BHA & BHT Free Caribbean Jerk-Style Compound Butter
Compound butter is one of those kitchen tricks that makes everything it touches taste like you actually know what you're doing. This version is loaded with warm allspice, cinnamon, nutmeg, and smoked paprika, plus a hit of scotch bonnet heat, fresh ginger, and bright lime zest — it's bold, aromatic, and deeply satisfying. Many store-bought flavored butters and seasoning blends sneak in synthetic preservatives like BHA and BHT to extend shelf life, but this one is made entirely from whole spices, fresh aromatics, and real unsalted butter, so you know exactly what's in every slice. The maple syrup adds just a whisper of sweetness that rounds out the heat beautifully without tipping into dessert territory. You roll it into a log, chill it until firm, and then slice off rounds to melt over grilled chicken, fish, or roasted vegetables whenever you need them. It's the kind of thing you'll want to keep stashed in your fridge at all times — a little pat of it transforms a weeknight dinner into something that tastes genuinely special.
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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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