How to Make Herb Butter

Make herb butter for the holidays. It's a simple way to create a dramatic an delicious accompaniment to a fine meal.

Herb butters always make meals special. Whether you're serving your own homemade bread, or want to add a unique touch to steamed asparagus or stuffing, fresh herbs and butter make a wonderful combination. I've already written about chive butter as a great pairing with potato dishes, but the three herb butters below are also delicious.

For a designer touch, present molded butters to your guests. You can use special butter molds, or try individual serving molds from your craft store. Once refrigerated, your formed butter pops right out and is ready to serve. Molded butters work well on a buffet or as a take along for fresh breads.

The recipes below call for fresh herbs, which work best, but you can also use dried (I've made notations below); just let the finely ground dried herbs marinate in the softened butter for three hours or more before refrigerating.

Herb Butter Recipe

1/2 cup butter (softened)
1 tsp minced fresh parsley (1/2 tsp dried)
1/2 tsp minced fresh sage (1/4 tsp dried)
1/2 tsp minced fresh thyme (1/4 tsp dried)

Blend well and serve.

This all-purpose herb butter blend is a winner with fowl and stuffing preparations. It's also tasty when served with sweet potatoes or stuffed mushrooms.

Rosemary Butter Recipe

1/2 cup butter (softened)
1 tbsp minced fresh rosemary (1/2 tbsp dried)
1/2 tsp lemon zest
1 garlic clove minced fine
2 drops orange juice

Blend well and serve.

If you are serving lamb over the holiday, this butter would be perfect. It also works well with beef roasts and game.

Salsa Butter Recipe

1 tsp paprika
1/2 tsp cayenne pepper
1/2 tsp minced garlic
1/2 tsp minced fresh cilantro (1/2 tsp dried)
1/2 tsp minced fresh parsley (1/4 tsp dried)

Blend well and serve.

This herb butter tastes wonderful melted on fresh corn, slathered on tortillas or added to cornbread stuffing.

Dill Butter

1/2 cup butter (softened)
1 tbsp minced fresh dill (1 tsp dried)
1 tsp minced fresh parsley (1/2 tsp dried)
4 drops lemon juice

Try this on grilled salmon and egg dishes.