Basil is one of my favorite fresh herbs. I love the aroma that a basil plant gives to an herb garden, the scent on my hands when I’ve picked some leaves for a recipe, and the flavor that it gives to anything I’m making. Basil is a great addition to sauces, salads, and so much more. One thing I love to add basil to is butter. It makes the most amazing butter for breads or even to top fish, chicken, or beef. My favorite is homemade Basil Butter with Lemon.
Lemon Basil Compound Butter Recipe:

Ingredients:
- 1/2 cup butter – at room temperature
- 2 tbsp, fresh basil, sliced
- 1/2 fresh lemon
- sea salt and fresh ground black pepper to taste
- parchment or wax paper

How To Make Basil Butter With Lemon:
Use a fork or food processor to blend the butter to a smooth consistency.
Add 1-2 tsp of fresh lemon juice to the butter and continue blending.
Wash, dry, and coarsely chop the basil.
Stir the basil into the softened butter.

Add sea salt and ground pepper to taste, stirring until well combined.
Pour the butter mixture onto a sheet of parchment or wax paper.

Form the butter into a log and wrap the parchment paper around the butter. Place in the refrigerator to chill until the butter has returned to a harder consistency.

When the butter has hardened and you are ready to serve, remove it from the refrigerator and cut it into slices.
Serve with fresh baked bread or rolls, baked potatoes, pasta, corn on the cob, or atop broiled seafood and steak. Or eat it with a spoon. It’s seriously that good! This compound herbed butter recipe is good with anything you enjoy using butter on for easy extra flavor.
Printable Basil Butter Recipe:
Lemon Basil Butter Recipe
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup butter – at room temperature
- 2 tbsp, fresh basil, sliced
- 1/2 fresh lemon
- sea salt and fresh ground black pepper to taste
Instructions
- Use a fork or food processor to blend the butter to a smooth consistency.
- Add 2 tsp of fresh lemon juice to the butter and continue blending.
- (Optional, add 1/4 tsp lemon zest).
- Wash, dry, and coarsely chop the basil.
- Stir the basil into the softened butter.
- Add sea salt and ground pepper to taste, stirring until well combined.
- Scoop the butter mixture onto a sheet of parchment or wax paper.
- Form the butter into a log and wrap the parchment paper around the butter.
- Place in the refrigerator to chill until ready to serve.
Nutrition Facts
Lemon Basil Butter Recipe
Serves: 16
Amount Per Serving: | ||
---|---|---|
Calories | 51.53 kcal | |
% Daily Value* | ||
Total Fat 5.76 g | 8.9% | |
Saturated Fat 3.65 g | 18.3% | |
Trans Fat 0.23 g | ||
Cholesterol 15.25 mg | 5.1% | |
Sodium 21.55 mg | 0.9% | |
Total Carbohydrate 0.2 g | 0.1% | |
Dietary Fiber 0.06 g | 0.2% | |
Sugars 0.05 g | ||
Protein 0.09 g |
Vitamin A 5.49 % | Vitamin C 1.13 % | |
Calcium 0.29 % | Iron 0.14 % |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.
Family Focus Blog
Do you think you will use this basil butter recipe? What would you will you spread it on?
Related Recipes:
I want to go pick some basil so I can make this right now. I want to put it on a baked potato or warm French baguette.