Flavored butter, also called compound butter, is one of the easiest ways to add something special to everyday meals. Whether it’s spread on warm bread, melted over vegetables, or served with biscuits, a simple mixture of butter and a few fresh ingredients can completely change the flavor.
Today I’m sharing three easy flavored butter recipes: lemon basil butter, rosemary honey butter, and strawberry butter. Each one comes together in just a few minutes using softened butter and a handful of ingredients. They are simple enough for everyday use, but also make thoughtful homemade gifts when packaged in small jars with a pretty tag.
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What is Flavored Butter?
Flavored butter is simply softened butter that’s mixed with ingredients such as fresh herbs, fruit, honey, garlic, citrus zest, or spices. It’s an easy way to add flavor to everyday foods without any special equipment or cooking skills.
Unlike traditional homemade butter that’s made by churning or whipping heavy cream, these flavored butter recipes begin with regular store-bought butter. Once the ingredients are mixed together, the butter can be refrigerated until needed. Spread it on warm bread, biscuits, muffins, or bagels, or use it to add extra flavor to vegetables, potatoes, chicken, and fish.
How To Make Flavored Butter
Making flavored butter is as simple as mixing softened butter with herbs, fruit, honey, spices, or other flavorings. The recipes below include three different flavor combinations, but the ingredient amounts can easily be adjusted to suit your own taste. Once combined, the butter can be transferred to a small jar or shaped into a log and refrigerated until firm. Here is the basic method:
- Let the butter soften at room temperature.
- Add the flavor ingredients.
- Mix until everything is evenly combined.
- Transfer to a serving dish, jar, or a piece of wax paper.
- Refrigerate until ready to use.
Lemon Basil Butter
Fresh basil, lemon, and garlic combine to make a bright, savory butter that’s delicious on bread, vegetables, grilled chicken, or fish. If you enjoy cooking with fresh herbs, see my guide on how to grow basil for tips on growing an abundant harvest in pots or containers.
- 1/2 cup salted butter (soft)
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh basil
- zest of one lemon
- 1 teaspoon fresh lemon juice
- 1 garlic clove finely chopped
Rosemary Honey Butter
This rosemary honey butter combines sweet honey with the earthy flavor of fresh rosemary. It’s especially good spread on warm rosemary bread, biscuits, and muffins. If you’d like to grow your own rosemary, see my guide on how to grow rosemary in containers. This flavored butter is a wonderful way to use a few freshly snipped sprigs.
- 1/2 cup salted butter (room temperature)
- 2 tablespoons fresh chopped rosemary
- 2 tablespoons honey (this is my favorite)
Strawberry Butter
Light, fluffy, and slightly sweet, strawberry butter is perfect for biscuits, toast, English muffins, and scones. Fresh strawberries give it beautiful color and flavor, making it a favorite for brunches and special breakfasts.
- 1/2 cup soft salted butter
- 1/2 cup powdered sugar
- 3 – 6 fresh strawberries pureed or finely chopped
Helpful Tips
- Finely chop any fresh herbs so they blend evenly into the butter and are easy to spread.
- Start with softened butter. It should be soft enough to mix easily, but not melted.
- Taste and adjust the ingredients as you mix. Add more herbs, honey, fruit, or citrus zest to suit your preference.
- Shape the butter into a log using wax paper or plastic wrap, then refrigerate until firm. Slice and serve as needed.
- It’s also very convenient to place the compound butter in a wide-mouth mason jar. The butter can be easily scooped out and the jars store well in the refrigerator.
- If using unsalted butter, add a pinch of salt to bring out the flavors.
How To Store Flavored Butter
- Transfer the flavored butter to an airtight container or a mason jar with a tight-fitting lid and store it in the refrigerator. Because these recipes contain fresh ingredients, they are best enjoyed within one week.
- For longer storage, place the butter in a freezer-safe container or wrap it tightly and freeze for up to three months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before using.
- For the best texture and spreadability, let the butter sit at room temperature for about 20 minutes before serving.
How to Make Flavored Butter
Instructions
Lemon Basil Butter
- 1/2 cup soft salted butter
- 2 tablespoons fresh basil finely chopped
- Zest of one lemon
- 1 teaspoon fresh lemon juice
- 1 clove garlic finely chopped
- Add all ingredients to a mixing bowl. Stir until well combined.
Rosemary Honey Butter
- 1/2 cup soft salted butter
- 2 tablespoons fresh rosemary finely chopped
- 2 tablespoons honey
- Add the butter and rosemary to a mixing bowl. Pour in the honey. Stir until well combined.
Strawberry Butter
- 1/2 cup soft salted butter
- 1/2 cup powdered sugar
- 3 – 6 fresh strawberries finely chopped
- With a stand mixer with the whisk attachment, or hand mixer, blend the butter for 2 minutes. Add powdered sugar and strawberries. Whip for 2 – 3 minutes more.
Notes
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
If you try this recipe, I’d love to hear what you think. A quick rating or comment is always appreciated, and helps other readers too.
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I’ve been looking for some easy, savory flavored butter recipes. Thanks for sharing.
Absolutely lovely … made my tastebuds so happy!
Ann, I am so thrilled to find someone else who likes Marcus Aurelius. I’ve had the quote you shared in a frame in our bathroom, and I’ve read it every morning for quite a few years now. Here’s another one you may like:
‘The happiness of your life depends on the quality of your thoughts.’
(Marcus Aurelius)
I appreciate all that you share with the rest of us who are lucky to know about you. I’ve learned, and continue to learn, so much from you. Thank you, Ann.
Warmest wishes,
Sharon <3
These butters sound so good. Your post reminded me of a humorous thing that happened one Christmas when I visited my brother. I was living in Phoenix and rosemary grew so prolifically there that it was used in planters everywhere. I decided I would take some rosemary to make into wreaths as a host gift only to be told when I made my holiday offering that my brother hated both the smell and taste of rosemary! I recalled then that he had always had an aversion to sausage because of the sage. Every time I now cook with rosemary, and I love it on pork steaks, I recall this house guest faux pas.
Love your rosemary projects. I think you might live close enough to Perrysburg,OH to visit Angel 101. They have wonderful rosemary plants. I always have one or two on my kitchen island. You will love downtown Perrysburg- great little shops and restaurants, and a wonderful stroll along the Maumee River!
Yum! Can’t wait to try! Thanks, Ann!
I tried your lemon basil butter and strawberry butter. Both delicious!! Thanks for sharing these recipes!
I am making the lemon basil butter, and the rosemary honey today – it’s a good way to use the last of the summer herbs in our garden. Thanks!
I love to give homemade bread away and the addition of one of these butters
will be like ‘icing on the cake’!
How kind of your to share the butter recipes. Am able to harvest some fresh basil and it will be a nice change from using it for pesto.
Happy summer.
I love herb butter. Thanks for sharing. I’ll be making these often.
These look lovely Ann.
Think I will give a few of them a go since i grow my own herbs. Strawberry season is upon us in my neck of the woods.
Really lovely. Thanks for sharing
S. Rohtenburger
Love ! Will definitely make all three and can’t wait to try. The fact that they can be frozen make them a win-win! Thank you, Ann.
Absolutely delicious!!! But ….. I cannot get fresh herbs here so I will try your rosemary and honey butter with dried herbs – maybe it will work.
Love these, sounds Delish.
Oh. My. Goodness! These look wonderful! Can’t wait to try them all. I’m hosting my Grace ladies from church next week and you just made it amazing! Can always count on you for some delicious goodness! Thanks!