Compound Butter Recipes (19 Easy Flavor Variations + Vegan Option)

This post may contain affiliate links. If you make a purchase through links on this site, I may earn a commission.
Read my Privacy Policy.

This compound butter recipe guide shows you how to make creamy, flavorful butters for every occasion — from garlic and herb to sweet cinnamon maple. Compound butter is simply softened butter mixed with herbs, spices, or other flavorings. Once chilled, it’s easy to slice and melt over vegetables, meats, pasta, or toast.

You’ll learn the base recipe, then explore 19 easy flavor combinations, plus a vegan option. If you want to make your own vegan butter from scratch first, here is a homemade vegan butter recipe you can use. Plus, there are printable labels at the end!

Love homemade condiments? Try these recipes for Homemade Balsamic Glaze, Homemade Sriracha Sauce, or Rotel From Scratch.

Soften butter, mix with herbs, spices, or other flavorings, roll into a log, and chill. Slice to use over warm veggies, grilled meats, or toast.

(Primary keyword: compound butter; Secondary: flavored butter, herbed butter, garlic butter, steak butter.)

What Is Compound Butter?

Compound butter (also known as flavored or herbed butter) is regular butter blended with herbs, spices, or aromatics. It enhances flavor, adds richness, and looks beautiful when sliced into coins. You can make it savory or sweet, dairy or vegan — it’s one of the easiest kitchen upgrades there is.

Why You’ll Love Making Compound Butter

• 100% customizable — endless flavor combinations
• Freezer-friendly and perfect for meal prep
• Elevates simple dishes like steak, potatoes, and veggies
• Works with regular or vegan butter
• Takes just 5 minutes to make

Standard Ratio For Compound Butter

For ½ cup (1 stick or 113 g) butter, use about 2 to 3 tablespoons of total mix-ins.

That means:

• 1 to 2 tablespoons finely chopped fresh herbs or aromatics (like garlic, parsley, chives, or dill)
• 1 teaspoon dried herbs or spices, if you’re using dried instead of fresh
• 1 to 2 teaspoons acidic or liquid flavor (like lemon juice, vinegar, honey, or maple syrup)
• A small pinch of salt and pepper to taste

General Conversion

• Fresh herbs: 3 parts fresh = 1 part dried
• Aromatic add-ins (garlic, zest, onion): about ½ to 1 teaspoon per ½ cup butter
• Sweet or bold butters: 1 to 2 teaspoons sweetener, ¼ teaspoon spice

Texture Tip

If the butter starts to look too loose or shiny when you’re mixing, chill it for 5 minutes, then continue blending. The ratio above keeps it spreadable but not greasy.

Important Note About These Compound Butter Recipes

These recipes are generally considered to be “lightly flavored”. This is done on purpose. The level or intensity of flavoring you add will often depend on the intended use. So for that reason, I flavored these lightly, so that you can add more as you see fit. It’s fine to “add to taste” on all of these recipes. Definitely taste before you wrap and chill your compound butter.

What You’ll Need To Make Compound Butter

• Butter (regular or vegan) – softened to room temperature
• Herbs and spices – fresh or dried
• Flavor add-ins – citrus zest, garlic, honey, etc.
• Mixing bowl and spatula
• Wrapping – Parchment paper, plastic wrap, or silicone wrap for shaping. Butter molds work too.

19 Compound Butter Recipes

Savory Fresh-Herb Flavors

1. Garlic Herb Butter

• 1 stick butter
• 1 clove fresh garlic, minced
• 1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley
• 1 teaspoon chopped fresh thyme
• Pinch of salt and black pepper

Three Best Uses:

1. Finish steaks, chicken, or salmon
2. Spread on garlic bread and melt under the broiler
3. Toss with hot pasta or roasted potatoes

2. Lemon Dill Butter

• 1 stick butter
• 1 tablespoon chopped fresh dill
• 1 teaspoon finely grated lemon zest
• ⅛ teaspoon black pepper

Three Best Uses:

1. Melt over baked or grilled fish
2. Toss with steamed asparagus or green beans
3. Stir into warm rice or quinoa for a fresh finish

3. Rosemary Garlic Butter

• 1 stick butter
• 1 clove fresh garlic, minced
• 1 teaspoon finely chopped fresh rosemary
• Small pinch of salt

Three Best Uses:

1. Rub under chicken skin before roasting
2. Melt over roasted mushrooms or carrots
3. Spread on focaccia or warm crusty bread

4. Basil Chive Butter

• 1 stick butter
• 1 tablespoon chopped fresh basil
• 1 tablespoon chopped fresh chives
• ½ teaspoon olive oil (helps blend)
• Small pinch of salt

Three Best Uses:

1. Finish grilled vegetables or corn
2. Toss with warm pasta or zucchini noodles
3. Spread on tomato sandwiches or bruschetta

5. Sun-Dried Tomato Butter

• 1 stick butter
• 1 tablespoon finely chopped oil-packed sun-dried tomatoes
• ¼ teaspoon dried crushed red pepper flakes
• Small pinch of salt

Three Best Uses:

1. Melt over grilled chicken or shrimp
2. Spread on toasted ciabatta for sandwiches
3. Toss with warm couscous or roasted zucchini

6. Smoky Paprika Butter

• 1 stick butter
• ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
• 1 small clove fresh garlic, minced
• 1 teaspoon chopped fresh parsley

Three Best Uses:

1. Brush on roasted potatoes or cauliflower
2. Finish grilled pork chops or chicken thighs
3. Melt over corn on the cob

7. Honey Lavender Butter

• 1 stick butter
• 1 tablespoon honey
• ⅛ teaspoon dried culinary lavender buds, lightly crushed

Three Best Uses:

1. Spread on warm biscuits or scones
2. Melt over baked peaches or pears
3. Swirl into oatmeal or yogurt bowls

8. Cinnamon Maple Butter

• 1 stick butter
• 1 teaspoon pure maple syrup
• ¼ teaspoon ground cinnamon

Three Best Uses:

1. Spread on toast, pancakes, or waffles
2. Melt over baked sweet potatoes
3. Finish cinnamon-swirled oatmeal

Dried-Herb or Spice Flavors

9. Italian Seasoning Butter

• 1 stick butter
• 1 teaspoon dried Italian seasoning
• ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
• Small pinch of salt

Three Best Uses:

1. Toss with hot pasta or gnocchi
2. Melt over roasted broccoli or zucchini
3. Spread on garlic-Parmesan toast

10. Herbes de Provence Butter

• 1 stick butter
• 1 teaspoon dried herbes de Provence
• ¼ teaspoon onion powder
• Small pinch of salt

Three Best Uses:

1. Finish roast chicken or turkey breast
2. Melt over sautéed green beans or ratatouille-style veg
3. Stir into mashed potatoes

11. Chipotle Lime Butter

• 1 stick butter
• ½ teaspoon dried chipotle powder
• ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
• ½ teaspoon dried lime zest or 1 teaspoon fresh lime juice
• Small pinch of salt

Three Best Uses:

1. Brush on grilled corn or fajita veggies
2. Melt over shrimp, flank steak, or chicken
3. Toss with roasted sweet potatoes

12. Smoky BBQ Butter

• 1 stick butter
• ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
• ¼ teaspoon chili powder
• ¼ teaspoon dried mustard
• ½ teaspoon coconut sugar or maple syrup

Three Best Uses:

1. Finish barbecue salmon or chicken
2. Spread on cornbread or biscuits
3. Melt into skillet-corn or baked beans

13. Curry Spice Butter

• 1 stick butter
• 1 teaspoon mild curry powder
• ⅛ teaspoon ground turmeric
• Pinch of salt

Three Best Uses:

1. Melt over roasted cauliflower or chickpeas
2. Finish pan-seared shrimp or white fish
3. Stir into jasmine rice

14. Cajun Butter

• 1 stick butter
• 1 teaspoon Cajun seasoning
• ⅛ teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional)

Three Best Uses:

1. Toss with peel-and-eat shrimp
2. Brush on grilled corn or blackened chicken
3. Melt over dirty-rice style sides

15. Maple Cinnamon Spice Butter

• 1 stick butter
• 1 teaspoon pure maple syrup
• ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
• ⅛ teaspoon ground nutmeg

Three Best Uses:

1. Spread on toast, pancakes, or French toast
2. Melt over roasted acorn or butternut squash
3. Finish warm oatmeal or quinoa porridge

Christmas Morning Compound Butters

16. Christmas Butter – (Orange-Spice)

• 1 stick butter
• Zest of 1 orange
• 2 tsp honey (or 1 tsp powdered granular sweetener)
• ½ tsp cinnamon
• ¼ tsp ground ginger
• Pinch nutmeg or clove (optional)
• ⅛ tsp vanilla extract or orange extract (optional, but lovely)

Three Best Uses:

1. Spread on holiday rolls or panettone
2. Melt over roasted carrots or sweet potatoes
3. Swirl into oatmeal or breakfast porridge

17. Chocolate-Orange Butter

• 1 stick butter
• Zest of 1 orange
• 1 tbsp unsweetened cocoa powder
• 1½ tsp powdered granular sweetener (or 1 tsp pure maple syrup)
• Pinch cinnamon
• ⅛ tsp vanilla extract (optional)

Three Best Uses:

1. Spread on croissants or toast
2. Melt slightly and drizzle over pancakes or waffles
3. Finish warm banana bread or muffins

18. Orange-Cardamom Honey Butter

• ½ cup butter, softened
• Zest of 1 orange
• ¼ tsp cardamom
• ¼ tsp ground ginger
• 1 tsp pure maple syrup (or adjust to taste)

Three Best Uses:

1. Spread on scones or morning toast
2. Melt over roasted carrots or delicata squash
3. Finish crepes or Dutch babies

19. Cranberry-Orange Butter

• ½ cup butter, softened
• Zest of 1 orange
• 2 tbsp unsweetened dried cranberries, chopped – Soaked in warm water for 5 minutes and drained well.
• ½ tsp cinnamon
• 1 tsp pure maple syrup (optional)

Three Best Uses:

1. pread on biscuits or cornbread
2. Melt onto turkey sandwiches right after toasting
3. Finish baked sweet potatoes or winter squash

How To Make Compound Butter (Step-By-Step Instructions)

1. Base Recipe: How To Make Compound Butter
2. Soften the Butter: Let ½ cup butter sit at room temperature until easily spreadable.
3. Mix In Flavorings: Add herbs, spices, or aromatics. Stir until smooth and evenly combined.
4. Shape the Butter: Spoon onto plastic wrap, twist the ends, and then place the log on parchment paper. Roll it into a log, and twist the ends.
5. Chill: Refrigerate for at least 2 hours before serving, or freeze for long-term storage.
6. Serve: Slice into coins and melt over hot foods or spread onto warm toast.

Pro Recipe Tips

• Always start with butter soft enough to stir easily.
• Chill at least 2 hours before using to allow flavors to meld.
• For gifting: roll in plastic into a log first, then parchment. Twist the ends and tie with twine. Slice into coins for serving.
• Always add zest to well-softened butter so the citrus oils mix evenly.

Vegan Compound Butter Options

Simply use vegan butter. You can purchase it at the store or make your own at home.

• Lemon Basil Vegan Butter
• Miso Chive Butter
• Chili Lime Butter

How To Store Compound Butter

• Refrigerate: Up to 2 weeks, wrapped tightly.
• Freeze: Up to 6 months. Slice into coins before freezing for easy use.
• Serve Tip: Let sit at room temperature 5–10 minutes before serving for best spreadability.

How To Use Compound Butter

• Melt over grilled steak or chicken
• Toss with roasted vegetables or pasta
• Spread on fresh bread or cornbread
• Add to baked potatoes, rice, or steamed veggies
• Use sweet versions on pancakes or waffles

FAQs About Compound Butter

Printable Compound Butter Labels

Want some pretty labels for giving these as gifts? Download and print these onto sticker paper. Cut them out and stick them on for pretty gifts.

Round Name Labels (for jar tops or parchment logs). | Use By Labels (for the back of your jars or logs.)

SUBSCRIBE

Remember to subscribe to my free newsletter to receive all my latest recipes in your inbox. Click here to sign up!