Brown butter is an exquisite and versatile condiment, and it’s extremely easy to make. Heat butter until the milk solids brown – that’s it! However, this process is best done slowly, under a watchful eye, so that the milk solids don’t burn. Once filtered, the resulting fat is clear, with a lovely light caramel color and an irresistible nutty aroma. And since the milk solids have been cooked and strained, the browned butter reaches a smoking point of about 400°F (200°C) – a real bonus!
A batch of brown butter will keep in the fridge for weeks – ready to use in sauces, cookies… and more
During the colder months of the year, when I’m more inclined to cook with butter, I always have brown butter on hand. Indeed, you can make a batch ahead of time and refrigerate it for several weeks. Lastly, brown butter is marvelous in both savory and sweet dishes. It adds a wonderful richness and nutty flavor to anything you cook with it.
Recipes
Butternut squash soup with brown butter and nutmeg crème
Brown butter-roasted winter squash salad with Pecorino Toscano Fresco and toasted pumpkin seeds
Brown butter
makes scant 1 cup
active time: 10 min
- 8 oz (225 g) unsalted butter (2 sticks)
- Cut the butter in 1″ chunks and place in a medium heavy-bottomed saucepan. Heat over medium heat until the butter has melted and starts to foam, then reduce heat to medium-low and cook the butter undisturbed until the milk solids are dark brown (they will look like dark crumbs at the bottom of the pan) and the butter has a light caramel color, about 35 to 40 minutes. Take care not to burn the butter, or it will become bitter. Strain the butter through a fine-meshed sieve and let cool. Refrigerate for up to 1 month.
Can you reheat it? I want to make brown butter tomatoes, but want to do the butter ahead.
Can I add ingredients to the brown butter lemon and capers and still make it ahead of time?
Hi Susan, Yes, you can make the brown butter as per this recipe. Once the butter has cooled, you can stir in your flavorings (like lemon, capers or herbs) and refrigerate for up to a week. Enjoy!
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I have never used brown butter, and do not know what it tastes like, I’ll try myself. I thought if was burnt butter changes color and is no longer good. Thanks for the instructions.
Hi Maria, Indeed, you need to take care of not burning the butter when you make “brown butter”. When done right, it’s a most delicious and flavorful ingredient. Enjoy making it and tasting it!
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What’s not to love about brown butter?!!? It adds such a delicious flavor to so many dishes. I usually just make it as needed and never in bulk. That’s going to change. Thanks for the instructions!!
You’re most welcome, Mj… and thank you for dropping by! I’m delighted you’re a brown butter fan!
brown butter is my FAVORITE!!!
That makes two of us, Kayle!
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