Chive Compound Butter
This easy Chive Compound Butter is packed with fresh chives, parsley, garlic, and savory seasonings for the most delicious homemade herb butter! It’s creamy, flavorful, and takes just minutes to make. Spread it on warm crusty bread, serve it with fresh radishes, or melt it into your favorite dishes for an easy way to make everyday meals feel extra special.
There’s something so satisfying about taking a few simple ingredients and turning them into something delicious to share around the table. We love keeping this homemade chive butter in the fridge for everything from warm dinner rolls to mashed potatoes and scrambled eggs. It’s also a beautiful addition to a holiday spread or a simple appetizer board when friends come over. Sometimes it’s the little extras that make a meal feel special!
What Is Compound Butter?
Compound butter is simply softened butter mixed with flavorful ingredients like fresh herbs, garlic, spices, or other seasonings. It can be sweet or savory, and it’s one of the easiest ways to add extra flavor to everyday cooking. This Chive Compound Butter is made with fresh chives, parsley, garlic, Worcestershire sauce, and a splash of red wine vinegar for a rich, savory spread that’s delicious on just about anything!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Quick and easy: This homemade compound butter comes together in just minutes using a food processor.
- Fresh and flavorful: Chives, parsley, and garlic add delicious herb flavor, while Worcestershire sauce and red wine vinegar give it a savory finish.
- Perfect for entertaining: Serve it with fresh bread, radishes, or crackers for a simple but elegant appetizer.
- Make-ahead friendly: Prepare it in advance and keep it chilled until you’re ready to serve.
- So versatile: Use it on everything from warm dinner rolls and mashed potatoes to roasted vegetables, steak, and scrambled eggs.
Ingredients Needed
You only need a handful of simple ingredients to make this flavorful homemade chive butter!
- Unsalted butter: The creamy base of this recipe. Make sure it’s softened to room temperature for easy mixing.
- Fresh chives: Finely sliced chives add a mild onion flavor and beautiful green color.
- Fresh parsley: Adds a fresh, bright, herby flavor.
- Garlic: Freshly grated garlic gives this butter a delicious savory kick.
- Worcestershire sauce: A secret ingredient that adds depth and a little umami flavor.
- Red wine vinegar: Just a splash balances the richness of the butter.
- Salt: Brings all the flavors together. Adjust to taste.
- Black pepper: Adds a subtle peppery flavor.
- Cayenne pepper: Just a pinch gives the butter a tiny bit of warmth without making it spicy.
How to Make Chive Compound Butter
This homemade chive butter comes together in just minutes with a food processor. It’s so easy to make ahead for entertaining!
Prepare the butter:
- Allow the unsalted butter to soften at room temperature until it’s soft but not melted.
- Add the softened butter to a food processor and pulse until smooth.
- Add the finely sliced chives, chopped parsley, grated garlic, Worcestershire sauce, red wine vinegar, salt, black pepper, and cayenne.
- Pulse until everything is combined and the herbs are evenly distributed throughout the butter.
- Taste and adjust the salt as needed.
PRO TIP: Make sure the butter is soft enough to blend easily but not melted. This helps the herbs and seasonings distribute evenly and gives the finished butter a smooth, creamy texture.
Serve the butter:
- Transfer the compound butter to a small serving bowl and serve with crusty bread, fresh radishes, or crackers.
- Alternatively, spoon the butter onto parchment paper and roll into a log for easy slicing.
- If chilled, allow the butter to soften slightly before serving so it’s easy to spread.
PRO TIP: Make this butter a day ahead so the flavors have time to meld together. It’s an easy way to get a head start when you’re hosting a dinner party or holiday gathering.
How to Serve Chive Compound Butter
There are so many delicious ways to enjoy this homemade herb butter! It’s perfect for holiday entertaining, dinner parties, or simply adding extra flavor to your favorite everyday dishes.
- Warm bread: Spread over crusty French bread, sourdough, dinner rolls, or toasted baguette slices.
- Fresh radishes: Serve alongside crisp radishes for a simple, elegant appetizer.
- Crackers: Add a bowl of chive butter to a snack board with your favorite crackers.
- Mashed potatoes: Stir a spoonful into warm mashed potatoes for extra flavor.
- Scrambled eggs: Melt a little into scrambled eggs for a rich, herby breakfast.
- Roasted vegetables: Add a pat to hot roasted carrots, potatoes, or green beans.
- Steak or chicken: Let a little melt over freshly cooked meat for a delicious finishing touch.
We specifically love it on baked potatoes, or you can also make a Bermuda Dip to serve on baked potatoes. You can also add in to these Creamy Scalloped Poatoes.
Sandy’s Tips and Substitutions
- Use softened butter. Room-temperature butter blends easily with the herbs and seasonings. Avoid melting it.
- Choose fresh herbs. Fresh chives and parsley give the butter the best flavor and color.
- Finely chop the herbs. This helps distribute their flavor evenly throughout the butter.
- Use unsalted butter. This lets you control the saltiness of the finished butter.
- No food processor? Mash the softened butter with a fork and stir in the remaining ingredients until well combined.
- Garlic substitution: Use a small amount of garlic powder if you don’t have fresh garlic.
- Make it ahead: Prepare the butter a day ahead to allow the flavors to develop.
- Refrigerator storage: Store the butter in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
- Freezer storage: Shape the butter into a log, wrap tightly in parchment paper, and place in a freezer-safe bag. Freeze for up to 3 months for best quality.
- Thawing: Thaw frozen compound butter overnight in the refrigerator before using.
- Serving after refrigeration: Allow the butter to soften briefly at room temperature before spreading. There’s no need to reheat it unless you’re using it as a melted butter topping.
Chive Compound Butter Variations
One of the best things about compound butter is how easy it is to customize! Try these delicious variations depending on what you’re serving.
- Lemon Chive Butter: Add fresh lemon zest for a bright, citrusy flavor that’s delicious with fish and vegetables.
- Garlic Herb Butter: Add extra garlic along with fresh thyme or rosemary for a savory spread.
- Parmesan Chive Butter: Mix in freshly grated Parmesan cheese for a rich, cheesy version.
- Spicy Chive Butter: Increase the cayenne or add a pinch of red pepper flakes for a little kick.
- Dill and Chive Butter: Add fresh dill for a lovely combination that’s especially good with salmon or roasted potatoes.
- Holiday Herb Butter: Combine chives, parsley, rosemary, and thyme for a festive butter that’s wonderful with Thanksgiving rolls and holiday dinners.
Get the Recipe:
Chive Compound Butter Recipe
Ingredients
- ½ lb unsalted butter, softened, 2 sticks
- ½ cup fresh chives, finely sliced
- 1 cup fresh parsley leaves, finely chopped (about 1 small bunch)
- 2 cloves garlic, grated
- 1¼ tsp Worcestershire sauce
- 1¼ tsp red wine vinegar
- ¾ tsp salt, plus more to taste
- ½ tsp freshly ground black pepper
- ⅛ tsp cayenne pepper
Instructions
- Add the softened butter to a food processor and pulse until smooth.
- Add the finely sliced chives, chopped parsley, grated garlic, Worcestershire sauce, red wine vinegar, salt, black pepper, and cayenne.
- Pulse until combined and the herbs are evenly distributed throughout the butter.
- Taste and adjust the salt as needed.
- Transfer to a serving bowl and serve with bread, radishes, or crackers. Or refrigerate until ready to serve.
Notes
Tips:
- Use softened butter. Room-temperature butter blends easily with the herbs and seasonings. Avoid melting it.
- Choose fresh herbs. Fresh chives and parsley give the butter the best flavor and color.
- Finely chop the herbs. This helps distribute their flavor evenly throughout the butter.
- Use unsalted butter. This lets you control the saltiness of the finished butter.
- No food processor? Mash the softened butter with a fork and stir in the remaining ingredients until well combined.
- Garlic substitution: Use a small amount of garlic powder if you don’t have fresh garlic.
- Make it ahead: Prepare the butter a day ahead to allow the flavors to develop.
- Refrigerator storage: Store the butter in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
- Freezer storage: Shape the butter into a log, wrap tightly in parchment paper, and place in a freezer-safe bag. Freeze for up to 3 months for best quality.
- Thawing: Thaw frozen compound butter overnight in the refrigerator before using.
- Serving after refrigeration: Allow the butter to soften briefly at room temperature before spreading. There’s no need to reheat it unless you’re using it as a melted butter topping.
Hello and welcome to my home and table!
I’m Sandy—lover of food, family, cooking, THE BIG BOARD, travel, and bringing people together. Through great recipes and connection around the table, we become better, stronger, and more courageous people. Feasting on Life is real, and every time we do it, we grow a little more. Read more...
