Amp Up Your Grilling With Flavored Compound Butter

The options for creating your own compound butter are virtually endless, and it can be used in a variety of different dishes. So whether you’re grilling some fresh oysters, juicy and delicious chicken, or the perfect steak, you can easily take your grilling game to the next level with some homemade compound butter. 

What is compound butter?

Compound butter is basically just butter that has flavorings (usually spices or herbs) added in order to give it a different and better taste. Garlic and scallops are both common additives, but you can make compound butter with just about any spices you like. Then, when the butter melts, you get a burst of flavor along with the creamy delicious goodness.

How do you make compound butter?

Making compound butter is ridiculously easy. All you need is butter, whatever additives you want, parchment paper, a bowl, and an electric mixer. You could probably mix it by hand if you don’t have an electric mixer handy, but it will take a little longer.

Here are the steps:

1. Let the butter soften and get to room temperature. You should be able to indent the package with your finger easily.
2. Add 1 cup of butter and beat it with the electric mixer until it’s creamy.
3. Dump in whatever additives you’ve chosen
4. Mix thoroughly with an electric mixer or by hand
5. Use a spatula to spoon the butter out onto the parchment
6. Roll it up into a tube, folding or twisting the ends to secure.
7. Refrigerate for at least 4 hours prior to use

Compound butter recipes for grilling

Although you’ll eventually figure out your own favorite compound butter recipes to add to your grilled potatoes or veggies, here are some popular recipes for use on the grill:

Classic Steak Butter
Good for melting on a delicious steak or for grilled veggies

• 1 cup butter
• 1 Tablespoon roasted garlic
• 1 teaspoon ground black pepper
• 1 teaspoon finely chopped fresh shallots
• 1 teaspoon finely chopped fresh parsley
• 1 teaspoon finely chopped fresh sage
• 1 teaspoon finely chopped fresh rosemary
• dash of paprika

Cowboy Butter
Perfect with grilled chicken or steak.

• 1 cup butter
• 1/4 cup finely minced fresh parsley
• 1 clove finely minced fresh garlic
• 1 Tablespoon lemon juice
• pinch of red pepper flakes
• pinch of coarsely ground black pepper

Tomato Basil Butter
Great with marinated chicken or potatoes.

• 1 cup butter
• 1/4 cup sun-dried tomatoes
• 4 cloves roasted garlic, mashed
• 2 Tablespoons chopped fresh basil
• pinch of parsley

Chile Lime Butter
Recommended for corn on the cob or other steamed veggies

• 1/2 cup butter
• 1 Tablespoon lime juice
• 2 Tablespoons finely minced fresh cilantro
• 1/2 teaspoon chile powder

Lemon Dijon Butter
Great for on grilled salmon or with veggies.

• 1/2 cup butter
• 2 teaspoons lemon juice
• 2 teaspoons Dijon mustard
• 2 teaspoons finely minced fresh parsley