What To Know
- Whether you’re a seasoned grilling enthusiast or a novice looking to master the art, this comprehensive guide will uncover the secrets of the best butter for grilling.
- A rich, nutty butter created by browning regular butter in a saucepan until it turns a golden brown color.
- Mix butter with honey, sugar, or other ingredients to create a flavorful glaze that can be applied to meats or vegetables towards the end of grilling.
Grilling is an art form, and the choice of butter plays a crucial role in elevating your culinary creations to new heights. Whether you’re a seasoned grilling enthusiast or a novice looking to master the art, this comprehensive guide will uncover the secrets of the best butter for grilling.
What Makes a Great Grilling Butter?
The ideal grilling butter should possess several key qualities:
- High Smoke Point: The smoke point refers to the temperature at which butter starts to burn. A high smoke point ensures that your butter won’t scorch or smoke excessively on the grill.
- Rich Flavor: Butter should enhance the natural flavors of your grilled food, not overpower them. Look for butters with a creamy, slightly nutty taste.
- Spreadability: Grilling butter should be easy to spread on your food, even when cold. This allows for even distribution of flavor and prevents it from melting away too quickly.
Top Butters for Grilling
Based on these criteria, here are our top picks for the best butter for grilling:
- Kerrygold Irish Butter: Renowned for its rich, creamy flavor and high smoke point of 482°F.
- Plugrá European-Style Butter: Another top-rated butter with a slightly tangy flavor and a smoke point of 485°F.
- Horizon Organic Butter: Certified organic and pasture-raised, this butter has a natural sweetness and a smoke point of 450°F.
- Miyoko’s Cultured Vegan Butter: A plant-based alternative to butter with a similar texture and taste, suitable for vegans and those with dairy allergies.
Types of Butter for Different Grilling Techniques
- Compound Butter: Mix softened butter with herbs, spices, or other ingredients to create flavorful compound butters that can be spread on or stuffed into meats.
- Clarified Butter: Also known as ghee, clarified butter is made by removing the milk solids from regular butter. It has a higher smoke point and a nutty flavor.
- Brown Butter: A rich, nutty butter created by browning regular butter in a saucepan until it turns a golden brown color.
How to Use Butter for Grilling
- Basting: Brush or spoon melted butter over your food while grilling to add flavor and moisture.
- Glazing: Mix butter with honey, sugar, or other ingredients to create a flavorful glaze that can be applied to meats or vegetables towards the end of grilling.
- Stuffing: Stuff compound butter into the cavity of poultry or fish to infuse it with flavor from the inside out.
- Tossing: Toss grilled vegetables or seafood in melted butter to enhance their flavor and add a glossy sheen.
Tips for Grilling with Butter
- Use Cold Butter: Cold butter will melt more slowly on the grill, preventing it from burning.
- Don’t Overcook: Butter can burn quickly, so keep an eye on it and remove from the grill when it starts to brown.
- Experiment with Flavors: Don’t be afraid to experiment with different types of butter and flavors to create unique and delicious grilled creations.
The Ultimate Grilling Butter
For an unforgettable grilling experience, consider creating your own custom grilling butter. Here’s a recipe for a versatile compound butter that will elevate any grilled dish:
Ingredients:
- 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh herbs (such as parsley, thyme, or rosemary)
- 2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 teaspoon lemon zest
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
Instructions:
1. In a medium bowl, combine all ingredients and mix until well blended.
2. Shape the butter into a log and wrap it in plastic wrap.
3. Refrigerate for at least 2 hours before using.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Can I use regular butter for grilling? Yes, but it has a lower smoke point than other types of butter, so it’s more likely to burn.
- What’s the difference between cultured and unsalted butter? Cultured butter has a slightly tangy flavor due to the addition of live bacteria cultures. Unsalted butter has no salt added.
- How do I store grilling butter? Store grilling butter in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks.
- Can I freeze grilling butter? Yes, you can freeze grilling butter for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before using.
- Is clarified butter better than regular butter for grilling? Clarified butter has a higher smoke point than regular butter, making it less likely to burn.
