Quick Look: Smoked Butter
- Flavor: Rich, savory, lightly smoky
- Time: ~30 minutes
- Difficulty: Easy
- Best For: Steak, seafood, veggies, bread
- Why It Works: Adds deep smoky flavor with almost no effort
- Customize It: Garlic, herbs, honey, spices
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What Is Smoked Butter?
Smoked butter is butter that has been slowly infused with wood smoke at a low temperature, giving it a rich, slightly savory flavor. It can be used just like regular butter but adds a subtle smoky depth to both savory and even some sweet dishes.
Why We Love This Recipe
- We make all kinds of smoker recipes on our Traeger all summer long, and this easy smoked butter is one we come back to again and again. It’s the perfect finishing touch for a smoked steak, grilled steak, grilled crab legs, and smoked corned beef!.
- You can keep it simple or customize it with garlic and other flavor additions depending on what you’re serving. Either way, it’s an easy upgrade that adds incredible smoky flavor to just about anything.
What You Will Need
Be sure to see the recipe card below for a full listing of ingredients, instructions, and estimated nutritional information.
- butter – we love to cut our stick of butter into large chunks for nice, even melting.
- kosher salt – just a bit for some added seasoning.
- minced garlic – option to add as much or as little as you want!
- other optional add-ins: these include lemon zest, red pepper flakes, minced shallots and more!
How To Make Smoked Butter
Step 1: To begin this very easy butter recipe, you can add all of the ingredients to a medium or large cast iron skillet.
Step 2: Place the cast iron skillet on your smoker after preheating it to 180-200 degrees F.
Step 3: Close the lid and let it smoke for 15-35 minutes.
Step 4: Carefully remove the skillet from the smoker and use any way you want!
How Long to Smoke Butter
The amount of time you smoke butter will determine how strong the flavor is:
- 15–20 minutes → light smoke
- 25–30 minutes → medium smoke (recommended)
- 35–45 minutes → strong, bold smoke
Best Ways To Use Smoked Butter
Let us count the ways! What is smoked butter not delicious on!? Our favorite ways to enjoy it are drizzling over smoked corned beef and cabbage, cast iron flank steak, smoked prime rib, or even a little bit on some smoked hamburgers. It can also be used as a dip for your favorite seafoods, like baked crab legs or poached lobster! And let’s not forget the veggies like grilled sweet corn and grilled vegetables!
Best Wood for Smoking Butter
The type of wood you use will impact the flavor:
- Mesquite – bold (use lightly)
- Applewood – mild and slightly sweet
- Cherry – balanced and smooth
- Hickory – stronger, classic smoky flavor
How to Store
- Refrigerate up to 1 week
- Freeze for longer storage
- Reheat gently if needed
Easy Flavor Add-Ins for Smoked Butter
- Garlic – bold, savory depth
- Fresh herbs (parsley, thyme, rosemary) – bright, fresh flavor
- Lemon zest – light, citrusy balance
- Red pepper flakes – subtle heat
- Shallots – mild, slightly sweet onion flavor
💡 Pro Tip: Start with a small amount (a teaspoon or so – maybe less than that for the red pepper flakes), mix, and taste—smoked butter is already rich and flavorful, so a little goes a long way.
Tips for the Best Smoked Butter
- Keep smoker temp low (around 180–225°F)
- Stir halfway through for even smoke flavor
- Don’t over-smoke (it can turn bitter)
Other Recipes You Might Serve With Smoked Butter
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Ingredients
- ½ cup butter, sub plant-based butter
- 1 teaspoon garlic, minced
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
Instructions
- Prep: Preheat smoker to between 180-200℉.
- Smoke: Place ½ cup butter, 1 teaspoon garlic and ½ teaspoon kosher salt in a small cast iron skillet or other small, flat heat-proof container. Place on smoker and close the lid. Let smoke 30-35 minutes (or up to 60 minutes – but no longer). Stir halfway.
- Use: Remove from smoker and use in your favorite recipe!
Notes
- Other Add-Ins: you could also add (or instead of the garlic) add in a teaspoon of fresh, minced herbs (parsley, rosemary, thyme), a teaspoon of lemon zest, a pinch of red pepper flakes or a teaspoon of minced shallots.
- Serving suggestions: dip baked crab legs in it, drizzle over a reverse seared smoked steak or serve with some corned beef and cabbage!
- Smoke Time: due to the high fat-content in butter it retains quite a bit of smokiness after just 15-30 minutes, but feel free to smoke longer: up to about 60 minutes.
- Garlic: feel free to omit the garlic if you want or you can go the other way and add more if you desire!
- Let Cool + Use Later: feel free to let the butter cool and save and use for later!
Nutrition
Other Easy Smoked Recipes You Might Like
Bridget says
Such a fun addition to any recipe!
Erin says
Super easy and really good
Nick says
Could you put it in a bowl and back in the refrigerator to solidify and use later?
Erin says
Yes, you could definitely do that!