How to Brown Butter

What is brown butter and why is it used in recipes? Learn learn how to brown butter to add a nutty flavor to so many of your recipes.

Cook Time 10

Total Time 10

Melt the butter in a heavy-bottomed saucepan or skillet over medium heat, stirring frequently.
Once melted, allow the butter to continue cooking over medium heat, stirring constantly. As it cooks, the butter will begin to foam and then subside. Brown specks will begin to form at the bottom of the pan and the butter will take on a nutty aroma.
Once the butter starts to brown, watch it very carefully – it will go from brown to burnt very quickly. As soon as the butter reaches your desired color, immediately remove it from the heat and pour it into a bowl to stop the browning process.

Using a light-colored skillet, as opposed to a black skillet, will allow you to better see as the butter begins to brown.

You may use salted butter instead of unsalted, but note that it will make it harder to control the salt content of your final recipe.

Keep the butter moving in the pan to help it brown evenly and prevent burning.

Brown butter can be stored in a glass jar in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks or in the freezer in an airtight container for up to 3 months.