Brown butter is an easy way to make any recipe taste rich and decadent!

Learning how to make brown butter is easy and results in incredible flavor. It can be added to anything from steamed vegetables to pasta or even cookies for an extra boost of flavor.

using a strainer to show How to Make Brown Butter

What is Brown Butter?

Brown butter is a simple technique of heating butter and allowing the milk solids to separate and become golden. Once it reaches a golden color, the solids are strained out and the remaining liquid is the browned butter.

It will have a lovely golden color and a nutty aroma and flavor.

showing How to Make Brown Butter before straining the mixture

There’s only one ingredient in brown butter, but its toasty and buttery flavor is unmistakable!

How to Make Brown Butter

It’s super easy to make this one ingredient sauce, but it does take a little bit of patience!

  1. Heat unsalted butter in a skillet over medium heat until butter is melted (per the printable recipe below).
  2. Continue cooking while stirring until the solids separate and the butter begins to turn golden brown.
  3. Once it browns, quickly remove the butter from heat and strain into a bowl jar

straining mixture to show How to Make Brown Butter

What is Brown Butter Used For?

Brown butter has a mildly nutty flavor that complements nearly everything from meats, vegetables, pasta, and even baked goods like banana bread! It’s easy to make, so explore with brown butter! It is delicious poured over a head of steamed cauliflower, or even as a dip for steak bites or scallops.

Brown Butter Tips

  • For faster more even melting, cut butter into small cubes before cooking.
  • Constant stirring will keep the brown butter from burning, which can happen easily. Remove from heat just when it starts turning golden brown because it will continue to cook once removed.
  • If the brown butter appears a little clumpy, pour it through a strainer or layers of cheesecloth until the mixture is smooth.
  • Brown butter can also be frozen in an ice cube tray and then the cubes can be stored in a zippered bag and then popped out whenever a quick and easy sauce is needed!
image of Everyday Comfort cookbook by Holly Nilsson of Spend With Pennies plus text
butter in jar to show How to Make Brown Butter
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How to Make Brown Butter

Brown Butter is easy to make, and only uses one simple ingredient!
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 15 minutes
Servings 8 tablespoons
Author Holly Nilsson
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Ingredients  

  • ½ cup unsalted butter cut into cubes

Instructions 

  • Heat butter in a skillet or saucepan over medium heat.
  • Continue stirring until butter turns a light brown color and has a nutty fragrance.
  • Immediately remove from the heat (so it doesn't burn) and strain into a bowl. Discard the solids in the strainer.
  • Store in the refrigerator up to two weeks.

Notes

  • For faster more even melting, cut butter into small cubes before cooking.
  • Constant stirring will keep the brown butter from burning, which can happen easily. Remove from heat just when it starts turning golden brown because it will continue to cook once removed.
  • If the brown butter appears a little clumpy, pour it through a strainer or layers of cheesecloth until the mixture is smooth.
  • Brown butter can also be frozen in an ice cube tray and then the cubes can be stored in a zippered bag and then popped out whenever a quick and easy sauce is needed!
5 from 5 votes

Nutrition Information

Serving: 1tablespoon | Calories: 102 | Carbohydrates: 1g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 12g | Saturated Fat: 7g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 31mg | Sodium: 2mg | Potassium: 3mg | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 355IU | Calcium: 3mg | Iron: 1mg

Nutrition information provided is an estimate and will vary based on cooking methods and brands of ingredients used.

Course Dip, Sauce
Cuisine American
strained butter to show How to Make Brown Butter with writing
straining butter tos how How to Make Brown Butter with writing
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About the author

Holly Nilsson is the creator of Spend With Pennies, where she creates easy, comforting recipes made for real life. With a passion for nostalgic flavors and simplified techniques, Holly helps busy home cooks create delicious meals that always work. She is also the author of “Everyday Comfort,” which promises to inspire even more hearty, home-cooked meals.
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Comments

  1. Hi Holly, I make Brown Butter for a chocolate chip recipe I have,
    and it gives the cookies a amazing flavor!
    Thank you for the tips on freezing the butter.
    You have great recipes, and I use them all the time!
    Thank you, from another Holly5 stars