This Italian compound butter is packed with garlic, fresh basil, and sun-dried tomatoes for an easy, flavor-filled spin on garlic butter.
Bread and butter will forever be one of my favorite appetizer/pre-dinner eats. I can do serious damage to a bread basket at a restaurant! And while I'll never say no to plain butter, flavored or compound butter takes the whole deal to the next level.
Garlic butter is a classic on the savory side, while honey butter cleans up on the sweet side. I like to add cinnamon to my honey butter, which you can see in action in these cinnamon raisin biscuits.
But this post is all about savory. Garlic butter gets an upgrade with even more Italian-inspired flavors, including fresh basil and sun-dried tomatoes. Lots of flavor here!
Recipe ingredients
This Italian butter uses VERY simple ingredients with some wiggle room built in. I tend to have more unsalted butter sticks on hand than salted, so that's what I use to make this butter. You can definitely use salted butter if you prefer. Just omit the additional salt added to the recipe.
My pick for the sun-dried tomatoes is the kind that comes packed in oil as they are perfectly moist and bring a ton of flavor right out of the jar. Just be sure to blot them well before dicing them and mixing them into this recipe.
Next comes fresh basil, also diced finely. Is there any better flavor? The butter mixture helps the basil retain its green coloring for days, so this recipe can be made ahead of time and kept in the refrigerator.
What's left to add is four pressed cloves of garlic, a little ground black pepper, and salt, if not using salted butter. This compound butter is definitely on the bold side as far as flavor goes, so feel free to take it easy on any of the ingredients if you're not a super big fan of garlic, sun-dried tomatoes, etc.
Easy recipe steps
Start by taking your butter out of the refrigerator to soften completely to room temperature. This makes it the easiest for mixing the other ingredients into it.
Once that's done, blot and dice the sun-dried tomatoes, press the garlic, dice the basil, and measure out the pepper and salt, if using. Then combine everything by stirring very well or using an electric hand/stand mixer until all of the ingredients are evenly incorporated.
At this point you can transfer the Italian butter to a container and refrigerate, or you can form it into rolls for slicing later on. It just depends on your preference! I've included photos in this post of both ways.
Shaping the butter
To form a compound butter log, transfer it to a sheet of parchment paper and wrap the parchment paper around the butter to form it into a cylinder. Continue to wrap the butter log with the parchment, and then snugly wrap everything with plastic wrap. You can store the butter this way in the refrigerator OR in the freezer.
Related recipes
Sun-dried tomatoes shine in this artichoke and sun-dried tomato pesto recipe! While traditional basil will always be my #1 favorite, it's always nice to switch things up occasionally, you know?
Speaking of, this creamy pesto gnocchi combines so many delicious flavors all in a sub-30 minute dinner recipe. Perfect for weeknights! Cannellini beans and Italian sausage help give this one extra heft.
Recipe notes
- If not serving this Italian compound butter to a crowd, I like portion it out into three smaller logs and freeze them. That way I can pull out a little at a time.
- Salted butter can be used, just omit the additional salt from the recipe.
Italian Compound Butter
Ingredients
- 8 tablespoon unsalted butter at room temperature [or salted, see note]
- 2 tablespoon finely-diced sun-dried tomatoes, drained and blotted dry
- 2 tablespoon finely-diced fresh basil
- 4 cloves pressed or finely-minced garlic about 2 teaspoons
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon freshly-cracked black pepper or to taste
Instructions
- Mix all ingredients together with a stand or hand mixer. Refrigerate in a covered container or shape into logs.
To shape into logs:
- Add combined butter to a sheet of parchment paper, then use the parchment to roll the butter into a cylinder shape. Wrap the log in the parchment paper, then wrap everything snugly with parchment paper. Refrigerate or freeze.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutritional information is provided as an estimate. As it can vary due to many factors (brands used, quantities, etc.), we cannot guarantee its accuracy.
Food Safety and Nutrition Disclaimer
Pauline Esh says
I also used this recipe & made garlic bread with a sprinkle of "Parmesan" ...it was amazing !!!
Debra says
Compound butters hold up well in the freezer. Shape it into a log, wrap with plastic wrap or parchment paper, and seal tightly in a ziplock bag or vacuum seal. For just two people I would go so far as to make several small logs, instead of one large one. Then pull out what you crave.
Alyssa says
Love these tips, Debra! I made compound butter recently but the log was probably too big - feeling the pressure to get through it. Smaller logs are the way to go! 🙂
Nina says
I make my own clarified butter and I freeze it, also. I love compound butters. So many ways to make and use.
Ciao Florentina says
What a fabulous idea ! I love the sun-dried tomato fusion here. Perfect match and what a great treat to have on hand for guests too !
Alyssa says
Thanks so much! For some reason I don't think to cook with sun-dried tomatoes all that frequently, though that's all changed since making this butter. Love them!
Catherine says
Dear Alyssa, I am so inspired to give this a try over the weekend. I love all flavors you infused the butter with. Fabulous! xo, Catherine
Alyssa says
Thank you so much Catherine! These flavors are some of my favorites. I bet you will love it! Have a great weekend! 🙂
Jess @ Flying on Jess Fuel says
Personally I think it's totally acceptable to have a butter-only shelf in your fridge! LOL! This butter looks so, so yummy... I want to smear it on EVERYTHING!!
Alyssa says
Haha! That would be pretttty nice Jess! Thanks! 🙂
marcie says
I love compound butter but sadly don't make it much (probably because I know it's going to call my name non-stop from the fridge)! I love the ingredients in here and this will make anything extra special!
Alyssa says
Thanks Marcie! I agree, I had to hold my horses on all my compound butter ideas and just focus on one at a time. I can see myself using this one on just about everything. I'm a sucker for these flavors!
Ashley | The Recipe Rebel says
This is just stunning! Haha, has anyone ever said that about butter?? I can just imagine this on a slice of crusty bread! PInned 🙂
Alyssa says
Haha! I definitely would say that about this butter Ashley. 🙂 Thanks!
Gayle @ Pumpkin 'N Spice says
This is such a great idea, Alyssa! Now my mind is swirling with all of the butter possibilities! This sounds fantastic! I love the flavors in here, just perfect!
Alyssa says
Thanks Gayle! Oh I know, so many different (and delicious) ways to fancy up butter! 🙂
Christine @ Cooking with Cakes says
saw this on tastespotting this morning and it looks gorgeous!!! well done chica 🙂
Alyssa says
Thanks girl!!
Kathy @ Olives & Garlic says
Gosh I can think of so many uses for this delicious butter. So need to try this!
Alyssa says
Thanks Kathy! It's definitely a repeat recipe for us!
Thalia @ butter and brioche says
I love flavoured butters - especially when they are filled with as much delicious herb-y goodness as this Italian butter. Definitely need to make the recipe!
Alyssa says
Flavored butters are becoming one of my favorite, quick recipes to experiment with. Endless possibilities! Thank you Thalia!
Danielle says
Okay, I officially need to go make some compound butter! This looks incredible! Annnddd I have everything to make it 😉
Alyssa says
Thanks Danielle!! This one is a little dangerous...I usually have everything on hand to make it at all times too!
Natalie @ Tastes Lovely says
I love me some compound butter! As if butter could get any better, haha! Can you imagine this tossed with sauteed shrimp? Yum!
Alyssa says
OMG Natalie - what an idea!! Okay definitely picking up shrimp tomorrow. 🙂
Jocelyn (Grandbaby cakes) says
Gosh this butter looks all types of delish! I love the flavors in this!
Alyssa says
Thanks Jocelyn! 🙂
Kristi @ Inspiration Kitchen says
Alyssa, I love, love, love the looks of this butter. Not only is the color beautiful but the ingredients look amazing! I can totally make room for this in my fridge.
Alyssa says
Thank you Kristi! I could eat anything with basil, garlic, and sun-dried tomatoes. Plus all mixed into butter? Pfft yes please!