Name: Cilantro Lime Butter
Prep time: 5 min
Ingredients: 1/2 cup salted butter, slightly softened; 1/4 cup cilantro; 1 Tablespoon lime juice

This savory butter is perfect on your favorite chicken or beef once cooked. You can also add to grilled corn or vegetables as well.

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Cilantro Lime Butter is made with just 3 simple ingredients but can be added to a variety of dishes for more of a fresh and zesty flavor.

Making your own butter is not hard and you would not believe the extra flavor the lime and cilantro bring in.

You can use herbed butters like this one on seafood dishes, such as salmon and shrimp recipes, it’s great for steaks, and we love it on chicken. Let’s not forget that if you are serving dinner rolls you can spread it there too.

Another popular option is when you are making grilled vegetables (like corn on the cob), or sauteing a variety of veggies in a skillet. The refreshing flavors are really great during the spring and summer months.

collage of images showing cilantro lime butter being made

Table of Contents

CILANTRO LIME COMPOUND BUTTER INGREDIENTS

You may have all of these ingredients for this simple recipe in your refrigerator or pantry and not need to make a trip to the grocery store! If this is your first time making this delicious recipe you might want to read the possible variations before deciding on your ingredients.

Butter: We are using salted, but if you prefer to use unsalted butter you may want to add salt before refrigerating.
Lime Juice: Fresh lime juice is best, but you can always use store bought if needed.
Fresh Cilantro: If you really are a cilantro fan you can use more than what is called for in the recipe card.

ingredients need to make cilantro butter

POSSIBLE VARIATIONS

Try these possible variations of this cilantro lime butter recipe.

MAKE IT SPICY

Add a few red pepper flakes or a dash of cayenne pepper to turn up the heat.

GARLIC HERB

Skip the lime juice and add in basil, garlic, and oregano or use an Italian seasoning blend.

LEMON HERB

Substitute lemon for the lime and add additional herbs.

MAKE IT CHEESY

Add parmesan, cotija cheese, or blue cheese.

cilantro lime butter being melted on a piece of chicken

SERVING SUGGESTIONS

Enjoy this great recipe as an addition to a tasty meal, special family dinner or dinner party with these other recipes:

Chipotle Chicken Burrito Bowls– A simple lunch (or dinner) dish that is also great for meal prepping.
Chipotle Chicken Sheet Pan Fajitas – Making fajitas on a sheet pan is one of the easiest ways to make dinner!
Crock Pot Chipotle Chicken Tacos – Easy chicken tacos with the perfect amount of spice? Yes, please!

Essential

TOOLS AND SUPPLIES

Prepare your work surface and gather these kitchen tools and supplies before you begin this delicious, easy-to-make recipe so you don’t waste extra time trying to find things you need.

sharp knife
juicer (optional)
food processor or blender

a slice of cilantro lime butter melting on sliced chicken breast next to a lime half

INSTRUCTIONS

Follow the full instructions and kitchen tips and quick tips for the best way to make this recipe. Don’t forget to check the prep time and cook time in the recipe card below before you begin.

COMBINE: Add the softened salted butter, lime juice, and cilantro into the food processor or high speed blender.

BLEND: Pulse until the butter is smooth and totally blended.

KITCHEN TIP

Make sure you allow a little time for the butter to soften before blending it.

mixing cilantro lime rice ingredients in a bowl

REFRIGERATE: Take the cilantro butter out of the food processor and let it chill in the fridge for at least 10 minutes.

cylinder of cilantro lime rice in plastic wrap

KITCHEN TIP

If your butter is too liquidy to shape after you’ve combined with cilantro and lime, put in the refrigerator to harden a little bit.

MOLD INTO CYLINDER: After removing the butter from the food processor, you can mold the butter into a cylinder with plastic wrap or wax paper. Once it’s hardened in the refrigerator you can slice it into nice round patties.

cilantro lime butter being cut into slices

put butter on top of hot chicken or meat

STORAGE TIPS

Storing your food properly is important to prevent spoiling or food poisoning.

Refrigerate: Store in an airtight container or ziploc bag and refrigerate for up to 5 days.

Freeze: Store in an airtight, freezer safe, container. If you’re storing in a zip top plastic bag, try to get as much air out as possible. Freeze for up to 1 month.

Defrosting: Allow the butter to sit out on the counter for 15-20 minutes before using.

Chipotle Chicken Burrito Bowl

Pin Recipe

Juicy, delicious chipotle marinated chicken pan seared in a skillet and topped with cilantro lime butter. These chicken breasts will become a family favorite. Serve them in a rice bowl, taco, with vegetable sides or make them into burritos. There's no wrong way to eat this chicken.

22 minutes

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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Click the questions to see the answer.

What is compound butter?

Compound butter is butter that is softened, then creamed together with other ingredients such as herbs, spices, lemon, lime, and olive oil.

butter, cilantro, lime

5 from 3 votes