Whipped Butter with Lemon

Name: Whipped Butter with Lemon
Prep time: 2 min
Cook time: 3 min
Total time: 5 min
Ingredients: ⅓ cup salted butter (⅓ melted, ⅔ solid and cut in pieces); 1 Tbsp lemon juice (freshly squeezed, according to taste (optional)); ¼ tsp salt (according to taste (optional)); sea salt flakes* (to serve (optional))

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5 minutes & 1 ingredient is all you really need to make an amazing whipped butter. Add some salt and lemon juice and your have an elegant version you'll be coming back to over and over again. Spread it on bread, dip artichokes in it, or melt on top of fish or meat - either way, this butter is a winner.

side top view of whipped lemon butter in a rectangular bowl with a lemon slice and lemons in the background

You may be able to tell by the name of this blog that I love butter. And there's one type of butter I love more than any other kind - whipped butter.

This version with lemon and sea salt is a version I've been making for years - and it's just as delicious as a sauce for meat, fish or veggies as it is spread on a piece of bread.

Many versions use milk or cream in place of melted butter - but I prefer to do an all-butter whipped butter. It provides maximum taste, the best consistency - and melts the best on top of your steak.

Why you will love this recipe

Quick & easy to make - just 5 minutes and no chopping
Just 1 ingredient required - seasoning is optional
Super spreadable - and perfect on top of a piece of bread
Perfectly melting - and delicious melting over fish, meat and baked potatoes
Lighter than regular butter thanks to the whipping and added acidity
Great balanced taste with the acidity from the lemon balancing the heaviness of the butter - not to mention the crisp saltiness from the sea salt flakes...

What you need to make it

ingredients needed to make whipped butter with lemon

Ingredient notes & substitutions

Butter is the only required ingredient for this recipe. I always use salted butter, if you're using unsalted I recommend adding at least a pinch of salt as well.
Melted butter can be swapped for olive oil, coconut oil, milk, heavy cream or even water, but the texture and melting properties will change a bit
Salt can be skipped, and any type can be used
Fresh lemon juice can be skipped or switched for another seasoning - but if you're using lemon juice, it needs to be fresh pressed

How to make it

collage showing how to make whipped lemon butter

Place melted butter and a few of the solid butter pieces in a food processor, or in a bowl with high sides. Mix.
When the solid pieces have been entirely merged with the melted butter, add a few more. Keep doing this until you've added all of the butter.
When the consistency is smooth and even, pour in the lemon juice
Then add salt
Mix to combine, then taste test and adjust seasoning as desired. Serve in one communal dish or in individual dishes for your guests, and top with sea salt flakes before serving.

Tips & tricks

Use a food processor if you can, to minimize splatter
Avoid splatter if using a mixer or immersion blender by using bowl with high sides and placing it in the sink
Is your whipped butter too thin? Add more solid butter.
Is your whipped butter too thick? Add a dash of water.
Taste test and season to your liking - add more or less salt, lemon or other seasonings as desired
Store in room temperature for a few hours - to keep the consistency the same
Store in the fridge for up to 2 weeks - the butter will revert to the hard butter consistency, but if you take it out 30 minutes before using it will soften again. And while it won't be as fluffy as it once was, the flavor will still be amazing.
Freeze leftovers to keep them for up to 3 months - make a roll of butter and wrap it in parchment paper, then freeze this roll in a plastic bag

side view of whipped lemon butter with a lemon slice in a white rectangular bowl, with lemons in the background

Recipe FAQ

What is the difference between whipped butter and regular butter?

Whipped butter is made by whipping solid butter with something liquid - melted butter, milk, cream, oil or water. This makes it fluffier, airier, and more spreadable than regular butter.

Does whipped butter need to be refrigerated?

If keeping whipped butter for more than a few hours, I recommend storing it in the fridge. It can be fine in room temperature, depending on how warm your home is, but it's better to just take the safe route.

Can I substitute whipped butter for butter?

No, you can generally not do this as the amounts will be off - this is specially true for baking.

Other ways to season it

Herbs (dill, basil, rosemary... pro tip: match the seasoning of your food for a real flavor bomb!)
Garlic for a true classic
Capers - then skip the added salt
Browned butter instead of just melted butter.
Honey for a sweet treat

Any other amazing seasonings you can think of? Let me know in the comments below and I'll include it on the list!

an artichoke leaf being dipped into whipped lemon butter next to a whole artichoke

What to use it for

As a dip for artichokes
Instead of regular butter for corn on the cob or baked potatoes
Steamed, grilled or roasted veggies - broccoli and asparagus love it!
Fish - both white fish and fatty fishes like salmon
Seafood in general - lobster, crab, scallops, shrimp...
On top of a steak
With bread instead of regular butter, and you won't need any other topping. This is 100% how I use the leftovers, every single time...

top view of whipped lemon butter in a rectangular bowl with a lemon slice and lemons in the background

More quick & easy sauces & sides

Looking for some more sauces/sides to serve with your dinner? Then I think you will love these!

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...and let me know what you loved about it in the comments.