How to Brown Butter

I love using brown butter because it is a quick and simple way to elevate the flavor of my recipes. Browned butter is versatile and can be used in a variety of dishes, both sweet and savory, to add a rich and nutty flavor. The best part? The process is super easy. Let me teach you how!

Close up of Browned Butter in a square white bowl sitting on a granite counter. Behind the bowl there are two unopened packages of butter and a black and white striped towel.

Instructions

  1. Choose a heavy-bottomed saucepan or skillet that distributes heat evenly. 
  2. Place your butter in the pan on the stove. I like to use salted, but you can use unsalted if you prefer.
  3. Over medium-low heat, melt the butter, stirring occasionally with a spatula to keep it from burning. 
Two cubes melting in a pan on the stove.
Melted and foaming in a pan on the stove.

4. Once it has melted, it will begin to foam. 

5. As you keep stirring, the foam will start to subside and the butter will turn to a golden brown color. 

6. As soon as it turns into a rich, nutty brown color and begins to smell fragrant, your butter is ready! Immediately remove the pan from the heat to prevent burning. The whole process is quick and should only take around 5-8 minutes. 

7. Once you have browned butter, you can use it immediately or store it in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 1 week. When using it chilled, let it come to room temperature before using.

Chilled brown butter, back to solid form in a bowl on the counter with a black and white striped towel.

Can you burn butter while trying to brown it?

Yes! Don’t walk away from the butter as it cooks – it can go from brown to burnt very quickly! If the butter turns dark brown or black with a burnt smell, it’s time to start over.

My butter has brown specs in it, is that okay?

Yes! Your butter may have some brown specs (sediment) in it. That’s okay! But if your recipe calls for clarified brown butter, you will want to strain it using a cheesecloth or fine-mesh sieve to remove those specs.

Can you brown Margarine or other types of fat?

It is possible to brown other types of fat instead of butter, but the flavor will be different. I would recommend sticking to butter.

A close up of a white square bowl with brown butter in it. In the background of the picture are two cubes of unopened butter and a black and white striped towel. In the upper right hand corner, there is an added picture of chilled brown butter in a small white bowl. Across the bottom is a graphic with the words "How to Brown Butter"

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Brown butter in square bowl.

How to Brown Butter

Browned butter is versatile and can be used in a variety of dishes, both sweet and savory, to add a rich and nutty flavor. The best part? The process is super easy. Let me teach you how!
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Ingredients

  • 1/2 cup butter

Instructions

  • Choose a heavy-bottomed saucepan or skillet that distributes heat evenly. 
  • Place your butter in the pan on the stove. I like to use salted, but you can use unsalted if you prefer. 
  • Over medium-low heat, melt the butter, stirring occasionally with a spatula to keep it from burning. 
  • Once it has melted, it will begin to foam. 
  • As you keep stirring, the foam will start to subside and the butter will turn to a golden brown color. 
  • As soon as it turns into a rich, nutty brown color and begins to smell fragrant, your butter is ready! Immediately remove the pan from the heat to prevent burning. The whole process is quick and should only take around 5-8 minutes. 
  • Once you have browned butter, you can use it immediately or store it in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 1 week. When using it chilled, let it come to room temperature before using.

Notes

You can brown any amount of butter that you’d like or that you need for your recipe. 
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