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chive herb butter on a platter with chive blossoms
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5 from 7 votes

Chive Butter

This spring, use fresh garden chives and blossoms to make chive butter! This herb compound butter is easy to make and can be frozen for later.
Prep Time5 minutes
Cook Time5 minutes
Butter Softening + Cooling Time2 hours
Total Time2 hours 10 minutes
Course: Condiment
Cuisine: American
Diet: Gluten Free, Vegetarian
Servings: 16 servings
Calories: 102kcal

Ingredients

  • ½ pound unsalted butter, divided (2 sticks)
  • small handful chive blossoms (optional)
  • ¼ cup chives, diced
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder (or finely minced garlic)
  • ½ teaspoon sea salt

Instructions

  • Fully soften the butter by leaving it at room temperature for 30-60 minutes before proceeding.
    If using chive blossoms, dip the blossoms in a bowl of water to clean, and then set on a towel to dry.
    chive blossoms
  • Melt about 1 tablespoon of butter on medium-low heat in a pan. Add the chives (but not the blossoms), garlic, and salt to the butter, and gently heat until the chives soften and the garlic is fragrant (about 2-3 minutes).
    As soon as the garlic is fragrant, turn off the heat. Do not allow the chives to brown. If swapping fresh garlic for garlic powder, do not allow the garlic to brown.
    Set aside and allow to cool until slightly hardened.
    Heat Chives + Garlic in Butter
  • Use a rubber spatula to fold the softened butter into the chive and butter mixture.
    Break the chive blossoms apart into small, individual flowers, and fold those into the butter.
    Tip: If your pan is too hot, you might accidentally melt all of the butter. If that happens, simply set it aside and let it cool and harden before trying to form it into a log.
    Fold Softened Butter into Chives
  • To serve the same day:
    Pour butter into a serving bowl and refrigerate for at least an hour before serving. Note that butter will harden again in the fridge, so if you want it to be spreadable, take out of the fridge a few minutes before serving.
    Refrigerate leftovers and use within 5 days.
    To store for later:
    Chill butter until it's cool enough to form, and then roll it into a log. Use parchment paper or a rubber spatula to help you form the log. Wrap in parchment paper or plastic wrap, and store in an airtight container, and freeze for up to 6 months.
    When you're ready to use the butter, simply slice off the amount you want to use and put the rest back in the freezer.
    Shape the Butter into a Log

Notes

Avoid wrapping the butter in wax paper, which (in my experience) tends to stick to the butter (especially when softening the whole log).
Nutrition information assumes 1 tablespoon of butter per serving.

Nutrition

Calories: 102kcal | Carbohydrates: 1g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 12g | Saturated Fat: 7g | Cholesterol: 30mg | Sodium: 74mg | Potassium: 6mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 381IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 3mg