Compound butter is simply butter blended with flavorful ingredients such as fresh herbs, chiles, capers, anchovies, mustard, lemon juice, garlic or shallots. They’re an effortless way to add layered flavor to everyday dishes with very little work.
This three-ingredient dill caper butter is one of my favorites. It’s delicious spread on a rye crispbread topped with a sliced hard-boiled egg and extra dill for a quick savory breakfast or snack. It also works beautifully stirred into steamed vegetables or grains, or dolloped over roasted salmon or grilled steak.
Simple, versatile and bright — the flavor possibilities with this dill caper butter are endless.
Why This Recipe Works
This compound butter is incredibly simple, yet it instantly elevates plain foods into something rich and nuanced. Bright dill and briny capers contrast with creamy butter to create an elegant, balanced flavor.
What Makes this Recipe Nordic/Scandinavian?
Butter, dill and capers are commonly used in Scandinavian cooking and pair naturally together. The result feels grounded in Nordic flavors while remaining versatile enough for many cuisines.
The Ingredients
Just three ingredients: unsalted butter, capers packed in brine, and fresh dill. Because capers are salty, using unsalted butter lets you control the seasoning and prevents the butter from becoming too salty.
How to Make This Recipe
- Let the butter come to room temperature so it’s easy to work with. If needed, soften it briefly in the microwave at low power in 20–30 second increments until pliable.
- In a medium bowl, combine softened butter with chopped, rinsed, and drained capers and finely chopped fresh dill. Mix thoroughly with a fork until evenly combined.
- Use the butter immediately or transfer it to plastic wrap and form a log about 1¼ inches in diameter. Chill in the refrigerator for short-term use or freeze for longer storage.
- Slice rounds as needed and enjoy.
Expert Tips
- Soften the butter first. Soft, room-temperature butter mixes much more smoothly with the capers and dill.
- Store smart. Wrap the compound butter tightly in plastic wrap in a log shape and refrigerate for up to 5 days or freeze for up to 3 months. When frozen, slice off rounds as needed.
- Experiment with flavors. Try shallot and parsley, rosemary and roasted garlic, or horseradish and chive for different profiles. Compound butter is a great vehicle for herb and aromatic combinations.
FAQs
A compound butter is butter blended with flavoring ingredients such as herbs, spices, citrus, or briny elements like capers and anchovies. It’s an easy way to add concentrated flavor to many dishes.
Spread it on bread or crispbread, toss with cooked vegetables or grains, dollop over roasted fish or grilled meats, or tuck it under poultry skin before roasting. It’s versatile and quick to use.
Wrap the butter in plastic wrap in a log shape and refrigerate for up to 5 days, or freeze for up to 3 months. Cut off rounds as needed.
Related Recipes
For more recipes that highlight fresh dill, try the following ideas on the blog.
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Warm Barley Salad with Fresh Garden Herbs
-
Creamy Egg Salad with Dill and Capers
-
Lemon Cucumber Salad with Dill
-
Warm Mustard Dill Sauce (Perfect for Salmon or Chicken)
Give this simple three-ingredient flavor booster a try — it’s an easy way to make everyday meals taste special.
Recipe
Dill Caper Butter
Ingredients
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter room temperature
- 1 tablespoon small capers packed in brine rinsed, drained and chopped
- 1 tablespoon chopped fresh dill
Instructions
- Mix all ingredients together. Use immediately or store tightly wrapped in a log in the refrigerator for up to five days or freeze for up to three months.
Notes
- Soft butter mixes more easily. Make sure the butter is fully softened before combining.
- No extra salt needed. Capers add plenty of salt, so taste before seasoning.
- Make-ahead friendly. Form into a log, wrap tightly, and refrigerate or freeze for convenient use later.
- Try other pairings. Shallot + parsley, rosemary + roasted garlic, or horseradish + chive are all great alternatives.
Nutrition
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Carbohydrates: 1 g
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Protein: 1 g
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Fat: 11 g
If you enjoyed this recipe, try it soon — it’s a simple way to add freshness and depth to many meals.