Chive Butter
A simple solution to brightening up an ordinary and expected accoutrement on the table. This butter comes together in minutes, can be made days in advance, and offers a wow factor. The options for use are endless — from rolls, cornbread, and potatoes to fish, chicken, pasta, or even basting your turkey. Have fun with it!
Why You'll Love This
Minutes to make, days ahead of time — One of the easiest ways to add a little extra to a holiday table without extra day-of effort.
A genuine wow factor — A small, simple upgrade that people notice.
Endlessly versatile — Works on nearly anything you'd normally put plain butter on.
Key Ingredients
Butter, softened — The rich, creamy base; softening it fully is what lets everything blend in smoothly.
Chives — Fresh, mild onion flavor and a pop of green color throughout.
Fresh garlic and garlic powder — Using both gives a punch of fresh garlic up front along with a rounder, more even garlic flavor in the background.
Lemon juice — Adds brightness that keeps the butter from tasting flat or one-note rich.
Chive Butter
Prep time: 10 minutes, plus chilling time if shaping | Makes about ½ cup
Ingredients:
½ cup (1 stick) butter, softened to room temperature
2 tablespoons chives, chopped
2 cloves garlic, grated
½ teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon lemon juice
Instructions:
In a medium bowl, using a hand mixer or a spatula, mix the softened butter and chives together.
Add the grated garlic, garlic powder, and lemon juice, and mix until evenly combined.
Place the butter mixture in the center of a sheet of parchment paper. Fold the parchment along the sides of the butter to form it into the desired shape, such as a rectangle or a log.
Refrigerate until firm before slicing and serving.
Tips for Success
Make sure the butter is truly softened to room temperature before mixing — cold butter won't blend evenly with the chives and seasonings.
Use fresh chives for the brightest flavor and best color throughout the butter.
Taste and adjust as you go — more lemon juice for brightness, or more garlic for a stronger punch.
Roll it into a log shape for the easiest slicing and the prettiest presentation at the table.
Let chilled butter sit out for a few minutes before serving so it's soft enough to spread easily.
Ways to Serve It
On warm rolls or cornbread — An easy upgrade to a classic table side.
Melted over potatoes — Stir into mashed potatoes or melt over roasted ones.
On fish or chicken — Finish a simply cooked piece of protein with a pat on top.
Tossed with pasta — Melt into hot pasta for an instant sauce.
Basted over turkey — Brush over the turkey while roasting for extra flavor and browning.
On corn on the cob — A simple, flavorful spread for summer corn.
Storage
Store wrapped in parchment or plastic wrap, or in an airtight container, in the refrigerator for up to 1 week. To freeze, wrap the shaped log tightly and freeze for up to 3 months — slice off rounds as needed straight from frozen.
Swaps and Substitutions
Chives: Finely chopped ramps, parsley, basil, or a mix of soft herbs can stand in.
Garlic powder: Leave it out if you'd prefer a milder garlic flavor from just the fresh clove.
Lemon juice: Lemon zest adds citrus flavor without the extra liquid, if you'd rather keep the butter firmer.
Extra dimension: A pinch of flaky salt or red pepper flakes mixed in adds another layer of flavor.