Learn how to make a compound butter spread and upgrade any dish. These compound butter recipes are deliciously served over steak, shrimp, fish, chicken, potatoes, or your favorite baguette, and they can be easily modified with different flavors to satisfy your taste bud.
Whenever I visit my favorite steakhouse restaurant, I always look forward to the hissing sound of herb butter as it melts atop my steak- It brings so much excitement to my palate.
You might be wondering, what exactly is compound butter?
Compound butter is softened butter mixed with herbs, spices, or sweet and savory liquids. Once combined, the butter is then shaped into a log using cling wrap, wax, or parchment paper and stored in the refrigerator or freezer for future use.
Uses of Compound Butter
Compound butter spreads can be used for a variety of things. It can be used over poultry, beef, seafood, vegetables, and grains. It can also be used to enhance a homemade sauce.
How to make Compound Butter
I’ll be sharing a few of my favorite recipes for sweet and savory herbed butter spreads. Feel free to play around with distinctive flavors to see what you fancy.
Generally, to make compound butter, you’ll need;
- Butter (duh, right?!)
- fresh herbs
- spices
- aromatic liquids
Also, have a small bowl, fork, whisk or rubber spatula, and parchment or wax paper, and cling wrap on hand.
Compound Butter Ideas
I'll be sharing a handful of compound butter recipes for you to try on your favorite animal protein or vegetables.
First up are two of my favorite sweet compound butter spreads.
Herbed Mascarpone Compound Butter Spread.
This is a great compound butter for salmon, Halibut, shrimps, and lots more. To make this compound butter for fish and more, grab the recipe below.
Herbed Mascarpone Compound Butter Spread.
Ingredients
- 8 tablespoons butter (1 stick) at room temperature
- 4 Oz. Mascarpone cheese at room temperature
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard I used chardonnay and honey mustard
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh dill
- 1 tablespoon chopped fresh chives
- 1 tablespoon Honey I used less
Instructions
- Combine all the ingredients in a bowl. Whisk or stir using a rubber spatula until well combined. Wrap in a parchment or wax paper and shape into a log. Store in the refrigerator for 4-6 days or in the freezer overnight. Once frozen, cut into chunks and store in the freezer for up to 6 months. To serve, place the discs over a hot dish or allow to soften at room temperature.
Nutrition
Honey Cinnamon Compound Butter Spread.
This is best served over rolls or a baguette. This spread is my son's favorite from Texas Roadhouse.
8 tablespoons butter (1 stick) at room temperature
2-3 teaspoons honey
3 teaspoons powdered sugar (I used Swerve confectioners)
½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
Combine all the ingredients in a bowl. Whisk or stir using a rubber spatula until well combined. Wrap in a parchment or wax paper and shape into a log — store in the refrigerator for 4-6 days or in the freezer overnight. Once frozen, cut into chunks and store in the freezer for up to 6 months.
Up next, we have the savory butter spreads with extra kick-flavor heaven.
Italian Flavored Herbed Compound Butter Spread.
This Italian-flavored butter is great on almost anything. I like it especially on pasta.
Italian Flavored Herbed Compound Butter Spread.
Ingredients
- 12 tablespoons butter (1 ¼ stick) at room temperature
- 1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley
- 1 teaspoon chopped fresh thyme
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- Zest of one lemon
- 2 tablespoons lime juice
- Salt n Pepper to taste
Instructions
- Combine all the ingredients in a bowl. Whisk or stir using a rubber spatula until well combined. Wrap in a parchment or wax paper and shape into a log.
Add a dollop of this spread on pasta, chicken or steak
Nutrition
Mediterranean Flavored Herbed Compound Butter.
This Mediterranean-flavored compound butter will be great on grilled vegetables like corn, eggplant, potatoes, and lots more. Use it as a dip when it is at room temperature or brush over grilled veggies.
Mediterranean Flavored Herbed Compound Butter spread.
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 shallot, chopped
- 8 tablespoons butter (1 stick) at room temperature
- 1 tablespoon chopped fresh Oregano
- 1 tablespoon chopped fresh basil
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- ½ teaspoon cayenne powder
- ½ teaspoon cumin
- ½ teaspoon coriander
- Salt and Pepper to taste
Instructions
- Heat the oil in a small skillet over medium-low heat. Add the shallots and saute for 1 minute. Remove from heat and set aside to cool completely.Combine the rest of the ingredients including the sauteed shallots in a bowl, and stir to combine. Wrap in a parchment or wax paper and shape into a log. Store in the refrigerator for 4-6 days or in the freezer overnight.
Nutrition
Mexican Flavored Herbed Butter
Mexican Flavored Herbed Compound Butter Spread
Ingredients
- 8 tablespoons butter (1 stick) at room temperature
- 2 garlic clove, chopped shallot is fine, too
- ½ Jalapeño pepper, seeded and finely chopped
- 2 tablespoon chopped fresh cilantro
- 1 tablespoon chopped fresh basil optional
- Zest from 1 lime
- 1 tablespoon freshly squeezed lime juice
- Salt n Pepper to taste
Instructions
- Combine all the ingredients in a bowl, stir using a rubber spatula until well combined. Place butter in a parchment or wax paper and shape into a log — store in the refrigerator for 4-6 days or in the freezer for up to 6 months.
Nutrition
There you have it! Some quick and easy delicious compound butter spreads that will instantly give any dish a facelift. These butter spreads will pair well with my maple glazed asparagus, carrot, and chicken dish.
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Peace & Love
Maureen
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Brie says
This looks great! I could put it on my morning toast and have some amazing flavor.
Maureen Celestine says
Yes, Brie, that'd be a hit.
Michael says
Quite interesting. Never seen or heard of it before. I would like to try it though. Seems like more of a candy to me really
Maureen Celestine says
Haha... it could be depending on what you put in it 🙂 I hope you try it, It gives a dish an Oumph.
Chad says
Super love the idea of herbed butter spreads, so practical for when I have a surprise guest. Thanks a lot for sharing.
Maureen Celestine says
Thanks, Chad. Me too!
Heather Barber McMechan says
I can't get over how pretty everything looks. I'd like to give this a try sometime. Might be worth making with the girls.
Maureen Celestine says
I hope you give it a try Heather. Thanks for stopping by.
Melissa M Sanchez says
Oh my goodness, I have to start out by saying that there really ins't anything better than compound butter. The combinations are endless, I used to love it! Since I had to drop all dairy for health reasons I have not been able to find a good alternative!
Maureen Celestine says
Oh mine, I am sorry to hear that Melissa. I hope there are better options out there, maybe on Amazon.
Ashley - Forking Up says
I love making compound butters! They can really bring a dish to the next level.
Maureen Celestine says
That's a fact! Thanks, girl.
Bree says
I love the flavor of the butter! It was an instant hit so now I will be making this at every dinner party - thanks for the great recipe!
Maureen Celestine says
My pleasure, Bree! I am glad you liked it. 😉
Christa says
I always love when restaurants have flavored butter spreads but have never tried making them at home. I can’t wait to try out a few different recipes!
Maureen Celestine says
I love the endless combinations. I hope you give it a try soon. Thanks!
Lyosha says
I am not big on spreads, I normally make it for parties with friends and eat it a seldom myself. But your recipe looks lovely, if I go spreads any time soon again I will make sure to use your recipe
Maureen Celestine says
Thanks, Lyosha! I hope you give it a try.
Kathleen Cregg says
These recipes sound amazing! They'll be perfect for the birthday party I'm going to this weekend - I'm required to bring an appetizer!
Maureen Celestine says
Hey Kathleen! Make them all, give them options. Let me know how it goes, enjoy! 🙂
Clare Minall says
Wow, I have never tried this spread recipe looks really delicious and easy. I will try to make this for my kids, thanks for sharing!
Maureen Celestine says
Hi Clare! The honey cinnamon is a kids favorite. I hope they enjoy it.
Catherine Santiago Jose says
This is such a great recipe for DIY butter spreads that will definitely love and enjoy by everyone. The texture of this spreads is so enticing to the eyes and very tempting too.
Maureen Celestine says
Thanks, Catherine. It's delicious.
Alyssa Dawson says
Those spreads looks absolutely delicious! My mouth is literally watering, I think I'm just going to dip all the french bread in that!!
Maureen Celestine says
Go for it, Alyssa! 🙂 Thanks
Danielle says
I can't get over how easy these look to make. Plus they all look absolutely delicious! Will have to try them out myself.
Maureen Celestine says
Thanks, Danielle!
Danielle says
I love compound butter spreads! Thank you for sharing. I want to try making this!