How to Make Brown Butter

If you’ve never used brown butter, you’re about to make a new best friend in the kitchen.  Brown butter is a secret ingredient I like to use quite often.  It’s decadent and indulgent but SUPER EASY to make and takes literally LESS THAN 10 MINUTES!!!  I’m not playing around here people…Brown Butter is no joke.

Here are some FAQ about Brown Butter:

1. How do you make Brown Butter?

Very Easily!
-Start by adding butter to a sauce pan over medium heat.  Let the butter melt completely.
-Keep continuing to melt.  You will start to see it get foamy (see below).
-Once it hits this stage of foaminess, continue cooking another 2 minutes or so.  You will start to smell a nutty aroma and see brown specks forming.
-Take off heat and let cool.  Voila!

FUN FACT:  Brown Butter is made by essentially melting the butter to the point where the fats separate into butterfat and milk solids.  The milk solids are the tiny brown specks that sink to the bottom.

2. What does Brown Butter Taste Like?

Brown butter has a nutty aroma and flavor.  It’s French Name, “Beurre Noisette” literally translates to Hazelnut Butter).

3. How Long does it take to make Brown Butter?

Less than 10 minutes!  After the butter is completely melted, the browning process happens in anywhere between 5-10 minutes.

4. How do I know if Brown Butter is burnt?

Cooking the butter past the browning stage will cause the solids to start to burn.  You will know they are burnt because the smell will be just that: a burnt smell! You’ll also see the brown specks turn dark, almost black.

5. What is Brown Butter used for?

Brown butter is a great addition to many dishes.  It’s rich and flavorful and can be used in sweet or savory plates.

Some recipes to try it with:
-Pasta with Brown Butter Sauce
–Brown Butter Pecan Cupcakes (click here for recipe!)
-Sweet Potatoes with Brown Butter
-Brown Butter Frosting
–Warm Fall Quinoa Salad with Roasted Butternut Squash & Maple Dijon Dressing
-Roasted Vegetables tossed with Brown Butter
–Soft Chai Spice Brown Butter Snickerdoodles

Now that you’ve learned a little bit about brown butter, how to make it and what to use it on, I hope you’re inspired to whip up a brown butter flavored dish!

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