Sesame Free Caribbean Jerk-Style Compound Butter
This compound butter is a little jar of Caribbean sunshine packed into a sliceable log — fiery scotch bonnet, warm allspice, cinnamon, nutmeg, and a bright hit of lime zest all swirled into creamy unsalted butter. The result is bold, aromatic, and deeply layered in a way that makes plain grilled chicken or roasted vegetables feel like a serious occasion. Compound butters can sometimes sneak in unexpected ingredients, but this one keeps things clean and straightforward — every element on the list is a whole spice, a fresh herb, or a pantry staple you already recognize. A touch of maple syrup rounds out the heat from the habanero without dulling it, and the lime juice keeps everything tasting alive and vibrant. You simply beat it all together, roll it into a log, and refrigerate until firm — then slice off rounds whenever you need a fast, flavor-packed finishing touch. It melts beautifully over hot food, so a single slice does a lot of heavy lifting at the dinner table. Make a batch on the weekend and you'll find yourself reaching for it all week long.
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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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