Best Homemade Butter Recipes: Savory & Sweet Compound Butter
Every week, I churn fresh butter from my sweet Jersey cow, and it never gets old. These homemade butter recipes, simple sweet and savory compound butter, are some of my favorite ways to turn that fresh butter into something special. As spring slowly wakes up the garden, I'm snipping tender herbs and digging into last season's garlic to whip up a few batches of compound butter that make even the simplest meals feel extra.
You don't need a milk cow to make this recipe special (though I'll always cheer you on if you want one!). Whether you use store-bought butter or churn your own (learn how to make butter from scratch here), these sweet and savory compound butter recipes are a quick, flavorful way to elevate everything from roasted veggies to warm dinner rolls and flaky homemade biscuits.
A Quick Look at the Recipe
- Recipe Name: Homemade Compound Butter (Savory & Sweet Versions)
- Ready In: 10 minutes (plus 1 hour chill time)
- Yields: About 2 sticks of compound butter
- Calories: Approx. 120 per tablespoon
- Main Ingredients: Butter, garlic, fresh herbs (parsley, rosemary, chives), lemon zest, honey, cinnamon
- Dietary Info: Naturally gluten-free, freezer-friendly, easy to scale
- Pairs Well With:
- Soft & Fluffy Dinner Rolls
- Homemade Biscuits
- Roasted veggies, grilled meats, pancakes, sweet potatoes
- Why You'll Love It: Comes together fast, uses garden herbs or pantry staples, keeps well in the freezer, and adds rich flavor to everyday meals or special holiday dishes.
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What is Compound Butter?
If you've never made an infused butter, think of it as normal butter but taken to the next level! By blending softened butter with herbs, spices, or sweet ingredients, you can create a savory butter that enhances the flavor of a dish or a sweet butter that's perfect for serving with appetizers and bread.
The best butter for this is real, high-quality butter-you can use unsalted butter if you want to control the amount of salt, but I personally love using salted butter for that extra richness.
Why You'll Love These Compound Butter Recipes
- Big flavor, minimal effort - Just mix and chill. That's it!
- Perfect for garden season - A delicious way to use fresh herbs or last year's garlic.
- Freezer-friendly - Make once, enjoy for months.
- Versatile - Spread on bread, melt over meats, or top pancakes with a sweet version.
Ingredient Notes + Substitutions
Butter
Start with real, high-quality butter. Salted butter adds a deeper richness, but you can absolutely use unsalted if you want more control over the seasoning.
Herbs
Fresh herbs like parsley, rosemary, thyme, and chives bring vibrant, bright flavor. Dried herbs work just as well, especially in the off-season-just use about a third of the amount since they're more potent.
Garlic
Fresh garlic adds that classic punch. I love using a garlic press to keep the texture smooth.
Sweet Add-Ins
Honey, cinnamon, and citrus zest (like orange or lemon) are dreamy in sweet compound butters. You can also get creative with things like maple syrup, brown sugar, or even a pinch of cardamom.
Step-by-Step: How to Make Compound Butter
Making compound butter is as easy as softening butter and mixing in your favorite herbs, garlic, or sweet ingredients. Here are a few tips to make the process smooth and successful:
- Start with softened butter. Let it sit at room temperature until it's easy to stir. Cutting it into chunks helps it warm faster.
- Use a hand mixer or food processor if you're doing a big batch-it makes blending quicker and fluffier.
- Shape and chill. I like rolling the butter into a log with parchment paper or pressing it into a ramekin. Refrigerate for at least an hour to let the flavors meld.
- Taste and adjust as you mix. A little extra salt, lemon juice, or zest can go a long way.
Savory Compound Butter Ideas
These savory versions are perfect for grilled meats, fresh sourdough, or roasted veggies from the garden.
- Garlic Herb Compound Butter - Fresh garlic, parsley, rosemary, and chives. My go-to!
- Garlic Compound Butter - Perfect for garlic bread, pasta, and roasted veggies. Use a garlic press for a smoother texture.
- Lemon Zest & Herb Butter - Light, bright, and so good with seafood or spring veggies.
- All-Herb Butter - Use whatever's growing-thyme, chives, dill, oregano. It all works beautifully.
- Add-ins to try: crisp bacon bits, blue cheese crumbles, or even sundried tomatoes for deeper flavor.
Also feel free to experiment using foods like crisp bacon bits, blue cheese, and feta. The combo's are endless!
Sweet Compound Butter Recipes
These sweet options are dreamy on warm rolls, pancakes, or sweet potatoes.
- Cinnamon Honey Butter - Classic, cozy, and always a hit.
- Orange Zest & Honey Butter - A little sunshine for your breakfast table.
You can also mix in a splash of vanilla, or crushed freeze-dried berries for a fun twist! Another fun recipe to try is this maple butter recipe, great for the holidays.
Variations & Seasonal Ideas
- Spring: Lemon + chive or dill + garlic.
- Summer: Basil + roasted garlic or blueberry + honey.
- Fall: Sage + brown butter or cinnamon + maple.
- Winter: Cranberry orange or rosemary + thyme for roasts.
Try shaping compound butter into small ramekins or decorative molds for holiday gatherings!
Fresh Herbs vs. Dried Herbs in Compound Butter
When making homemade compound butter, you can use either fresh herbs or dried herbs, but they do affect the flavor of a dish differently. Fresh herbs-like fresh parsley, rosemary, or thyme-have a brighter, more vibrant flavor and add little bursts of freshness to the butter. However, they have a higher water content, which means they won't last as long in the fridge.
On the other hand, dried herbs have a more concentrated flavor and blend smoothly into the butter, making them a great way to add depth when fresh herbs aren't available. Since they contain no moisture, they also help your butter last longer in storage.
If using dried herbs, start with about one-third the amount of fresh, since their flavors are more intense. Whether you choose fresh or dried, both bring tons of flavor to your savory compound butter or sweet butters, so experiment with what you have on hand!
Pro Tips for the Best Compound Butter
- Use high-quality butter - The best butter makes the best-tasting compound butter.
- Experiment with dried herbs - They work well when fresh herbs aren't available.
- Add a little olive oil - Helps make the butter more spreadable.
- Make a whole batch - Compound butter stores beautifully for future use.
FAQ About Butter
It will keep for 1-2 weeks when wrapped tightly in plastic or stored in an airtight container.
Yes! Freeze logs wrapped in wax paper or sealed in a freezer bag for up to 6 months.
No problem! Just reduce the amount by about two-thirds since dried herbs are more concentrated.
Slice and serve over warm bread, grilled steaks, roasted veggies, or holiday sides.
How to Store & Freeze Compound Butter
- In the fridge: Wrap in plastic wrap, tin foil, or store in a freezer-safe container for 1-2 weeks.
- In the freezer: Roll into a log shape, wrap in wax paper or a freezer bag, and freeze for up to 6 months.
- Easy way to use frozen butter: Slice off what you need and let it soften at room temperature.
You May Also Want To Try:
Easy Compound Butter Recipe
Ingredients
Garlic Herb Compound Butter
- 1 cup of butter softened at room temperature
- 2 cloves garlic minced or pressed
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley chopped
- 1 tablespoon fresh rosemary chopped
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- ½ teaspoon salt adjust to taste
- 1 tablespoon fresh minced Chives
- 1 teaspoon fresh lemon juice optional, for brightness
Lemon Zest and Herb Compound Butter
- 1 cup of butter softened
- 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon lemon zest
- 1 tablespoon fresh parsley chopped
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
Cinnamon Honey Butter (Sweet Compound Butter)
- 1 cup of butter softened
- 3 tablespoons honey
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon orange zest optional, for extra warmth
- ¼ teaspoon salt
Instructions
- Start by softening the butter at room temperature until it's easy to mix. If you're short on time, cutting it into small pieces helps it soften faster.
- Prepare the ingredients by mincing cloves of garlic, chopping fresh herbs, and zesting any citrus zest if using.In a small bowl, mix the softened butter with your chosen ingredients-whether it's fresh garlic, dried herbs, lemon zest, blue cheese, or honey and cinnamon.
- Use a fork, hand mixer, or food processor to blend everything until smooth and well combined.
- Taste and adjust the amount of salt, black pepper, or citrus zest to get the perfect flavor of a dish.
- Spoon the butter mixture onto a piece of parchment paper, wax paper, or plastic wrap. Roll it into a log shape, twisting the ends to seal.Refrigerate for at least 1 hour until firm.
- For longer storage, wrap tightly in tin foil or place in a freezer-safe container and freeze for up to 6 months.
- Slice and use on artisan bread, roasted fresh vegetables, filet mignon, crab legs, garlic bread, sweet potatoes, or dinner rolls for a delicious flavor boost.
Notes
Nutrition
Final Thoughts
Whether you're spreading a savory compound butter on warm garlic bread or melting a sweet compound butter over pancakes, these recipes are a great way to add tons of flavor to everyday meals. The sky's the limit when it comes to herb butter recipes-so get creative!
What's your favorite way to make homemade compound butter? Let me know in the comments! And if you give this recipe a try, I'd love to see it-tag me on Instagram so I can share your creations!
I keep a few rolls of this compound butter in the freezer year-round—one savory and one sweet. It’s such a simple thing, but it transforms meals. A slice of garlic herb butter melting over roasted veggies or a pat of cinnamon honey butter on warm biscuits… it’s those little touches that make home cooking feel extra special.