buttery flavour, herb butter is a desirable combination that adds an exquisite touch to any dish you cook.

Impress your guest! Your family and friends will be astonished by the deliciousness of your home cooked meals. They will probably never go back to plain butter and will be asking for your secret recipe. Will you share?

Making herb butter is also a good way to preserve your fresh herbs. I am frugal and will find ways to use up my herbs before they lose their freshness. Being able to make delicious herb butter to reduce the wastage, why not?

You may find it easier using a mould when making your herb butter. The first couple of times I did, rolling into the shape of a log, it didn’t really end up pretty. Nonetheless, the flavours are great but I find the moulded herb butter beautiful and fun to work with. The choice is yours! Try them out!

Have fun creating your own version of the herb butter. Play around with the choices of herbs. You need not necessarily follow the exact recipe. Go with your own palate.

Consider adding spices such as paprika, red pepper flakes and ground black pepper to spice it up. Or give it a citrusy flavour with lemon or orange zest that goes well with a seafood dish.

That’s about it on this topic. Now, I ask you – Do you know what a bouquet garni is? Find out here.

Consider Growing Your Own Herbs

Fresh herbs are a powerful source of food Mother Nature provides. They are nutritional and medicinal. With so many usages for fresh herbs, grow your own and use them all year round. Read related articles here. With the information, you can easily start your little herb garden indoors.

Please Leave a Comment

Share with us your experiences with herb butter if any.

If you have not tried making your own, will you now? Since you know exactly what herb butter is and how it helps you serve delicious dishes, you must try! Yes, No?

Look forward to reading your comments.

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From the Corner of My Home – Spice Up Your Life with Herbs and Spices

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