Easy Chive Infused Butter

An easy chive-infused butter recipe is the best way to add rich flavor to your favorite meals any time of year. For Easter, I shaped this infused butter into adorable individual butter eggs, making it a festive addition to the holiday table. Made with a stick of butter, fresh chives, and a hint of garlic, this easy compound butter comes together in 10 minutes. The mild onion flavor of the chives blends beautifully with the creamy butter to create a compound butter that’s perfect on fresh bread, tossed with pasta dishes, melted over vegetables, or served on top of steak. Be sure to save the printable recipe card so you can make this flavorful infused butter again and again.

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Equipment for Easy Chive Butter Recipe

• Medium or small bowl
• Knife
• 2 teaspoons (for adding herb butter to molds)
• Fork
• Egg-shaped silicone mold or ice cube tray – Mold Here
• Electric mixer – optional (helpful if you have trouble stirring)
• Freezer bag
• Airtight container
• Cutting board
• Parchment paper or plastic wrap (if you are going to make a log shape)
• Wax paper

Ingredients:

• 2 sticks room temperature butter – unsalted butter 
• 3 tablespoons fresh chives
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder or 2 – 3 cloves of garlic, minced
• 1/2 teaspoon fine sea salt (if you use salted butter, skip the salt)

Step 1: Get Your Butter Ready for Herb Blending

The first step is to be sure your unsalted butter is at room temperature before mixing in the fresh herbs. If you forget to soften your stick of butter, don’t worry! Check out my quick tips below to get it softened fast.

Step 2: Chop and Mix Your Chives into Softened Butter

Next, chop the chives on a cutting board. Add fresh herbs. Add ½ tsp. of fine sea salt if you’re using unsalted butter. Use a fork to mix the chopped chives into the softened butter until well combined.

Step 3: Shape and Store Chive Infused Butter

If you’re using molds to make individual servings, grab two teaspoons. I find it’s easiest to add butter in small batches this way. Add the butter to the mold until it’s full, then smooth the top with the back of the spoon. Since I was using them the next day, I covered my egg-shaped butter tightly with (sticky) plastic wrap and popped them in the refrigerator overnight.

Cindy’s Butter Tip: If you plan to freeze these, now is the time to cover the mold with parchment paper and {sticky) plastic wrap. Freeze for a few hours. Remove the futter from the molds and add parchment paper or wax paper between them to prevent sticking when thawing. Add them to a freezer-safe bag or an airtight container.

Step 4: Roll a Chive Butter Log

If you are rolling a butter log, place a large sheet of plastic wrap on the cutting board; it will keep the counter clean. Place the chive butter in the center of a sheet of plastic wrap and use it to help form a log shape. Roll it up tightly, twisting the ends tight. This will help keep your homemade butter fresh.

Cindy’s Butter Log Tip: You can use either plastic or parchment paper to shape the butter into a log, but plastic is the best choice because it’s more flexible and makes it easier to roll the butter tightly. Place the wrapped butter in a freezer-safe bag or an airtight container. If you choose parchment, add a rubber band to the ends to keep it tightly closed.

How long does Chive Butter Last?

Chive herb butter can last up to two weeks in the refrigerator when stored properly. I wrap the herb butter tightly in plastic wrap and place it in an airtight container.  

For longer storage, freezing is the best way to preserve flavor and have compound butter ready anytime you need it. To freeze, shape the butter into a log. Wrap it tightly in plastic wrap or place it in a freezer bag, and store it in an airtight container. Properly frozen, chive butter will last up to 6 months.

I often make larger portions of chive butter for family meals. They are perfect for tossing with a pound of pasta, topping with smashed baked potatoes, or on top of grilled steaks.

Cindy’s Easy Homemade Butter Tip: Let your infused butter thaw overnight in the refrigerator for the best texture and flavor. Individual servings in an ice cube tray or silicone molds can be removed before serving, so they soften slightly before use.

What are chives?

Chive plants are part of the allium family, just like onions and garlic, but they have a mild onion flavor with a hint of garlic. Their long, green, hollow stalks make them easy to spot in the garden. Chive plants begin to show their flower blooms from early May to early summer, depending on your growing zone.

Chives: A Tasty, Easygoing Herb

Chive blossoms aren’t just pretty; they’re edible flowers that pack a subtle oniony kick. They pair well with so many flavor profiles and dishes.

Here are delicious ways to use them:

• Sprinkled on top of steak with goat cheese (so good!)
• A classic baked potato topped with sour cream
• Next time you roast a whole chicken. Spread room temperature infused butter on the skin and under the breast before baking. This helps create crispy skin and juicy meat every time. Get the details (HERE). I make the perfect bird.
• Add herb compound butter to a charcuterie board for a great way to add a flavor upgrade.
• Stir into pasta dishes and finish with fresh chives for the best flavor.

Chives are an easy herb to grow and are versatile in the kitchen. If you don’t want to grow chive plants, you can buy them at the grocery store and still enjoy their mild onion flavor with a hint of garlic to create delicious recipes.

What is chive compound butter?

Chive compound butter is an easy compound butter made by mixing fresh chives into high-quality unsalted butter. As it sits, the chived infused butter develops into a rich, savory flavor as the herbs blend into the butter.

It’s delicious served on warm dinner rolls, melted over pastas, or added to vegetables, steak, and baked potatoes for extra flavor.

It’s one of the easiest ways to make homemade butter with just a few ingredients.

Why You’ll Love this Chive Compound Butte:

Whether you grow fresh chives in your garden or buy them at the grocery store, this delicious compound butter recipe comes together in minutes.

• Stirring: Simply chop the chives, add a hint of garlic, mix them into softened butter, and stir with a fork.
• Freezes Well: This herb butter recipe is great to freeze to have on hand. Make individual servings in an ice cube tray or silicone molds (I HAVE THESE). Place parchment paper or wax paper between each layer before freezing. It takes extra time, but it ensures your butter doesn’t stick together. Add the individual servings to a freezer bag for best results. This makes it easy to grab the next time you make garlic bread, dinner rolls, pasta dishes, or a baked potato; it’s ready.
• Fresh Onion Chives: The fresh onion and hint of garlic add savory flavor to pasta dishes, steaks, dinner rolls, mashed potatoes, crackers, and more.
• Hostess Gift: Going to a party? This easy compound butter is an easy way to bring a thoughtful hostess gift. Add this chive compound butter to a clean Mason jar. Wrap the Mason jar with ribbon and include a recipe card for an amazing hostess gift.

Quick Ways to Soften Butter Fast

Forgot to take your butter out of the freezer? No worries, here are quick ways to soften butter fast:

• Microwave Method: Cut the unsalted butter into smaller cubes. Microwave it in 5-10 second bursts, checking each time to make sure it doesn’t melt.
• Warm water trick: Place the stick of butter (still wrapped) in a plastic bag, then set it in a bowl of warm water for 10-15 minutes.
• Grate Method: If you’re in a hurry, grab a cheese grater and shred the butter into small pieces. The frozen butter will be ready to use in minutes.

Cindy’s Soft Butter Note: It’s not recommended to soften butter in a bowl of ice water. The cold temperature will slow the softening process. Instead, use warm water (not hot) or one of the methods above. Ice water will keep the butter too firm and make it hard to soften properly. Chop and mix your chives into softened butter.

Elevate Your Cooking with Homemade Chive Butter

You can whip up this flavorful chive butter with simple ingredients and minimal effort to elevate your favorite dishes. Spread it on warm bread, melt it over steak, or stir it into pasta dishes. This homemade compound butter is a flavor boost. Ready to give it a try? Grab the printable recipe card to make easy chive infused butterm today!

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