• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
Recipes Worth Repeating
  • About
  • Recipes
  • Subscribe
  • Privacy Policy
  • Work With Me
    • Media Kit
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
menu icon
go to homepage
  • About
  • Recipes
  • Subscribe
  • Cookbooks
    • Email
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
    • YouTube
  • search icon
    Homepage link
    • About
    • Recipes
    • Subscribe
    • Cookbooks
    • Email
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
    • YouTube
  • ×
    Home » Recipes » Compound Butters

    Rosemary Compound Butter For Steak, Chicken, Vegetables, and More!

    Published: Aug 30, 2021 · Modified: Jul 29, 2022 by Amanda Mason · 4 Comments

    Yield 6 people
    Prep 8 hours hours 10 minutes minutes
    Jump to Recipe Jump to Video

    One of the best ways to add delicious flavor to meat and vegetables is by using compound butters. Full of flavor and made with fresh rosemary, cracked peppercorns, salt, and unsalted butter, use this herb butter on top of steaks, as a rub for a whole turkey, and on top of grilled corn on the cob!

    close up of sliced compound butter rounds.
    Jump to:
    • ℹ️ Why This Recipe Works
    • 🛒 Ingredients You'll Need
    • 📋 Step-By-Step Recipe Instructions
    • 💭 Expert Tips
    • 💭 Recipes To Pair
    • Rosemary Compound Butter

    Compound butters are easy to make and this rosemary butter is no exception. If you’ve never made a compound butter before, you’re about to be pleasantly surprised at the difference a flavored butter can make to some of your favorite foods.

    So what is compound butter? Compound butter is mixture of butter (preferable unsalted) and other flavorful ingredients that can be used in many different ways. It can be used as a rub before roasting a chicken or turkey or to top a steak that just came off the grill. It can even be used on oven roasted vegetables or corn on the cob! Compound butters can be sweet, savory, spicy, or even have a citrus base. The opportunities are truly endless!

    Rosemary compound butter on a table, sprigs of rosemary on table.

    ℹ️ Why This Recipe Works


    1. Turning a room temperature butter into a compound is simple. You'll mix the ingredients, roll it in parchment paper, and then refrigerate it for 2-3 hours until firm. That's it!

    2. This same recipe can be used as a butter rub directly on raw meat before cooking or vegetables without refrigerating!

    3. It lasts for several weeks in the refrigerator so it's handy to use whenever you need it! Try it on roasted potatoes, french bread, and fish!


    🛒 Ingredients You'll Need

    This herbal butter consists of unsalted butter, fresh chopped rosemary, course salt and black pepper. Using kosher or Himalayan salt works great with this recipe. I also recommend using an extra creamy unsalted butter, but regular unsalted also works great. A good European brand to use is Land O Lakes Ultra Creamy Unsalted Butter. I also like using Irish butter, such as Kerrygold, because it has a higher fat content and tends to be more creamy and flavorful than American brands. 

    fresh rosemary, butter, salt, and pepper on a counter.

    📋 Step-By-Step Recipe Instructions

    I'm going to show you the simple steps involved so you know how to make herb butter. First, set the butter out at room temperature at least 1 hour before you start making this recipe. It needs to be soft before mixing it with the herbs. Finely chop the fresh rosemary sprigs and set aside. In a medium bowl, combine the softened butter, salt, pepper, and chopped fresh rosemary, about 20 seconds. Expert Tip: Using an electric mixer helps whip the butter and ingredients better, but you can also use a hand held whisk.

    Bowl containing butter, salt, pepper, and rosemary being mixed with an electric mixer.

    Using a spatula, place the mixture onto a small piece of parchment paper, about 6 inches long.

    WANT TO SAVE THIS RECIPE?

    Enter your email to receive this recipe, along with weekly food inspiration!

    Dollop of herb compound butter on parchment paper.

    Starting from one edge of the parchment paper, carefully roll the mixture while pushing and spreading it within the paper to form into a cylinder shape.

    Compound butter being rolled in parchment paper.

    Once the butter is wrapped tight, twist the ends closed on both sides. Refrigerate for 2-3 hours, or until ready to use.

    Person rolling compound butter in parchment paper.

    When firm and ready for use, use a serrated knife to slice into ¼ thick rounds and place on your favorite cooked steak, chicken, or fish!

    Person slicing wrapped compound butter.

    It really is that simple to make this compound butter recipe and I can guarantee this rosemary butter is going to be a crowd pleaser!

    pieces of flavored butter rounds on a table.

    💭 Expert Tips

    • If you have a coffee grinder, use it to finely chop the fresh rosemary and peppercorns. It works extremely well!
    • It only takes 1 hours for cold butter to become soft at room temperature.
    • This recipe can serve for two different purposes. While excellent as a compound, it also works really well as a butter rub on a lot of food.
    • It will last in your refrigerator for 2-3 weeks. Once sliced, place the leftover roll in a sealable plastic bag to maintain the freshness.
    • I don't recommend using a salted butter but you won't be able to control the salt level. By using unsalted, you can control the amount of salt you use.

    💭 Recipes To Pair

    This rosemary compound butter is excellent on so many foods, like my Smoked Turkey Breast. Here's a tip...try rubbing the butter under the turkey skin in this recipe. It brings out the most amazing flavor and really helps add extra flavor! I also like using this rub on my Smoked Elk Roast. It helps take away a lot of the gamey flavors.

    Herbed butter sliced and spread out on a table.

    Rosemary Compound Butter

    One of the best ways to add delicious flavor to meat and vegetables is by using compound butters. Full of flavor and made with fresh rosemary, cracked peppercorns, salt, and unsalted butter, use this herb butter on top of steaks, as a rub for a whole turkey, and on top of grilled corn on the cob!
    5 from 4 votes
    Print Pin Rate
    Course: Condiment
    Cuisine: American
    Prep Time: 8 hours hours 10 minutes minutes
    Total Time: 8 hours hours 10 minutes minutes
    Servings: 6 people
    Calories: 134kcal
    Author: Amanda Mason

    Ingredients

    • 8 Tablespoons unsalted butter, at room temperature
    • 2 sprigs fresh rosemary, finely chopped
    • 2 teaspoons coarse ground pepper
    • 1 teaspoon coarse salt, Himalayan, sea, or kosher

    Instructions

    • Finely chop the fresh rosemary sprigs and set aside.
    • In a medium bowl, mix the softened butter, salt, pepper, and chopped fresh rosemary, about 20 seconds. Expert Tip: To mix, use either an electric mixer or a handheld mixer.
    • Using a spatula, place the mixture onto a small piece of parchment paper, about 6 inches long.
    • Starting from one edge of the parchment paper, carefully roll the mixture while pushing and spreading it within the paper to form into a cylinder shape.
    • Once the butter is wrapped tight, twist the ends closed on both sides. Refrigerate for 2 hours, or until ready to use.
    • When firm and ready for use, use a sharp knife to slice into ¼ thick rounds and place on your favorite cooked steak, chicken, or fish!

    Video

    Notes

    • If you have a coffee grinder, use it to finely chop the fresh rosemary and peppercorns. It works extremely well!
    • It only takes 1 hours for refrigerated butter to become soft at room temperature.
    • This recipe can serve for two different purposes. While it's excellent as a compound, it also works really well as a rub on a lot of food such as raw chicken and turkey before cooking.
    • This will last in your refrigerator for 2-3 weeks. Once sliced, place the leftover roll in a sealable plastic bag to maintain the freshness.
    • I don't recommend using a salted butter but you won't be able to control the salt level. By using unsalted, you can control the amount of salt you use.

    WANT TO SAVE THIS RECIPE?

    Enter your email to receive this recipe, along with weekly food inspiration!

    Nutrition

    Calories: 134kcal | Carbohydrates: 1g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 15g | Saturated Fat: 10g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 4g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 40mg | Sodium: 390mg | Potassium: 5mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 467IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 5mg | Iron: 1mg
    Tried this Recipe? Pin it for Later!Mention @RecipesWorthRep or tag #RecipesWorthRepeating!
    « Gluten Free Apple Crumble
    Hubbard Squash Soup »
    664 shares

    About Amanda Mason

    Hi! I'm Amanda, the founder and creator behind Recipes Worth Repeating! Simply put, I focus on creating delicious recipes for everyone. I offer variety. I offer convenience. I offer yumminess! And that's why people keep coming back. The recipes I create are absolutely worth repeating.

    Founded in 2012, Recipes Worth Repeating grew from people routinely asking me to email them the recipe for my latest dish. Recipe development comes naturally to me and I find cooking relaxing. Originally from Nashville, Tennessee, I developed a passion for cooking at an early age and I love to showcase a variety of recipes on my blog.Creating delicious new recipes, still photography, and video for Recipes Worth Repeating is the driving force behind what engages my readers to keep coming back for more recipes they will love.

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

      5 from 4 votes (2 ratings without comment)

      Leave a Reply Cancel reply

      Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

      Recipe Rating




       

    1. Liz

      September 19, 2021 at 5:30 pm

      5 stars
      Love this idea! Will be adding it to our next grilling night!

      Reply
      • Amanda Mason

        September 19, 2021 at 6:39 pm

        let me know how you like it!!

        Reply
    2. Kayla DiMaggio

      September 16, 2021 at 9:22 am

      5 stars
      This rosemary compound butter was amazing! I used it on some steak and it turned out so great!

      Reply
      • Amanda Mason

        September 16, 2021 at 1:01 pm

        Hi Kayla! YEAH!! I'm so glad you enjoyed it!!

        Reply

    Primary Sidebar

    Hi, I'm Amanda! Welcome to my little corner of the internet. I'm a wife, mother of two, lover of all things food and wine, and photographer. Here at Recipes Worth Repeating, you're going to find the most delicious and easy to make recipes everyone will love.

    More about me →

    Most Popular Recipes ❤️

    • Applewood Smoked Chicken on a wooden cutting board, fork in chicken.
      Applewood Smoked Chicken
    • Mexican Corn Recipe
    • Beef Enchilada Casserole
    • Wooden spoon filled with penne pasta, marinara sauce, and mozzarella cheese.
      Easy Penne Pasta Bake

    🇺🇸 4th of July Recipes

    • A plate of Corn on the cob and Cotija cheese on a white plate.
      Mexican Grilled Corn (Elote Recipe)
    • Smoked chicken quarters on a slate plate topped with BBQ sauce.
      Smoked Chicken Leg Quarters
    • Smoked Beef Short Ribs
    • Closeup of smoked chicken thighs on a black cutting board
      Smoked Chicken Thighs

    Footer

    ↑ back to top

     As Seen In

    About

    • Privacy Policy

    Newsletter

    • Sign Up! for emails and updates

    Contact

    • Media Kit
    • Work with Me

    COPYRIGHT © 2012-2025 AMANDA MASON/RECIPES WORTH REPEATING

    Rate This Recipe

    Your vote:




    A rating is required
    A name is required
    An email is required

    Recipe Ratings without Comment

    Something went wrong. Please try again.