Chive Butter Recipe

This easy homemade chive butter recipe is the perfect way to add fresh, savory flavor to your favorite dishes. Made with creamy butter, finely chopped chives, and optional chive blossoms, it’s a simple compound butter that pairs beautifully with grilled steaks, roasted vegetables, warm bread, and more.

If you’re looking for a flavorful, easy way to upgrade your meals, this homemade butter is it. With just a few simple ingredients like softened butter, fresh chives, and a touch of shallot, you can create a delicious savory compound butter that adds a pop of flavor to everything from grilled steaks to a warm slice of garlic bread.

Whether you’re using chives from your herb garden or grabbing a bunch at the grocery store, this chive compound butter is a great way to highlight fresh, seasonal herbs.

What Is Chive Butter?

Chive butter is a type of herb compound butter, meaning it’s a mixture of butter blended with flavorful herbs and seasonings. In this case, we’re using fresh chives, chive blossoms, and minced shallot to give it a light, mild onion flavor and a subtle, almost floral edge. It spreads beautifully over fresh bread, melts perfectly onto a baked potato, and works as a simple but elegant addition to any savory dish.

This chive butter recipe is also a perfect way to preserve the flavor of spring and summer herbs, especially if you grow edible flowers like chive flowers or purple flowers in your own garden.

Why You’ll Love This Homemade Chive Butter

• Quick & easy: With only a few ingredients and minimal prep time, you’ll have homemade butter in just minutes (plus chill time).
• Versatile flavor: The hint of garlic from the chives and the brightness of the shallot make this butter a fantastic match for nearly any dish.
• Great for gifting or storing: Wrap in parchment paper or shape into rounds in an ice cube tray—it stores beautifully and even makes a lovely homemade gift.

Ingredients You’ll Need

To make this flavorful chive blossom butter, you’ll need the following:

• Butter: Use unsalted butter so you can control the salt level. It should be room temperature for easy mixing.
• Fresh chives: Finely chop these to release their flavor. You can also use garlic chives for a slightly stronger taste.
• Chive blossoms: Optional, but they add color and a unique flavor. This is also a great use for leftover chive blossom vinegar!
• Shallot: Adds a mild onion flavor that complements the chives.
• Flaky sea salt: Enhances the overall flavor—don’t add too much salt up front; you can always adjust.

How to Make Chive Butter at Home

Making chive butter at home is simple:

1. In a medium bowl, combine 2 sticks (1 cup) of softened butter, 3 tablespoons of chopped fresh chives, 2 tablespoons of finely chopped chive blossoms, and 1 small minced shallot.
2. Use a rubber spatula (or fork) to mix until everything is evenly combined into one flavorful butter recipe.
3. Add flaky salt to taste and mix again.
4. Place the butter mixture onto a piece of parchment paper or plastic wrap, roll it into a log shape, and wrap it tightly.
5. Chill in the fridge for 1 hour to firm up—or enjoy it immediately as a soft spread.

Total time: 10 minutes active prep + 1 hour chill (if desired)

Tips for the Best Compound Butter with Chives

• Use room temperature butter for easy mixing.
• Don’t overdo the salt, especially if you plan to pair this with salty foods like parmesan cheese.
• For large batches, use a stand mixer to blend your ingredients evenly.
• If using chive flowers, make sure they’re clean and free of dirt or bugs.

Ways to Use Chive Butter

There are so many favorite ways to enjoy this herb butter:

• Melt it over grilled steak, grilled fish, or your favorite chicken recipe
• Spread it on toast, biscuits, or garlic bread
• Serve with roasted or steamed veggies
• Add a slice to a smoked baked potato with sour cream and chives
• Use in place of regular butter on savory dishes

You can even swirl it into cream cheese or drizzle over smoked and grilled corn for a seasonal twist!

How to Store and Freeze Chive Butter

To store, wrap the butter log in parchment paper or plastic wrap and keep it in an airtight container in the fridge for up to one week.

For long-term storage:

• Slice the log into rounds and freeze in a freezer-safe bag or freezer bag for up to 3 months.
• You can also freeze portions in an ice cube tray and transfer to a bag once frozen.

This makes it easy to grab just what you need, when you need it.

Flavor Variations and Add-Ins

Want to switch it up? Try one of these compound butter variations:

• Garlic chive butter: Add minced garlic or roasted garlic for more punch.
• Lemon zest: Brightens up seafood and chicken dishes.
• Honey butter with chives: Sweet and savory—perfect with cornbread.
• Parmesan herb butter: Add grated parmesan cheese and basil or thyme.

You can even combine multiple herbs from your herb garden to create your own signature homemade butter blend.

More Recipes To Try

Cowboy Butter Recipe

Bone Marrow Compound Butter

Homemade Jalapeno Honey Butter

Red Wine Compound Butter Recipe