How to Make Drawn Butter: A Simple Guide

Butter makes everything taste better! It’s hard not to agree with this statement, whether you’re a foodie or not. It’s the perfect ingredient for just about any dish. And what could be better than butter? Drawn butter! This luxurious, clarified butter is the perfect complement to seafood, lobster, crab, veggies and more! So, how do you make it? Well, it’s a lot easier than you might think.

Drawn butter, or clarified butter, is a process of removing the milk fat and any impurities or water in regular butter. This creates a smooth, golden liquid that’s perfect for dipping or drizzling. To make drawn butter at home, all you’ll need is unsalted butter and a saucepan. It’s simple, easy, and can be done in just a few minutes. Follow these simple steps, and you’ll be on your way to the perfect buttery goodness in no time!

Once you’ve decided to make drawn butter, the next step is to get started. Here is a detailed guide with step-by-step instructions on how to make drawn butter.

Gather Your Ingredients

The first step is to gather all the necessary ingredients. For this recipe, you will need one stick of unsalted butter and a heavy saucepan.

Melt the Butter

Next, begin to melt the butter in the heavy saucepan over low to medium heat. Be careful not to let the butter boil or brown – you want it to melt slowly and evenly.

Skim the Foam

As the butter melts, a foam may begin to form on the surface. With a large spoon or skimmer, skim off the foam and discard it. This will remove any impurities that may be in the butter.

Remove From Heat

After the foam has been removed, allow the butter to continue to melt until it turns a pale yellow color and the solids have settled to the bottom of the pan. This process should take about 10-15 minutes.

Strain the Butter

Once the butter has melted completely, you can strain it through a fine-mesh sieve or cheesecloth to remove any remaining solids. This will give you a clear, golden liquid that is free from impurities.

Cool the Butter

After straining, allow the butter to cool slightly before transferring it to a container. You can use a measuring cup or a butter dish, but make sure it has a lid to keep the butter fresh. Let the drawn butter cool completely before covering the container with the lid.

Reheat the drawn butter

When you’re ready to use the drawn butter, simply reheat it gently in a saucepan or in the microwave. Be sure to stir it frequently, to ensure it heats evenly and doesn’t burn.

Add Seasonings

Drawn butter is delicious as is, but you can also add some seasonings to give it an extra burst of flavor. Try adding minced garlic, lemon zest, or chopped fresh herbs like thyme, rosemary, or parsley.

Use Drawn Butter in Recipes

Drawn butter is a versatile ingredient that can be used in a variety of recipes. Try using it as a dipping sauce for seafood, drizzling it over cooked vegetables, or using it as a base for sauce for pasta dishes.

Store the Drawn Butter in Freezer

If you have leftover drawn butter, you can store it in the freezer for up to three months. Make sure it is stored in an airtight container and thaw it in the refrigerator before reheating.

Now that you know how to make delicious drawn butter, you can impress your friends and family with your culinary skills. Enjoy!

Ingredients for Making Drawn Butter

Before you start making drawn butter, it’s essential to have all the ingredients you need. Here’s a list of items you need to prepare:

1. Unsalted butter: The best butter to use for making drawn butter is unsalted butter. You’ll need a stick or two depending on how much drawn butter you want to make.

2. Saucepan or pot: You’ll need a saucepan or pot for melting the butter. A heavy-bottomed stainless steel or non-stick saucepan will work well.

3. Sieve or cheesecloth: Once melted, you’ll need to strain the butter through a sieve or cheesecloth to remove the milk solids.

4. Bowl or container: You’ll also need a bowl or container to collect the drawn butter.

5. Flavors: If you want to add any flavors to your drawn butter, such as garlic, lemon, or herbs, make sure you have them on hand.

Steps for Making Drawn Butter

Now that you have all the ingredients and equipment ready let’s dive into the steps for making drawn butter:

1. Cut the butter: Cut the unsalted butter into small chunks before placing them in the saucepan.

2. Melt the butter: Melt the butter over low heat, stirring occasionally to ensure that it doesn’t burn. Once melted, turn off the heat.

3. Skim: Use a spoon or ladle to skim off the foam or milk solids that float to the top.

4. Strain: Pour the drawn butter through a sieve or cheesecloth to remove the remaining milk solids and any impurities.

5. Add flavors (optional): If you want to add flavors to the drawn butter, now is the time to do it. Add minced garlic, lemon zest, or fresh herbs and stir well.

6. Store: Pour the drawn butter into a container or bowl and store it in the refrigerator until ready to use.

7. Reheat: To reheat the drawn butter, place it in a microwave-safe dish and heat it in 10-second intervals, stir well between each interval.

Tips for Making Perfect Drawn Butter

Making drawn butter is a straightforward process, but a few tips can help you make it perfectly:

1. Use unsalted butter: Unsalted butter gives you more control over the saltiness of the drawn butter. You can always add salt later, depending on your taste preference.

2. Use a heavy-bottomed pan: A heavy-bottomed stainless steel or non-stick saucepan will help prevent the butter from burning.

3. Low heat is key: Melt the butter over low heat to prevent it from burning.

4. Skim off foam: Skim the foam that floats to the top of the melted butter to remove any impurities.

5. Strain the butter: Straining the butter will ensure that it’s smooth and free of milk solids.

6. Use a sieve or cheesecloth: Use a sieve or cheesecloth to strain the butter, which will help you achieve a smooth texture.

7. Add flavors in moderation: Adding too many flavors can overpower the taste of the drawn butter. Add flavors like minced garlic or fresh herbs in moderation, with discretion.

8. Store in the refrigerator: Store the drawn butter in the refrigerator until ready to use as it can spoil if left at room temperature for a long time.

9. Reheat gently: When reheating the drawn butter, do it gently in short intervals.

10. Adjust salt: Lastly, taste the drawn butter before using it, and adjust the salt if necessary. Remember, unsalted butter may require more salt than salted butter.

Clarified Butter vs Drawn Butter

There seems to be some confusion between clarified butter and drawn butter. While both are made from regular unsalted butter, they differ in the method used to extract the butterfat. As we mentioned earlier, drawn butter is made by melting the butter and “drawing” out the milk solids and water. Clarified butter, on the other hand, is made by heating the butter to evaporate the water and separate the milk solids, which are then skimmed off the top.

Pros and Cons of Drawn Butter

Drawn butter is a classic accompaniment to seafood, especially with dishes like lobster and crab legs. It has a rich, full flavor that complements the delicate sweetness of shellfish. Below are some of the pros and cons of using drawn butter:

Pros

1. It has a rich, nutty flavor that enhances the natural sweetness of seafood.
2. It’s easy to make and requires only one ingredient – butter.
3. It has a smooth, velvety texture that melts in your mouth.

Cons

1. It has a low smoke point, which means it can burn easily if heated too high.
2. It contains milk solids and water, which can make it prone to spoilage if not refrigerated properly.
3. It’s high in saturated fat and calories, which can be a concern for those watching their intake.

How to Store Drawn Butter

Since drawn butter contains milk solids and water, it’s important to store it properly to prevent spoilage. Ideally, you should store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks. If you want to extend the shelf life, you can freeze it in a sealed container for up to 6 months. Make sure to label the container with the date so you can keep track of how long it’s been stored.

Uses for Drawn Butter

Besides serving as a dipping sauce for seafood, drawn butter has a variety of other culinary uses. Here are a few ideas:

Basting for Grilled or Roasted Seafood

Brush drawn butter over grilled or roasted seafood while it cooks to add flavor and prevent it from drying out.

Drizzle over Vegetables

Melted drawn butter adds richness and flavor to steamed or roasted vegetables, such as carrots, asparagus, or broccoli.

Toss with Pasta

Toss hot cooked pasta with drawn butter and grated Parmesan cheese for a simple yet indulgent pasta dish.

Make a Compound Butter

Mix drawn butter with your favorite herbs, spices, or citrus zest to create a compound butter that can be used to flavor meat, vegetables, or bread.

Cheers To Delicious Drawn Butter!

Now that you know how to make the perfect batch of drawn butter, there’s no need to feel intimidated in the kitchen! Pour that golden goodness over your favorite seafood dishes, turn up the music, and enjoy an unforgettable feast. Thanks for joining us on this journey of culinary exploration, we hope you had fun! Be sure to visit us again soon, because we’ve got plenty more recipes and tips up our sleeves. Bon Appétit!