Compound butter is believed to be of French origin, though there is no doubt in my mind that herbs have been incorporated into butter and fats long before they were first attributed to fine French cuisine. While butter gets a bad rap for its high fat content, fat is essential for our bodies and like all things in life, it’s about moderation! With compound butter, not only are you adding herbs and spices for flavor, but you are also incorporating the beneficial constituents of those plants into your culinary preparations. Am I insinuating that this is a health-food recipe?Not at all. But I do believe that a balanced diet that includes herbs and spices at every turn is important.

In addition to the more functional aspects of cooking, mealtime should be a time of joy—at least that's what my Italian genetics tell me. Even the smallest of gestures, like folding napkins in fancy patterns, lighting candles, or in this case, making homemade herbal butters, can take even the simplest of spreads and make them feel like something really special. This extra little pizazz shows that you put the time and effort into the finer details. You can even take it one step further and make them into shapes that fit the occasion.

Compound Butter Recipes

Italian Herbal Butter

Makes about 1/2 cup.

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup organic butter or vegan alternative (unsalted)
• 1/4 tsp. organic basil leaf
• 1/4 tsp. organic garlic powder
• 1/4 tsp. organic parsley leaf
• 1/8 tsp. organic oregano leaf
• 1/8-1/4 tsp. salt, to taste (optional)
  
  

Spiced Turmeric Compound Butter Recipe

Ingredients

Makes about 1/2 cup.

• 1/2 cup organic butter or vegan alternative (unsalted)
• 1/2 tsp. organic paprika powder
• 1/4 tsp. organic ground peppercorn
• 1/4 tsp. organic turmeric root powder
• 1/8 tsp. organic roasted chili powder
• 1/8-1/4 tsp. smoked salt, to taste (optional)
  
  

Directions

1. Soften butter until it is completely malleable. (Do not melt.)
2. Add spices and mix together using a fork.
3. Once completely incorporated, spoon into mold of choice.
4. Pick up mold and drop it onto counter several times to work out any air bubbles.  
5. If using within a week, place in refrigerator to harden so they will pop out of the mold cleanly.
6. If making ahead of time, place mold in the freezer and once completely solid, pop out and put in an airtight container for longer term storage. (Don’t forget to label!)

Pro tip: If using them on the dinner table, remember to remove them from the fridge or freezer early enough to be soft for spreading. 

How to Use Compound Butters

You can use compound butter any way you would use regular butter, but here are some of my favorites!

• Spread on bread or toast
• As a cooking fat for morning eggs
• Sautee base for vegetables
• As a flavoring and cooking fat for fish, meat, or protein of choice
• Grilled cheese
• Macaroni and cheese
• Mashed potatoes
• Baked potatoes
• Corn on the cob

Can You Use Fresh Herbs in Compound Butter?

Many herbal compound butter recipes use fresh herbs, but I prefer dried herbs for storage reasons. Fresh herbs have a high water content, which can cause the butter to spoil more quickly. If you are freezing the butter, fresh would be completely suitable. I also always have dried herbs and powders on hand and can make it without a trip to the grocery store.

I hope this simple herb-inspired recipe brings joy to you and yours for many meals to come.

Looking for other tasty ways to add herbs to your diet?

Check Out These DIY Herbal Salt Blends

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