Looking to add a kick of flavor to your next meal? Look no further than Cajun butter! This versatile condiment elevates everything from seafood and vegetables to popcorn and mashed potatoes.

Cajun spiced butter — Cajun Butter – Cajun Butter (2)

Spicy Compound Butter

Cajun butter is a zesty blend of softened butter with Cajun seasonings, perfect for adding flavor to meats, veggies, and bread recipes

This condiment adds a burst of spicy, savory, buttery goodness to a wide range of dishes. This butter is popular for basting grilled meats and vegetables, creating a flavorful crust and keeping the food moist.

Whether you’re indulging in classic Cajun dishes like gumbo, jambalaya, or étouffée, or simply looking to spice up your grilling game, Cajun butter is the secret ingredient that elevates your dishes to a whole new level.

What is Cajun Butter?

Cajun butter is a flavored butter made with a blend of Cajun spices. The base is typically softened butter, which is then mixed with ingredients like garlic, paprika, cajun seasoning, and herbs like parsley or thyme. The result is a rich and spicy spread that adds a whole new dimension to your food.

What you’ll love about this recipe

Simple to Make: This recipe requires minimal ingredients and prep time, making it perfect for busy weeknight meals.
Incredibly Versatile: Can be used on a wide variety of dishes, adding a burst of flavor to vegetables, seafood, meats, pasta, and even popcorn!
Customizable: You can adjust the spice level to your liking and experiment with different herbs and spices to create your own unique flavor profile.
Budget-Friendly: Made with pantry staples, which makes it a cost-effective way to elevate your meals.

Why Make Homemade?

Making your own Cajun Butter at home allows you to control the quality of ingredients and adjust the spice level to your liking. Plus, it’s easy to make and can be stored for future use!

Ingredients For Making Cajun Butter

Butter: unsalted butter is often used to control saltiness with seasonings.
Cajun seasoning: for spicy kick.
Fresh lemon juice and hot sauce: for added heat.
Garlic: adds a spicy and aromatic flavor to butter, which is then sautéed to release its flavors.
Worcestershire sauce: provides a savory, umami-rich flavor that complements the other spices.
Paprika: to add color and mild smoky flavor.
Salt: to enhance the flavor.
Fresh parsley: provides a refreshing complement to the recipe.

If you don’t have Cajun seasoning, you can create your own blend using paprika, cayenne pepper, thyme, garlic powder, and onion powder.

How to make Cajun Butter

Start by placing the room-temperature unsalted butter into a medium bowl.
Add your Cajun seasoning, fresh lemon juice, minced garlic, Worcestershire sauce, hot sauce, smoked paprika, and a pinch of salt to the bowl.
Use a fork or an electric mixer to whip all the ingredients together until you achieve a smooth and thoroughly combined mixture.
Stir in the freshly chopped parsley. Taste the butter and adjust the seasoning to your preference.
You can then store it in an airtight container, refrigerate it for later use, or serve it immediately.
Enjoy your homemade Cajun butter with your favorite dishes.

Variations

The beauty of Cajun butter is its adaptability. Feel free to experiment with different spice combinations to create your own signature blend. Here are some ideas to get you started:

Garlic Herb: Add a tablespoon of chopped fresh parsley and chives for a more herbaceous flavor.
Lemon: Zest and juice of half a lemon adds a bright, citrusy note.
Spicy: Kick up the heat with an extra pinch of cayenne pepper or a few dashes of hot sauce.
Smoky: Add a teaspoon of smoked paprika for a smoky depth of flavor.

Homemade Compound Cajun butter — Cajun Butter – Cajun Butter

How to store Cajun butter

Store it in the refrigerator for up to two weeks.
Label the container with the contents and date to track freshness.
Use it quickly within this timeframe to enjoy its full flavor.
If you need to store it for an extended period, freeze it for up to three to six months.
Thaw frozen Cajun butter overnight. Avoid the use of microwave.
Before you use it check for spoilage. If butter separates, mix it before use.
Store it in an airtight container.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I make Cajun butter ahead of time?

You can prepare Cajun butter in advance and store it in the refrigerator for up to two weeks or freeze it for extended storage.

Is Cajun butter the same as compound butter?

Cajun butter is a type of compound butter. It combines butter with seasonings, but it primarily features Cajun-inspired spices and herbs.

Can I use salted butter instead of unsalted butter?

Yes, you can use salted butter in a pinch. However, keep in mind that Cajun seasoning often contains salt. Be sure to taste the butter before adding any additional salt, as you might find it salty enough already.

My Cajun seasoning is really spicy. How can I adjust the heat level?

There are a couple of ways to tame the heat in your compound butter. First, start by adding less Cajun seasoning than the recipe calls for. You can always add more to taste later. Second, omit the cayenne pepper from your homemade Cajun seasoning blend or reduce the amount.

What if I don’t have fresh herbs? Can I use dried herbs instead?

Absolutely! Dried herbs will work just fine in Cajun butter. As a general rule, use about 1/3 of the amount of dried herbs compared to fresh herbs called for in the recipe. So, for 1 tablespoon of fresh parsley, you would use about 1 teaspoon of dried parsley.

How long can I store leftover Cajun butter?

Homemade Cajun butter can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks. It will also keep for up to 3 months in the freezer.

I don’t see Cajun seasoning at the store. Can I still make Cajun butter?

Of course! The beauty of Cajun butter is its customizability. The blog post includes a recipe for a basic Cajun seasoning blend that you can easily whip up at home using common spices.

Tips

Using fresh herbs and spices, such as minced garlic and finely chopped parsley, in Cajun butter can significantly enhance its flavor.
Avoid overheating the butter when reheating dishes. It can separate and should be melted gently to prevent separation.
For a richer flavor, use high-quality unsalted butter.
Store leftover butter in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks.

How to Use Cajun Butter

Here are just a few ways to incorporate this flavorful spread into your meals:

Seafood: Brush over shrimp, catfish, salmon, and grilled chicken before grilling, baking, or broiling.
Vegetables: Melt Cajun butter over steamed or roasted vegetables for an extra layer of flavor.
Steak: Top a cooked steak with a pat of Cajun butter for a decadent and flavorful finish.
potatoes: Mashed potatoes, baked potatoes, or potato wedges take on a whole new level of deliciousness with a drizzle of Cajun butter.
pasta salad: Toss cooked pasta with Cajun butter and grated Parmesan cheese for a quick and flavorful side dish.

Other Butter Recipes

Cajun Butter

Premium Cajun butter offers a delightful blend of rich butter and zesty Cajun spices. Use it as a marinade for shrimp, chicken, or fish, brushed onto grilled corn on the cob, or drizzled over steamed vegetables for a spicy kick and irresistible flavor.

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Prep Time: 10

Servings: cup

Calories: 1670.3kcal

Ingredients

1 cup unsalted butter room temperature
1 tablespoon Cajun seasoning
1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
2 teaspoons minced garlic
1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
1 teaspoon hot sauce adjust to taste
1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
Salt to taste
2 tablespoons fresh parsley finely chopped

Instructions

Start by placing the room-temperature unsalted butter into a medium bowl.
Add your Cajun seasoning, fresh lemon juice, minced garlic, Worcestershire sauce, hot sauce, smoked paprika, and a pinch of salt to the bowl.
Use a fork or an electric mixer to whip all the ingredients together until you achieve a smooth and fully combined mixture.
Stir in the freshly chopped parsley.
Taste your Cajun butter, and if necessary, adjust the seasoning to suit your preference.
You can then store it in an airtight container and refrigerate it for later use or serve it immediately.
Enjoy your homemade Cajun butter with your favorite dishes.

Notes

Using fresh herbs and spices, such as minced garlic and finely chopped parsley, in Cajun butter can significantly enhance its flavor.
Avoid overheating Cajun butter when reheating dishes; it can separate and should be melted gently to prevent separation.

Nutrition

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