Name: Simple Browned Butter Recipe
Cook time: 10 min
Ingredients: 1 stick Butter (salted or unsalted)

This simple browned butter recipe will answer your browned butter questions and give you easy tips to get it just right every time. No burnt butter here, just rich, nutty depth of flavor that transforms anything you add to it!

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This technique wasn’t part of my Dominican upbringing, but learning these cozy Southern basics has become such a sweet way to blend cultures at home—especially with the kids growing up in NC.

What is Browned Butter?

Honestly, it is exactly what it sounds like! Browned butter is butter that is melted, then cooked slightly until the milk solids turn a beautiful golden brown.

How to Use Brown Butter

Brown butter is one of the easiest ways to add a rich, nutty depth of flavor to both sweet and savory dishes. This simple browned butter recipe works in almost anything! Here are some of the best ways to use it:

Cookies & desserts
Pasta Dishes
Rice
Veggies
Sauces and Gravies
Bread/rolls

What Does Browning Butter Do?

When butter melts, the water beings to evaporate. As the butter begins cooking, the milk solids sink to the bottom and caramelize.

Those tiny brown specks are full of nutty, toasty flavor and they are what make this simple browned butter recipe so special.

How Long Does It Take to Brown Butter?

Browning butter usually takes anywhere from 5-10 minutes but it should not take long. It does require staying close because you can go from browned to burnt very quickly.

Brown Butter vs Burnt Butter

brown butter in bowl being stirred with spoon

The difference is in the color and flavor:

Brown Butter is golden to amber and smells nutty
Burnt Butter turns dark brown or black and tastes bitter

Can I Brown Butter in the Microwave?

Yes! You can follow this simple browned butter recipe in the microwave too:

Add butter to a microwave safe bowl.
Cover because the butter will splatter.
Microwave for 2 min, then,
Continue microwaving in 30-second increments for 1–5 minutes, depending on your microwave and amount of butter.

Look for a golden brown to dark amber color and a nutty aroma.

brown butter on spoon held just over bowl of golden brown butter

What Does Brown Butter Taste Like?

Even though the milk solids caramelize, brown butter doesn’t taste sugary. Instead, it has a nutty, warm, toasty flavor that adds depth to both sweet and savory dishes. My family’s favorite way to use it is in our browned butter chocolate chip cookies!

Can You Brown Salted Butter?

Yes! You can use salted or unsalted butter, depending on what your recipe calls for.

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Is Brown Butter Healthy?

Some say brown butter is slightly healthier than regular butter, but I wasn’t able to find reliable research to support this claim.

Browned Butter Ingredients

1 stick of butter (salted or unsalted)

How to Make Brown Butter (Step-by-Step)

This part is where your simple browned butter recipe truly shines.
Place the butter in a heavy-bottomed pan. This helps distribute heat evenly. I use a small cast iron skillet.
Melt the butter, stirring occasionally. It will start to crackle as it melts and begins cooking.
Listen for the crackling to stop — this means the water has evaporated.
Keep stirring and watch closely; butter can burn fast.
Cook until the butter smells nutty and the milk solids turn golden brown.
Remove from heat right away and transfer to a container to stop the cooking.

Butter melting in cast iron pan for browning

Your brown butter is ready to use!

How to Store Brown Butter?

To refrigerate:

Store in a glass jar for up to 2 weeks.
Note: it will re-solidify.

To freeze:

Pour the brown butter into an ice cube tray
Stir between pours so every cube gets flavorful brown bits.
Freeze until solid, then transfer the individual cubes to a freezer-safe bag.
Store for 2–3 months.

brown butter on spoon with brown bits high over white bowl with brown butter in it

Simple Browned Butter Recipe

Learn how to make perfectly browned butter every time! This simple browned butter recipe gives you rich, nutty flavor without burning it.

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Cook Time 10

Ingredients Equipment Method Video Notes

Ingredients

1 stick Butter salted or unsalted

Equipment

1 heavy bottom pan

Method

Place the butter in a heavy bottom pan to melt. This will evenly distribute the heat. I use my small cast iron skillet.
Melt the butter stirring occasionally. It will begin to crackle as it transitions from melting to cooking the butter.
Continue stirring and listen for the crackling to stop.
Once the crackling stops, stir occasionally and watch carefully because butter can burn easily
Cook until it smells nutty and looks golden brown.
remove from the heat and transfer to a container to stop the browning and for storage.
It is ready to add to your recipes!

Video

Notes

To refrigerate: Place in a glass jar and refrigerate for up to 2 weeks! Note: it will re-solidify.

To freeze: Pour into an ice cube tray and freeze. Once completely frozen, place individual browned butter cubes into a freezer safe bag for later use. It will keep for 2-3 months.

Note: Be sure to stir your browned butter in between pours so that every cube gets some of the flavorful browned bits!