Prep & Assembly
Compound Butter
Fold flavorings into soft butter, then chill into a finishing log
Compound butter folds herbs, garlic, citrus, or other flavorings into softened butter, which is then rolled into a log and chilled to firm. A coin melted over a steak or vegetables is an instant flavor finish. Soften the butter just enough to mix, then wrap and chill until solid.
Compound butter folds herbs, garlic, citrus, or other flavorings into softened butter, then rolls it into a log and chills it firm. A coin melted over a steak or vegetables is an instant flavor finish. Soften the butter just enough to mix, then wrap and chill until solid.
- Difficulty
- Easy
Types & varieties
Garlic, herbs, anchovy, miso — for meat, veg, and bread.
Honey, cinnamon, citrus zest — for toast and pancakes.
How to do it
- 1
Soften the butter to room temperature.
- 2
Fold in the flavorings and a pinch of salt.
- 3
Spoon it onto parchment and roll into a log.
- 4
Chill until firm, then slice into coins as needed.
Common uses
Tips & pitfalls
- Roll into a tight log so you get neat round slices.
- Make a big batch and freeze the log — it keeps for months.
- A coin melting over a hot steak is the classic finish.
Good to know
- Tool
- Softened butter, bowl, parchment or wrap
- Best for
- Steaks, vegetables, bread, fish
- Cue
- Flavorings evenly distributed; chilled firm
Also called
flavored butter · herb butter
Related
Whisk
Beat ingredients smooth and aerated with a looping wire motion
Sift
Pass dry ingredients through mesh to aerate and remove lumps
Strain
Pour through mesh to separate solids from liquid for a smooth result
Filter
Pass liquid through fine material to clarify out the smallest particles
Rice
Press cooked potatoes through small holes for fluffy, lump-free texture
Mash
Crush soft cooked food into a rustic, creamy purée
Grind
Crush food into a coarse to fine texture, from spices to meat
Grate
Shred food into fine bits against a sharp-toothed surface