Herb Butter For Turkey (Compound Butter)

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This herb butter recipe will help you make the juiciest and most flavorful turkey or chicken. This easy compound will save you time during your holiday cooking as you can make it ahead and freeze.

❤️ Why You’ll Love It

This herb butter only needs a few ingredients, and you probably already have those on hand! The seasonings fuse into the butter, creating a delicious blend of flavors that kicks the turkey’s flavor up a notch.

What is a Compound Butter?

If you’re unfamiliar with compound butter, it’s just butter mixed with fragrant seasonings to add even more flavor to meats and dishes. This is my favorite herb butter for my Thanksgiving turkey!

🥘 Equipment Used

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All you need to make this herb butter is a medium sized bowl and a whisk. If you don’t have a whisk, you can use a spoon or fork to combine the butter with the seasonings.

🧾 Ingredients Used

Unsalted butter: I use unsalted so I can control the amount of salt in my compound butter.
Herbs: Fresh parsley, fresh oregano leaves, thyme.
Garlic cloves: For extra flavor.
Salt: You can add as much or as little salt as you want to.

🔪 How To Make This Recipe

Make sure the butter is softened. I like to leave it out for about an hour or microwave it in short bursts for a few seconds.
Add the butter and all of the spices to a medium-sized bowl.
Use a whisk to mix the butter and spices together until well combined.
You can use the butter immediately or freeze for later.

how to make herb compound Butter For Turkey

🥫 Storing and Reheating

You can store the herb butter for turkey in the refrigerator for up to five days or freezer for up to 3 months.

If you want to make it ahead of time and freeze it, it’s best to roll the butter into a log, wrap it with cling wrap, and twist the ends before putting it in a Ziploc bag or airtight container. This helps keep the butter together and mess-free. It also makes it easy to slice!

💭 Tips and Variations

Use unsalted butter when making your compound butter. This will help keep the mixture from being too salty.
Do not melt the butter! This is very important. It should be softened or at room temperature, not melted.
You can easily double or triple this recipe to make as much as you need. Make a large batch now, freeze it, and use it when you’re ready.

🍽️ What can I eat this recipe with?

While I love making this herbed compound butter for my roasted thanksgiving turkey, it can also be used on other meats like chicken or turkey breasts.

👩‍🍳 Frequently asked questions

What if I don’t have a whisk?

No problem! Instead of a whisk, you can use a fork, spoon, or even a baking spatula to combine the ingredients. The most important thing is to be sure your herb butter is combined well before using it on the turkey or storing it.

Does the butter have to be softened?

Yes. Using softened butter will make it easier to blend the butter with the spices evenly. Do not melt it, just let it sit on the counter until it becomes soft or room temperature.

How do I use the compound butter for turkey?

Rub the softened herb compound butter all over the turkey and under the skin. This will help give the meat its flavor and brown the turkey skin as it cooks.

📖 Recipe