How to Make Brown Butter: A Step-by-Step Guide with Recipes and Variations

Introduction

If you are a food enthusiast, you’ve probably heard of brown butter or beurre noisette. Brown butter is a French culinary gem that adds a nutty aroma, depth of flavor, and richness to dishes. But, if you haven’t learned how to make brown butter before, you might be missing out on one of the most versatile ingredients in your kitchen. In this article, we’ll provide you with a step-by-step guide on how to make brown butter, create some recipes, and learn some historical context for this delicious butter.

Background and History of Brown Butter

Brown butter has a long history dating back to many centuries ago in France. It’s something that has grown in popularity in recent years and has become a hot trend in the culinary world. The original French term “beurre noisette” translates to hazelnut butter, a unique color and flavor of the butter that results from the cooking process. Brown butter has become a fundamental ingredient in French cuisine because it adds flavor to dishes and complements the cultured butter’s natural saltiness. Today, we use brown butter to add flavor to everything from savory dishes to sweet baked goods.

What is Brown Butter?

Before we delve into the process of making brown butter, you might be wondering what it is and how it differs from regular butter? Brown butter is made by heating butter slowly until the milk solids caramelize and turn brown. The resulting nutty aroma and golden-brown color enhance the flavor of the butter, taking it from plain and ordinary to something extraordinary. The caramelization process releases nutty and toasty flavors that taste so good, you’ll want to use it in everything.

Step-by-Step Guide to Making Brown Butter

Making brown butter is incredibly easy, and all you need is butter, a pan, and a little patience. Here are the steps you can follow:

Equipment:

• Small, heavy-bottomed stainless steel or light-colored skillet or pan
• Wooden spatula or spoon
• Heat-proof dish

Ingredients:

• 8 ounces of quality unsalted butter, cut in pieces

1. Place your pan on the stove over medium heat, add the butter and start stirring.
2. The butter will begin to bubble and foam. Keep stirring it with a wooden spatula.
3. Gently scrape the bottom and swirl the foam while stirring.
4. Remove it from heat as soon as the butter turns a golden color and smells nutty.
5. Carefully pour the brown butter into a heatproof bowl.
6. Allow cooling for 5-10 minutes before using the brown butter in your recipe or transferring it to an airtight container to store.

To make brown butter, you need to keep a careful eye on it, so it doesn’t burn. You want the butter to be a light golden-brown color, and you’ll know it’s done when you smell a nutty aroma.

Brown Butter Recipes

Now that you know how to make brown butter let’s put it into action. Here are some fun recipes you can make using brown butter, including sweet and savory dishes:

Brown Butter Mashed Potatoes

Ingredients:

• 1 1/2 pounds of Yukon Gold potatoes, peeled and cut into quarters
• 1/2 cup brown butter
• 1/4 cup heavy cream
• 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/4 teaspoon onion powder
• Salt and pepper to taste

1. Peel and dice the potatoes, then boil them in a pot of salted water until they are soft. Drain and mash the potatoes.
2. In a separate pot, melt butter over medium heat until the solids begin to brown. It usually takes about 5 to 6 minutes.
3. Add garlic, onion powder, salt, and pepper to the brown butter.
4. Pour the brown butter mixture into the mashed potatoes and add the cream.
5. Mash the potatoes until they are creamy and well blended.
6. Serve the brown butter mashed potatoes hot with gravy or your preferred toppings.

Brown Butter Sage Sauce

Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup of brown butter
• 1 tablespoon fresh sage leaves, chopped
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice
• 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• Salt and pepper to taste

1. Melt the butter until it turns brown and fragrant as described above.
2. Add the sage leaves to the pan and stir for one minute.
3. Remove the pan from heat and stir in lemon juice, parmesan cheese, salt, and pepper
4. Serve the sauce over warm pasta or as a dip for crusty bread.

Brown Butter Blondies

Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup unsalted brown butter
• 1 cup of brown sugar, packed
• 1 large egg
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 1/2 cup white chocolate chips
• 1/2 cup dark chocolate chips

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. On a 9×9 inch baking dish, line the dish with parchment paper.
2. Cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy using a hand mixer or kitchen aid.
3. Add an egg, with salt and vanilla extract to the mix and mix until everything is blended well.
4. Add the flour in batches, mixing at low speed.
5. Mix in the chocolate chips using a silicone spatula.
6. Pour the batter into the prepared baking dish and smooth it out with your spatula.
7. Bake for 25 to 30 minutes, or until it’s baked thoroughly and appears golden brown.
8. Allow cooling down on a rack before serving.

Variations and Customizations

Brown butter is highly versatile and customizable, so you can tweak it to suit your taste and ingredients. You can incorporate some additional elements such as herbs, spices, and nut extracts, including:

• Honey or maple syrup can be added to brown butter to create a sweet flavor.
• Add black pepper, red pepper flakes, or garlic to get it on the spicier side.
• For a seasonal twist, add pumpkin spice to your brown butter.
• Mix in chopped almonds, hazelnuts, or pecans for a crunchy texture.
• Add some fresh chopped herbs to give brown butter a savory flavor.

If you’re unsure how to use brown butter, it’s great in sauces, pastries, and baked goods like cookies, cake, and bread. You can even use it to cook vegetables or saute meat and seafood.

Frequently Asked Questions about Brown Butter

Here are some frequently asked questions about brown butter:

Is brown butter the same as clarified butter?

No, these are two different types of butter. Clarified butter is made by melting butter and separating the milk solids from the fatty components, whereas brown butter is made by monitoring melted butter until the solids brown.

What is the best type of butter to use for making brown butter?

You should use unsalted butter that’s free of any added flavors or preservatives for making brown butter.

What can I use brown butter for?

Brown butter is a versatile ingredient that’s used in both savory and sweet dishes, including pasta, baked goods like bread, cakes, and cookies, sauces, and vegetable dishes.

How long can I store brown butter for?

You can store brown butter for up to two weeks in an airtight container in the refrigerator.

Conclusion

Now that you know how to make brown butter, it’s the perfect ingredient to add to your cooking. With its nutty aroma and depth of flavor, there are endless possibilities for how you can give it a twist to make it your own. By following our step-by-step guide and trying out some recipes, now you have the knowledge to recreate this delicious ingredient right in your own kitchen.