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How To Brown Butter

Brown butter gives any recipe a toasted, nutty flavor. This technique is easy to learn and can accompany savory foods like vegetables, pasta or meats. You can also add depth to desserts by adding brown butter to a granola crumble topping or rice cereal treats! The possibilities are endless, all it takes is real butter!

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Step 1: Melt Butter

Start by melting unsalted butter over medium heat. Why not salted butter? Salted butter tends to foam more than unsalted butter, making it difficult to judge the color change.

Step 2: Stir Frequently

As the butter melts, gently swirl the pan to ensure the butter doesn’t burn. It will begin to splutter as the water cooks off. Stir frequently at this stage as the butter begins to turn a light golden color.

Step 3: Reduce Heat

Turn down the heat as sputtering subsides and the butter will turn into a light foam.

Step 4: Let Milk Solids Develop

Now, the color will begin to deepen into a golden color. Notice the small brown bits of milk solids developing at the bottom…you’re almost done!

Step 5: Remove From Heat

Once the butter begins to turn a toasted brown color and you can smell the nutty aroma, remove the pan from the heat and transfer to a heat-proof bowl to cool before adding to your recipe.