Brighten up any dish with this zesty Lemon Herb Butter. Whipped together with lemon zest, rosemary, parsley, and thyme, it brings a burst of vibrant flavor in just minutes.

A cylindrical roll of herb-infused butter is sliced on parchment paper with leon and thyme around it.

Compound butter is one of those kitchen tricks that makes you look like a seasoned chef with very little effort. You instantly upgrade ordinary recipes into something special by blending softened butter with fresh herbs, citrus, spices, or other flavors.

This lemon herb version is the perfect example! Just a few simple ingredients quickly folded together create a vibrant, flavorful compound butter to slather on everything.

Use it to brighten up roasted veggies, grilled proteins, breads—you name it! It's an easy, fun way to add fresh taste without much fuss. You should also try my garlic rosemary butter or pesto butter!

Plus, compound butter lasts for weeks in the fridge or freezer, so you can make a batch to have that bright lemon-herb flavor ready to go.

Ingredients and Substitutions

An assortment of ingredients on a marble surface includes labeled items with wooden spoons: thyme, lemon juice in a small bowl, lemon zest in a dish, rosemary, butter in a glass bowl, and parsley.

Looking for the full recipe? The recipe card at the bottom of this post includes the complete list of ingredients, measurements, and instructions.

Butter - Use your favorite quality store-bought butter, or level it up with homemade butter! If you are using unsalted butter, add ¼ teaspoon of salt to the recipe.

Lemons - I recommend freshly squeezed lemon juice for the best flavor. You'll need a lemon anyway for the lemon zest, which adds lots of lemon flavor without changing the consistency of the butter.

Herbs - Fresh rosemary and thyme naturally complement the lemon, and parsley adds freshness. You can substitute your favorite herbs, such as basil, oregano, or cilantro.

How to Make Lemon Compound Butter

Preparing compound butter couldn't be easier. You just put softened butter into a bowl with the other ingredients and mix it together.
If you are making one batch, mix it with a fork or rubber spatula. A hand mixer is easier for larger quantities.
Store the herb butter in a bowl or turn it onto parchment paper to make a log.

Two side-by-side images showing the butter, lemon zest, and herbs before and after mixing.

How to Use Lemon Butter

Grilled or Roasted Chicken: Place the lemon herb butter under the skin of chicken breasts or thighs before cooking.
Seafood: Melt over grilled or baked fish, shrimp, or scallops.
Steak: Add a dollop on top of a hot steak for extra flavor.
Vegetables: Toss with roasted or steamed vegetables like asparagus, green beans, or carrots, or brush onto vegetables before grilling.
Pasta: Stir into hot pasta for a simple, flavorful sauce.
Bread: Spread on warm bread, rolls, or baguettes.
Mashed Potatoes: Mix into mashed potatoes for a zesty twist.
Rice: Stir into cooked rice or quinoa.
Corn on the Cob: Slather on freshly cooked corn.
Sandwiches: Use as a spread for sandwiches or wraps.
Popcorn: Drizzle over popcorn for a savory snack.
Baked Potatoes: Top a baked potato with a generous pat of flavored butter.

Storage Guidelines

Compound butter is super easy to keep on hand. Just pack it into an airtight container, and they'll stay fresh in the fridge for up to two weeks.

If you want to stock up, you can freeze batches for up to 9 months!

For softened butter, you can simply take what you need from the refrigerator and let it sit at room temperature for 30-60 minutes. That will give you a perfectly soft, spreadable texture.

A small glass bowl filled with herb butter, featuring visible bits of herbs.

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