Beef Free Caribbean Jerk-Style Compound Butter
Bold, fragrant, and packed with island heat, this compound butter transforms a simple stick of unsalted butter into something that tastes like it took hours to develop. Scotch bonnet pepper brings the fire, while allspice, cinnamon, nutmeg, and smoked paprika layer in that signature jerk warmth — all balanced by bright lime zest, fresh ginger, and a touch of maple syrup. The whole thing comes together in one bowl with a fork, then gets rolled into a tidy log and chilled until you're ready to use it. Since every ingredient here is plant-based or dairy, there's nothing to second-guess — no meat, no hidden animal-based additives, just pure flavor. Slice a round onto hot grilled chicken, flaky fish, or roasted vegetables and watch it melt into a glossy, spiced sauce right on the plate. It keeps beautifully in the fridge, so you can make it ahead and have restaurant-level finishing butter on hand all week. If you've ever wondered how to bring real Caribbean-inspired depth to weeknight cooking, this is the answer.
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Learn more →Ingredients
8 servings
- ½ cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, softened to room temperature
- 3 tbsp scallion greens, finely sliced (green tops only)
- 1 tsp fresh scotch bonnet or habanero pepper, seeded and minced
- 1 tsp fresh ginger, finely grated
- 1 tsp lime zest (from about 1 lime)
- 1 tsp fresh lime juice
- 1 tsp maple syrup
- ¾ tsp ground allspice
- ½ tsp ground cinnamon
- ½ tsp dried thyme
- ¼ tsp ground black pepper
- ¼ tsp ground nutmeg
- ¼ tsp smoked paprika
- ¼ tsp fine salt
- 1 tbsp fresh cilantro, finely chopped (optional)
Instructions
- 1
In a medium mixing bowl, combine the softened butter, scallion greens, scotch bonnet pepper, ginger, lime zest, lime juice, and maple syrup. Beat with a fork or hand mixer until the ingredients are evenly distributed throughout the butter.
- 2
Add the allspice, cinnamon, thyme, black pepper, nutmeg, smoked paprika, and salt. Beat again until the spices are fully incorporated and the butter is uniform in color with no dry pockets of spice visible. Fold in the cilantro, if using.
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