10 Ways to Upgrade Plain Butter
Start with one base butter recipe, then flavor it your way!
There’s something special about homemade butter — it’s fresh, creamy, and endlessly customizable. Once you’ve got the base right, you can create sweet, savory, or spiced versions that elevate everything from your breakfast toast to your dinner steak.
Let’s start with the foundation.
🧾 The Base Butter Recipe
Ingredients:
- 2 cups heavy cream (chilled)
- Pinch of salt (optional)
Instructions:
- Pour the cream into a stand mixer or food processor.
- Whip on medium speed until it separates — you’ll see butter solids and buttermilk.
- Drain the buttermilk (save it for pancakes or baking!).
- Rinse the butter with cold water and press out any remaining liquid.
- Store your butter in an airtight container in the fridge.
That’s it! You’ve got your plain, creamy butter ready to be transformed into flavorful variants.
🌿 Butter Variants to Try
1. Garlic Herb Butter
Add: 2 minced garlic cloves + 1 tbsp chopped parsley + ½ tsp salt
Perfect for: Garlic bread, steak, or roasted veggies
2. Honey Cinnamon Butter
Add: 2 tbsp honey + ½ tsp cinnamon
Perfect for: Toast, pancakes, or warm rolls
3. Chili Lime Butter
Add: ½ tsp chili flakes + zest of 1 lime + pinch of salt
Perfect for: Grilled corn, seafood, or chicken
4. Lemon Dill Butter
Add: 1 tsp lemon zest + 1 tbsp chopped dill + pinch of pepper
Perfect for: Fish, potatoes, or asparagus
5. Maple Pecan Butter
Add: 1 tbsp maple syrup + 2 tbsp chopped toasted pecans
Perfect for: Waffles, muffins, or breakfast rolls
6. Truffle Butter
Add: ½ tsp truffle oil + pinch of sea salt
Perfect for: Pasta, mashed potatoes, or risotto
7. Sundried Tomato Basil Butter
Add: 1 tbsp chopped sundried tomatoes + 1 tbsp chopped basil
Perfect for: Bread, pasta, or grilled chicken
8. Smoky Paprika Butter
Add: ½ tsp smoked paprika + ¼ tsp garlic powder + salt
Perfect for: Grilled meats or corn on the cob
9. Berry Sweet Butter
Add: 1 tbsp mashed strawberries (or blueberries) + 1 tsp honey
Perfect for: Scones, crepes, or biscuits
10. Curry Butter
Add: ½ tsp curry powder + 1 tsp lemon juice + pinch of salt
Perfect for: Naan, rice, or roasted cauliflower
✨ Quick Tips
- Always use softened butter before mixing in flavorings.
- Roll flavored butter into logs in parchment paper and refrigerate or freeze.
- Slice and use as needed for a quick flavor upgrade.
🧈 In Short
Once you’ve made the base butter, the possibilities are endless. Sweet, spicy, tangy, or herby — a simple mix can turn your everyday butter into something extraordinary.
