Black Truffle Butter

This truffle butter is one of my favorite black truffle recipes. It tastes so good on so many things!

angled shot of bowl of truffle butter


 

This Truffle Butter recipe is surprisingly easy to make, requiring only 3 ingredients. Guaranteed to become your favorite black truffle recipe!

We recently returned from a family vacation to Italy where our 7-month old daughter realized she loves black truffles. Like seriously fought me for them. She has expensive taste…

As soon as we got home, I bought black truffle pate and started to incorporate it into a lot of our foods, starting with this black truffle butter.

Why You’ll Love This Truffle Butter

A flavorful butter that’s perfect when paired with an endless amount of dishes- what’s not to love!

  • Simple ingredients – In fact, you only need three simple ingredients to make this butter. Truffle pate might be hard to find in a store, but you can easily order it online.
  • Sophisticated flavor – If you’ve never had truffle before, they have an earthy, garlicky flavor that really elevates anything it’s added to.
  • Easy to make – You can have this truffle butter ready in only five minutes, making it super quick to whip up and add a pat or dollop to just about anything.
overhead shot of truffle and butter mixed in bowl

What is truffle butter?

Well, it’s a compound butter – which just means that you mix butter with something else to make a more flavorful butter (cognac garlic butter is another popular example).

Most truffle butters use white truffle oil or truffle salt, and while these are easier to find, they can also lead to overly salty butter or difficulty blending. Instead, I used black truffle pate for a beautifully speckled truffle butter. You can also use grated or thinly sliced fresh truffles.

There is no mistaking the aroma of truffles or the flavor of truffles.

overhead shot of bowl of black truffle butter

What is Truffle Butter Made From?

The recipe is basic with just 3 ingredients.

  • Softened Butter– I use unsalted butter so I can adjust the salt accordingly, but if you can use salted butter if you wish, just omit the fine sea salt.
  • Truffle Pate– I do prefer truffle pate versus oil because I love the specks and also robust flavor. Try to drain out as much olive oil as you can and know that a little goes a long way. It will blend better and leave you with a clean butter.
  • Fine Sea Salt– I like a fine sea salt because it easily blends evenly into the butter and dissolves. Since there isn’t any heating, you’ll need something that dissolves fast and won’t taste gritty.
overhead shot of truffle butter ingredients

How to Make This Homemade Truffle Butter Recipe

Making this full-bodied butter is just like making other flavored butters. Easy, simple and can be made ahead of time.

  1. Drain. Try to drain out as much of the oil from the pate as possible. It doesn’t need to be put through a mesh sieve or cheesecloth (that will just waste it), simple tip a spoon and release oil. Some if fine.
  2. Blend. In a small bowl, mash together the creamy butter and truffle pate with a fork. Another easy way to blend it is in a food processor or stand mixer with the paddle attachment. If the butter is softened enough, a fork should suffice.
  3. Season. Slowly add the salt, taste testing along the way to determine if more is needed.
  4. Marry. Allow to sit at room temperature for 15-20 minutes to allow butter to absorb flavors.
  5. Chill. Cover and place in the refrigerator for up to 7 days.
truffle and butter in bowl

Fresh Truffles vs Truffle Oil vs Truffle Pate

Fresh truffles can be super expensive and hard to find, which is why pate is my happy medium. Truffle mushrooms will come whole and you’ll need to process them anyhow. If they are coming from across seas, they are likely attached to a hefty delivery fee for a quick transit time to not spoil.

I can order it off Amazon and it is whisked to my front door in a day or two.

The other option is black truffle oil or white truffle oil, however most are made with the real stuff. Or at least that is what I’ve heard through the grapevine. But seriously, if you think about blending butter with oil, I just can’t imagine the weird texture it creates.

overhead close up shot of truffle butter in bowl

Black Truffles

Just to clarify in case you’re still wondering, “what are black truffles?”, we’re not talking about the chocolate treat here but rather a fungus that grows under trees in Europe.

And if you’re thinking “ew, fungus!”, remember that’s what mushrooms are too! And if you are like “ewww… mushrooms”… then I got nothing for ya.

What Do They Taste Like?

Black truffles have a taste that’s hard to describe but is often said to be a bit garlicky and “earthy”. I love adding them to things that I want a hint of garlic or herb flavor. This recipe is similar to garlic butter but without such a strong garlic flavor. 

Truffle Oil and Truffle Salt are both great too, but better for finishing dishes. Risotto with a drizzle of oil or a steak with truffle salt is pure magic. 

overhead shot of knife in truffle butter

How to Use It

It is a delicious addition to nearly anything – those are just the ones I’ve used it for already. Truffle flavor for all! You can even use it to finish pan seared steaks or in any recipe that uses regular butter like stuffed lobster tails or crab oscar. And of course, use it to make a butter board.

angled shot of loaves of truffle garlic bread

Storage and Freezing

Storage: This truffle butter will last the same amount of time as regular butter if kept chilled and properly stored. Store in an airtight container in the fridge.

PRO TIP: After making your truffle butter, cover tightly with plastic wrap. Butter (and compound butters) can easily take on other flavors nearby in the fridge.

Freezing: Just like any other butter, you can freeze it. Roll it into a log and package it well. It will last for about 6-8 months.

close up of truffle butter on knife

Commonly Asked Questions

Can I use white truffles?

Sure! Use white or black truffles, the flavor will taste slightly depending on what you use. White truffle butter can be used the same exact way.

Can I serve it at room temperature?

Serve this butter like any other. The FDA says you can leave butter out at room temperature for up to 2 hours. I personally prefer my butter a little soft so it is more spreadable.

What are summer truffles?

Just the name of a truffle species, sometimes known as burgundy truffles. They are also one of the most prevalent and available in most European countries.

overhead shot of bowl of truffle butter with text overlay for pinterest

Other Flavored Butter Recipes

Compound butters can add so much to a dish (and very easily)- make sure to check out a few others!

small plate with sage butter

Orange Sage Butter

You won't believe how easy it is once you've learned how to make flavored butter! This Orange Sage Butter recipe is full of flavor and tastes great on almost everything.
See The Recipe!
Sun Dried Tomato Butter is a flavored butter recipe made with tart sundried tomatoes, roasted garlic and parsley. The perfect butter for Garlic Bread! www.savoryexperiments.com

Sun Dried Tomato Butter Recipe

Sun Dried Tomato Butter is a flavored butter recipe made with tart sundried tomatoes, roasted garlic and parsley. The perfect butter for Garlic Bread!
See The Recipe!
sliced of flavored butter on a wood cutting board

Maitre d’Hotel Butter Recipe

Maitre d'Hotel Butter is a simple compound butter recipe that elevates food with basic flavors: lemon, parsley and mustard. Use it as a finishing butter on meats and vegetables for added pizzazz.
See The Recipe!
overhead shot of knife in truffle butter

Truffle Butter Recipe

4.46 from 74 votes
This Homemade Black Truffle Butter is so easy to make! Only 3 ingredients and a few minutes needed. You’ll never get it at the store again!
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Total Time: 5 minutes
Servings: 4

Equipment

Ingredients

Instructions

  • In a small bowl, mash together the butter and truffle pate with a fork.
  • Slowly add the salt, taste testing along the way to determine if more is needed.
  • Allow to sit at room temperature for 15-20 minutes to allow the butter to absorb flavors.
  • Cover and place in the refrigerator for up to 7 days.
  • If you’ve tried this recipe, make sure to come back and let us know how you liked it and what you used it on!

Video

Nutrition

Calories: 203 kcal, Fat: 23 g, Saturated Fat: 14 g, Cholesterol: 61 mg, Sodium: -287 mg, Vitamin A: 710 IU, Calcium: 7 mg
Author: Chef Jessica Anne
Calories: 203
Course: Condiment
Cuisine: American, Italian
Keyword: truffle butter
Did you make this recipe?I’d love to see your recipes – snap a picture and mention @savoryexperiments or tag #savoryexperiments!
collage of truffle butter for pinterest
Jessica Formicola in her ktichen

About the Author

Chef Jessica Anne Formicola

Jessica the mom, wife and chef behind Savory Experiments. You might see her on the Emmy- nominated TV show Plate It! or on bookshelves as a cookbook author. Jessica is a Le Cordon Bleu certified recipe developer and regularly contributed to Parade, Better Homes & Gardens, The Daily Meal, Mashed and more!

Read More About Jessica

4.46 from 74 votes (59 ratings without comment)

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Questions and Reviews

  1. Dear Jessica,
    Thank you for the recipe. I would recommend to delete a comment about Nicki Minaj song as “truffle butter” is a slang expression for something else. I believe that’s what her song is about. you might wanna google.

  2. 5 stars
    I can’t believe there’s so much flavor in just 3 simple ingredients! What an awesome recipe to upgrade ANY meal!

  3. 5 stars
    I have a jar in my fridge, but it’s not homemade. I’ve been meaning to use it for a while. and you just inspired me to do so. and so cool that you made your own!