Let’s talk about something a bit daring, a bit luxurious, yet totally doable in your kitchen: Bone Marrow Butter. I’m bringing you a recipe that’s going to change the way you think about butter. This Whipped Bone Marrow Butter with Garlic and Herb isn’t your average butter – it’s a culinary revelation.
Why You’ll Love This Bone Marrow Butter Recipe
Imagine the richest, most flavorful butter you’ve ever had. Now, elevate that with the deep, meaty essence of bone marrow, coupled with a kick of garlic and a fresh burst of herbs. This whipped bone marrow butter has a wonderful velvety texture, perfect for slathering on crusty bread or melting over a juicy steak. It’s fancy without the fuss, lavish without the pretense – pure, decadent simplicity.
What is bone marrow butter?
Bone marrow butter is a rich and decadent food spread made by roasting and blending bone marrow from cows or other animals with butter or oil.
This mineral-rich bone marrow adds a subtle meaty, umami flavor to the buttery spread. It can be used like regular butter – spread on bread or for cooking.
Bone marrow is praised for its nutritional benefits, its high fat content, and nutrients like vitamin A, K2, iron, and zinc. It provides a unique, luxurious flavor to enhance steaks, breads, vegetables, and more.
The texture of bone marrow butter is similar to creamy nut butter. It has a very mild flavor on its own, with a subtle, meaty, mineral taste from the bone marrow. The butter adds a richness and umami flavor when spread on bread or used in cooking.
Bone Marrow Butter Ingredients
1 pound beef bone marrow bones
8 tbsp (1 stick) unsalted butter, softened to room temperature
3 garlic cloves, chopped
1 tsp lemon zest
2-3 tsp fresh thyme or rosemary leaves, minced
1⁄4 tsp crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
Sea Salt, to taste
Black Pepper, freshly ground
How To Make Bone Marrow Butter
- Preheat oven to 400°F.
- Add bone marrow bones to a small sheet pan or oven-safe skillet—season with salt, pepper, and a drizzle of avocado oil.
- Transfer to oven and roast bones for 20-30 minutes. Or until the marrow is bubbling.
- Scoop roasted marrow from bones into a food processor or in a bowl of a stand mixer. Add butter, roasted garlic, parsley, thyme and red pepper flakes.
- Whisk on medium-high speed until smooth and fully incorporated. Season to taste with salt and pepper.
- Transfer marrow butter to an airtight container and refrigerate for at least 2 hours before serving.
- Remove from fridge about 20 minutes before serving to soften spreadable consistency.
- Serve at room temperature with bread, over your favorite steak or roasted vegetables. Can also be used to enrich sauces and pan drippings.
- Store leftovers in fridge for up to 1 week.
Bone Marrow Butter Substitutions and Variations
Unsalted Butter – Possible alternatives for unsalted butter are regular butter, ghee/clarified butter, and margarine. If you’re looking for a vegan and non-dairy option, you can also use plant-based butter.
Roasted Garlic – You can use minced raw garlic but keep in mind to adjust the quantity to your taste if you want to achieve a milder, sweet flavor
Fresh Parsley – Substitute fresh parsley with fresh herbs like fresh rosemary, cilantro, chives, or basil if you want a different flavor.
Fresh Thyme Leaves – You can use dried thyme if you don’t have fresh thyme on hand. Keep in mind that dried herbs are concentrated so use only about half that amount.
Red Pepper Flakes – If you prefer a milder or no heat option, you can omit the crushed red pepper flakes. Alternatively, you can use a pinch of cayenne pepper or paprika for a subtle kick.
Salt and Pepper – Adjust the salt and pepper according to your taste preferences. You can use sea salt, kosher salt, or any other preferred type of salt. For pepper, freshly ground black pepper is always a good choice.
Bone Marrow Butter Variations
Citrus Zest Bone Marrow Butter – Mix in some grated lemon zest / orange zest to add a bright and citrusy note to the butter.
Truffle Bone Marrow Butter – Add truffle oil or finely chopped truffles to give the butter a delicious truffle flavor.
Roasted Nut Bone Marrow Butter – Incorporate fiinely chopped roasted nuts like almonds, hazelnuts, or walnuts to add a crunchy texture and nutty flavor.
Smoked Bone Marrow Butter – You can use smoked bone marrow or add a touch of liquid smoke if you want the butter to have a distinct, smoky flavor.
How to store and reheat Bone Marrow Butter
Storing Bone Marrow Butter
To store the bone marrow butter, place it in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Seal tightly or you can also cover it with a sheet of plastic wrap / cling film. Or you can shape in a cylindar shape wrap in parchment paper or wax paper and you’ve got the best compound butter for your grilled steaks.
Consume within a week.
Reheating Bone Marrow Butter
1. Softening using room temperature
Remove the bone marrow butter from the refrigerator and let it sit at room temperature for about 20 minutes before serving. This allows the butter to soften to a spreadable consistency.
2. Microwave Method
To soften the bone marrow butter quickly, put it in a microwave-safe dish and heat it in short bursts (about 10-20 seconds) until it reaches the desired softness. Stir between bursts to spread the heat evenly and be careful not to melt it completely.
3. Stovetop Method
You can also gently reheat the bone marrow butter on the stove. Use a double boiler or a small bowl (heatproof) on top of a pot of simmering water. Stir the bone marrow butter until it achieves a spreadable consistency.
Bone Marrow Butter Cooking Tips (Top 3 Tips to Success)
1. Use Quality Ingredients: For best results, make sure to use high-quality bone marrow, preferably from a trusted source. The richness and flavor of the butter depend significantly on the quality of the ingredients.
2. Ensure a Balance of Flavors: The bone marrow alone is rich and savory, so balancing it with the right amount of salt, pepper, and any additional herbs or spices is a crucial step. Taste the butter as you go and adjust the seasoning to achieve a harmonious and well-rounded flavor profile.
3. Observe Proper Processing and Texture: Use a food processor or blender to achieve a smooth and creamy texture. Make sure the roasted bone marrow, softened butter mixture, and the remaining ingredients are thoroughly processed.
Bone Marrow Butter FAQs
Does bone marrow taste like butter?
Bone marrow does not exactly taste like butter, but it does have a rich, buttery texture and flavor. When cooked, bone marrow becomes soft and creamy, with a velvety mouthfeel similar to butter.
What makes bone marrow so tasty?
Bone marrow tastes really good because it’s rich and has a creamy, buttery texture from lots of fat. It also has a savory, meaty flavor called umami, and essential minerals add to its taste complexity. Processes like caramelization make it even more flavorful.
How often should you eat bone marrow?
If you enjoy bone marrow and want to include it in your diet, consider doing so occasionally as part of a well-balanced and varied meal plan. Remember that moderation is key, as bone marrow, like other high-fat foods, can be calorie-dense.
What are the health benefits of bone marrow butter?
Bone marrow butter, like bone marrow itself, can offer some health benefits due to its nutrient content, for example it’s very rich in healthy fats.
What is the difference between store bone marrow butter and homemade?
The magic of making your own bone marrow butter lies in the personal touch and customization that store-bought versions simply can’t offer. Unlike pre-made marrow butter, which might skimp on the marrow for cost savings, your homemade bone marrow bones butter version boasts a generous blend of roasted bone marrow and softened unsalted butter, enriched with the aromatic allure of roasted garlic, fresh parsley, and thyme. This not only elevates the taste but also the nutritional value, offering a luxurious texture and a complex flavor profile that store versions often lack. Plus, the process of roasting, blending in a food processor, and seasoning with sea salt and black pepper to your preference makes your marrow butter uniquely yours, a culinary creation that adds a personal and sumptuous twist to crusty bread, roasted vegetables, or a juicy grilled steak.
Where to buy bone marrow?
You can buy bone marrow from various places such as your local grocery store, butcher shops, farmers’ markets, or even online meat retailers.
Bone Marrow Butter Recipe Conclusion
I hope you are excited about making bone marrow butter after reading this post! Bone marrow butter adds so much flavor to so many recipes. It’s a game-changer for anyone looking to elevate their cooking with deep, rich, and savory flavors. Whether you’re spreading it over warm, crusty bread or melting it on top of a juicy steak, this bone marrow butter recipe promises to bring a luxurious twist to your meals.
Recipe:
PrintWhipped Bone Marrow Butter with Garlic and Herbs
I know bone marrow sounds a little extra, but just go with me here. We’re taking that unctuous, velvety marrow fat and whipping it right into butter with some garlicky, herby action for a spread that’s equal parts lush and insane. Slather it on literally anything – crusty bread, roasted potatoes, seared meats, your supplemental health insurance bills, whatever. This butter is straight-up ridiculous in the best way, giving you that hit of funky richness balanced with bright, fresh aromatics. It’s luxurious but totally unfussy since you can absolutely pull it off at home. Just do it and thank me later.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 45 minutes
Ingredients
1 pound beef bone marrow bones
8 tbsp (1 stick) unsalted butter, softened to room temperature
3 garlic cloves, chopped
2–3 tsp fresh thyme or rosemary leaves, minced
1⁄4 tsp crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
2 tsp lemon zest
Sea Salt
Black Pepper, freshly ground
Instructions
-
- Preheat oven to 400°F.
- Add bone marrow bones to a small sheet pan or oven-safe skillet—season with salt, pepper, and a drizzle of avocado oil.
- Transfer to oven and roast bones for 20-30 minutes. Or until the marrow is bubbling.
- Scoop roasted marrow from bones into a food processor or in a bowl of a stand mixer. Add butter, roasted garlic, parsley, thyme and red pepper flakes.
- Whisk on medium-high speed until smooth and fully incorporated. Season to taste with salt and pepper.
- Transfer marrow butter to an airtight container and refrigerate for at least 2 hours before serving.
- Remove from fridge about 20 minutes before serving to soften spreadable consistency.
- Serve at room temperature with bread, over your favorite steak or roasted vegetables. Can also be used to enrich sauces and pan drippings.
- Store leftovers in fridge for up to 1 week.
Keywords: Bone Marrow Bones, Bone Marrow
