Make this fresh herb garden butter recipe with edible flower petals, creamy butter, herbs, and optional garlic and lemon zest for an elegant spread.
Fresh, colorful, and filled with garden flavor, this Fresh Herb Garden Butter Recipe With Edible Flower Petals combines creamy butter, fragrant herbs, and delicate edible blossoms. It is a simple compound butter that looks elegant enough for entertaining, homemade gifts, and special occasions.
Fresh parsley, chives, thyme, dill, and basil are all excellent choices. Use one favorite herb or combine several to complement the foods you plan to serve. Optional garlic adds savory depth, while lemon zest gives the butter a bright, citrusy finish.
Certified edible pansies, nasturtiums, chive blossoms, violas, and calendula add beautiful natural color. Folding some petals into the butter and pressing the rest onto the outside creates an eye-catching presentation.
Serve this fresh herb garden butter with bread, dinner rolls, grilled corn, roasted vegetables, baked potatoes, seafood, chicken, or steak. It can be made ahead, refrigerated until needed, and sliced into attractive rounds before serving.
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Chill Time: 1 hour
Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
Yield: 1 butter log
Ingredients
2 sticks unsalted butter, softened to room temperature
1/4 to 1/2 cup fresh herbs, finely chopped, such as parsley, chives, thyme, dill, or basil
1/4 to 1/2 cup edible flower petals, gently rinsed and dried, such as pansies, nasturtiums, chive blossoms, violas, or calendula
1/2 teaspoon flaky sea salt, or to taste
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper, or to taste
1 clove garlic, minced, optional
1 teaspoon lemon zest, optional
Directions
Step 1: Soften the Butter
Allow the butter to sit at room temperature until it is soft and easy to mix.
Do not melt the butter. It should remain thick and creamy so it can be shaped into a log.
Step 2: Prepare the Herbs and Flowers
Finely chop the fresh herbs. Carefully remove the petals from the edible flowers, discarding the stems and green portions. Gently rinse the petals if needed and pat them completely dry with a paper towel.
Step 3: Season the Butter
Place the softened butter in a medium mixing bowl. Add the chopped herbs, flaky sea salt, and black pepper. Add the minced garlic and lemon zest if using.
Mix with a spoon, fork, or spatula until the herbs and seasonings are evenly distributed throughout the butter.
Step 4: Fold in the Flower Petals
Reserve a small portion of the flower petals for decorating the finished butter. Gently fold the remaining petals into the butter mixture, taking care not to crush them.
Step 5: Shape the Butter
Transfer the butter mixture to a sheet of parchment paper or plastic wrap.
Use the paper or wrap to roll and shape the butter into an even log.
For a butter board presentation, transfer the mixture to a decorative serving dish instead of shaping it into a log.
Step 6: Decorate the Butter
Gently press the reserved flower petals onto the outside of the butter log.
If using a serving dish, arrange the petals attractively across the top of the butter.
Step 7: Chill the Butter
Wrap the butter log tightly and refrigerate it for at least 1 hour, or until firm. Chilling allows the flavors to blend and makes the butter easier to slice.
Step 8: Serve
Slice the chilled butter into rounds or allow it to soften slightly before serving. Enjoy it with fresh bread, dinner rolls, grilled corn, roasted vegetables, baked potatoes, seafood, chicken, or steak.
Notes
Only use flowers that are positively identified, certified edible, and free from pesticides and other chemical treatments. Flowers sold for bouquets or decorative gardening may not be safe to eat.
Make sure the rinsed herbs and flower petals are completely dry before adding them to the butter. Excess moisture can affect the texture and storage quality.
Parsley, chives, dill, thyme, and basil are excellent herb choices. Use one variety or create a combination that suits the foods you plan to serve.
For brighter citrus flavor, increase the lemon zest slightly.
For a stronger garlic flavor, add one additional minced garlic clove.
Store the garden butter tightly wrapped in the refrigerator for up to 1 week.
For longer storage, freeze the tightly wrapped butter for up to 3 months. Thaw it overnight in the refrigerator before serving.
For gifting, wrap the chilled butter log in parchment paper and secure it with kitchen twine. Keep the butter refrigerated and include storage instructions for the recipient.