This versatile lemon parsley butter is so easy to make and adds incredible flavor to your favorite meat, fish, shrimp or pasta.

Our incredibly yummy lemon butter is bursting with fresh lemon and herb flavor. It is super versatile and can be used on meat, fish, shrimp and pasta. You can even use it to flavor vegetables like asparagus and green beans or spread it on dinner rolls.

Table of Contents

The best part about this flavorsome compound butter is how easy and quick it comes together. You can easily prepare it ahead of time as it keeps well in the fridge for 5 days or in the freezer for up to a month.

sliced lemon parsley butter on a wooden board with fresh parsley and lemons

WAYS TO USE LEMON BUTTER

This wonderfully fresh tasting lemon parsley butter is really versatile and can be added to all kinds of dishes. Here are some of our favorite foods to use this lemon butter on:

FISH – Use lemon butter on our pan seared tilapia or place a disk of this delicious butter on your favorite kind of fish.
SHRIMP – Preheat a skillet to medium-high, add 2 tablespoons of lemon parsley butter and once the butter is melted, add 1 lb of raw (peeled and deveined) shrimp. Cook for 2-3 minutes on each side until cooked.
CHICKEN – Add a slice of lemon butter to your favorite grilled, air fried or oven roasted chicken.
STEAK – Top your favorite steak with some lemon butter to add some amazing flavor to your meat.
PASTA — Add a round of lemon parsley butter to 8 oz of spaghetti noodles in a skillet and toss together. Top with parmesan cheese and you have quick and tasty lunch.

POSSIBLE VARIATIONS

CILANTRO LIME BUTTER – With just three simple ingredients, this flavorful herb butter adds a fresh and zesty flavor to meat, fish and shrimp.
GARLIC BUTTER – If you are a big fan of garlic, you can add some finely minced garlic to our recipe or make your own version of garlic butter.
OTHER HERBS – You can add your favorite herbs instead of parsley to create your own compound butter flavor. Try a mixture of different kinds of herbs.

Cilantro Lime Butter

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

Check out this recipe

LEMON BUTTER INGREDIENTS

You may have all of these lemon parsley butter ingredients in your refrigerator or pantry and not need to make a trip to the grocery store. See recipe card below for ingredient amounts.

Salted Butter: We are using salted butter for this recipe, but if you only have unsalted butter at home you may want to add some salt to taste.
Lemon Zest: For best results use fresh and bright yellow lemons. Make sure you only use the yellow part of the lemon peel and not the white one. The white part, also called pith, tastes bitter and might ruin the flavor of your lemon quick bread.
Lemon Juice: For best flavor use freshly squeezed lemon juice.
Fresh Parsley

SERVING SUGGESTIONS

Enjoy this great recipe as a great addition to a full meal with these other recipes:

PAN SEARED TILAPIA WITH LEMON BUTTER – Crispy on the outside and flaky in the middle, this perfectly flavored white fish comes together in only 15 minutes.
PAN SEARED CHIPOTLE CHICKEN – This boldly flavored chicken marinade is the perfect combination of Mexican flavors with just the right amount of heat.
FRENCH BREAD – This quick and easy recipe uses store-bought French bread and you can even add some cheesy flavor by adding Parmesan cheese.

INSTRUCTIONS

If you’d like to print this recipe, scroll down to the recipe card where you can print the recipe or have it scaled to double or triple. You’ll also find nutrition information.

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TOOLS AND SUPPLIES NEEDED:

food processor
spoon or spatula
plastic wrap or parchment paper

COMBINE INGREDIENTS: In a food processor, pulse all ingredients until blended. Alternatively, you can also use a hand mixer or a spatula to combine your lemon butter ingredients.

KITCHEN TIP

If you don’t own a lemon zester, you can also use the fine side of a box grater to rub off the lemon zest or a vegetable peeler. First, peel off very thin slices of lemon peel (avoid the white part) and then chop the lemon peel finely on a cutting board with a knife.

SHAPE BUTTER: Scoop butter mixture onto plastic wrap or parchment paper and form into a cylinder.

KITCHEN TIP

If your butter is too soft and messy to shape at this stage, put it in the refrigerator to harden a bit.

COVER IN PLASTIC WRAP: Wrap with plastic wrap. Refrigerate to firm up.

tilapia with butter. — Lemon Butter on our Pan Seared Tilapia

butter on chicken. — Lemon Butter on our Pan Seared Tilapia

SERVE: When needed, remove from the refrigerator and slice into rounds.

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. We recommend slicing the lemon herb butter into disks after it has firmed up in the fridge. Individually wrap each disk in plastic wrap or put little squares of parchment paper between the slices to keep them from sticking together. You can now easily remove individual portions as needed. Freeze for up to 1 month.

Defrosting: Allow the butter to sit out on the counter for a couple of minutes before using.

RELATED RECIPES

While we love this easy lemon butter we also love some of these other recipes and think you will as well.

CILANTRO LIME BUTTER – With just three simple ingredients, this flavorful herb butter adds a fresh and zesty flavor to meat, fish and shrimp.
AIR FRYER SALMON – This immensely flavorful salmon is marinated with lemon, garlic and Italian herbs and cooked to perfection in the air fryer.
PAN SEARED TILAPIA WITH LEMON BUTTER – Crispy on the outside and flaky in the middle, this perfectly flavored white fish comes together in only 15 minutes.
PAN SEARED CHIPOTLE CHICKEN – This boldly flavored chicken marinade is the perfect combination of Mexican flavors with just the right amount of heat.
COPYCAT LION HOUSE ROLLS – Fluffy, golden and delicious, these amazing dinner rolls will be a huge hit with your family.
50 LEMON RECIPES –

Chipotle Chicken Burrito Bowl

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.

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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

What is compound butter?

Compound butter is softened butter that is creamed together with other ingredients such as herbs, spices, lemon, lime, or garlic.

Can I freeze lemon parsley butter?

Yes. We recommend slicing the lemon herb butter into disks after it has firmed up in the fridge. Individually wrap each disk in plastic wrap or put little squares of parchment paper between the slices to keep them from sticking together. Freeze them in an airtight container or ziplock freezer bag. You can now easily remove individual portions as needed.

Can I make lemon butter without a food processor?

Of course! Make sure your butter is softened before you start making the lemon butter. Add butter to a mixing bowl and beat with a hand mixer until light and fluffy. Add your seasonings and mix until well combined. Shape and chill your compound butter.
You can even whip up your butter by hand using a spatula or whisk, then stir in the flavorings. Shape and chill.

Recipe Keyword Tags:

butter

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Lemon Butter

Author Andrea + Stef

Course condiment, recipe staple

Cuisine American, Italian, vegetarian

Prep Time 10

16 servings

This versatile lemon parsley butter is so easy to make and adds incredible flavor to your favorite meat, fish, shrimp or pasta.

Equipment

Food Processor
spoon or spatula
plastic wrap or parchment paper

Ingredients

▢ ½ cup salted butter softened
▢ 1 tablespoon lemon zest
▢ 1 teaspoon lemon juice
▢ 2 tbsp fresh parsley chopped

Instructions

In a food processor, pulse all ingredients until blended.
Scoop butter mixture onto plastic wrap and form into a cylinder.
Wrap with plastic wrap. Refrigerate to firm up.
When needed, remove from the refrigerator and slice into rounds.

Notes

If your butter is too soft and messy to shape after adding the flavorings, put it in the refrigerator to harden a bit.

Nutrition

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