What is Truffle Butter?

Truffles are often associated with luxury in the culinary world, whether you're referring to the indulgent chocolate treats or the rare mushroom-like fungus found underground. Both white and black truffles are considered some of the most exquisite — and costly — ingredients available. While fresh truffles are frequently shaved over dishes like pasta, they also find their way into delicious creations like truffle butter.

What’s Inside Truffle Butter?

To make the most of every part of the truffle, small pieces left after the truffle is processed are often used to create truffle butter. These truffle fragments are mixed with softened butter, sometimes with added salt or other ingredients, to create a flavorful truffle-infused compound butter. Some varieties also include truffle oil, which is made by infusing oil with truffle pieces to deepen the taste.

Unfortunately, some producers cut corners by adding artificial truffle flavoring to their butter, making it more affordable but resulting in an unpleasant, synthetic taste that can be described as plastic-like or earthy. To ensure you're getting the real deal, always check the ingredients for any artificial additives.

What Does Truffle Butter Taste Like?

Truffles are renowned for their deep, earthy aroma and flavor, which blends beautifully with the rich, creamy taste of butter in truffle butter. Typically made with black summer truffles, which are more affordable and intensely flavorful, truffle butter offers a robust, mushroom-like taste packed with savory umami. It's often used to enhance steak, but it can elevate a wide variety of dishes with its luxurious, savory flavor.

How to Make Truffle Butter

If you have leftover black truffles or small fragments from other recipes, it’s the perfect opportunity to craft your own truffle butter.

1. Begin by softening two sticks of unsalted butter. Once the butter is soft, place it in the bowl of a food processor or stand mixer.
2. Finely mince a tablespoon of black truffles and add it to the butter, adjusting the amount to suit your taste. For a more intense flavor, you can also add a tablespoon of truffle oil.
3. Add a generous pinch of salt, then blend or mix until everything is well combined.
4. Split the mixture into two portions and shape each into a rough log on a large sheet of plastic wrap.
5. Use the edge of the plastic wrap to help mold the butter into a more defined log shape, pressing gently with a bench scraper or the back of a knife.
6. Once the log is formed, wrap it tightly in the plastic and tie off the ends. Refrigerate until the butter firms up, then slice into rounds as needed.

You can also try adding extra flavors like a teaspoon of finely chopped herbs such as rosemary, sage, or thyme. A few cracks of freshly ground black pepper can also enhance the taste.

How to Use Truffle Butter

Truffle butter is an excellent alternative when you're craving truffle flavor but don't have the budget for fresh truffles. It’s also a great way to add depth to a dish if you're planning to top it with shaved truffles, allowing you to get that truffle taste without needing a lot of the expensive ingredient.

If you enjoy the flavor, incorporate truffle butter into recipes that already use butter as a key ingredient, such as mashed potatoes or a pan sauce. It’s also a fantastic complement to creamy mushroom risotto or pasta. Embrace the earthy essence of truffles by pairing them with foods that highlight their rich, nutty notes—think hearty grains, perfectly seared meats, or robust herbs like rosemary.

For an impressive roast chicken, spread truffle butter under and over the skin before roasting. This will create a dish that will be the talk of the table. Alternatively, spread a generous amount on warm bread, sprinkle with flaky salt, and enjoy the full range of truffle flavors.