Brown Butter
Brown butter, also known as beurre noisette (French for "hazelnut butter"), is simply butter that has been cooked until the milk solids are toasted to a slightly sweet, nutty, golden brown color. During this process, most of the water content evaporates, concentrating the butter's flavor.Use brown butter in baked goods like banana chocolate chip cookies or brown butter chocolate cookies or drizzle over fried eggs, veggies, meat, or seafood.
Tools
- Medium Saucepan or Skillet
- Wooden Spoon or Heatproof Spatula
- Heat-resistant Bowl or Container
- Optional: Fine Mesh Strainer
Ingredients
- 226 g (2 sticks) unsalted butter , cut into equal-sized pieces
- ¼ cup dry milk powder , optional
Instructions
- Place the unsalted butter pieces in a light-colored medium saucepan over medium heat. Melt the butter until it begins to brown. It will go through different stages, so pay close attention. The butter will first foam and sputter, and then you'll start to see some brown bits forming at the bottom of the pan. This process should take about 3 minutes after the butter has completely melted.
- As soon as the butter smells nutty and toasted and turns copper in color, reduce the heat to low to prevent burning. Carefully add the milk powder to the browned butter. Use a flexible spatula to incorporate the milk powder, stirring constantly. Make sure to clean the bottom and sides of the pan to avoid burning the milk powder.
- Continue stirring until the mixture turns a deep golden brown, which should take about 1 to 2 minutes. Immediately transfer it to a heatproof bowl, scraping any extra bits of milk solids from the pan.; this will prevent the residual heat from the pan from continuing to cook the butter and potentially burning it. Allow the brown butter to cool to room temperature before using it in your recipe.
- Camila's Tip: I prefer to leave the browned milk solids in the brown butter for additional flavor. However, if you prefer a smoother texture, you can strain or decant the brown butter to remove the milk solids—the clear fat will still maintain a mild toasted flavor.
Notes
How to Store & Re-Heat
Allow brown butter to cool and transfer it to an airtight container. Store in the refrigerator for 5 days or freeze for longer storage. Spoon out the desired amount, and heat gently on the stovetop or in the microwave, stirring occasionally until warmed to the desired temperature. Avoid overheating. Use in your recipe or dish as needed.
How to Make-Ahead
To make brown butter ahead of time, follow the brown butter recipe as stated. Allow the brown butter to cool to room temperature before transferring it to an airtight container, such as a glass jar or a plastic container with a tight-fitting lid. You have the option to store the brown butter in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
How to Freeze
To freeze browned butter, follow the recipe for brown butter as stated. Allow the browned butter to cool to room temperature. Transfer the cooled browned butter to a freezer-safe container, such as a small airtight plastic or glass container. Label the container with the contents (browned butter) and the date it was made. Place the container in the freezer and freeze the browned butter until solid. When you want to use the frozen browned butter, thaw it in the refrigerator overnight or gently heat it in a saucepan on low heat until it liquefies. Avoid overheating to preserve its flavor and texture. The frozen browned butter can be stored in the freezer for up to 3 months.
Nutrition Facts
Brown Butter
Amount per Serving
Calories
1729
% Daily Value*
Fat
184
g
283
%
Saturated Fat
116
g
725
%
Trans Fat
7
g
Polyunsaturated Fat
7
g
Monounsaturated Fat
48
g
Cholesterol
492
mg
164
%
Sodium
185
mg
8
%
Potassium
591
mg
17
%
Carbohydrates
16
g
5
%
Sugar
16
g
18
%
Protein
13
g
26
%
Vitamin A
6301
IU
126
%
Vitamin C
2
mg
2
%
Calcium
432
mg
43
%
Iron
0.2
mg
1
%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
All nutritional information is based on third-party calculations and is only an estimate. Each recipe and nutritional value will vary depending on the brands you use, measuring methods, and portion sizes per household.
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