These flavored butters may be considered as a kind of sauce used to finish grilled or broiled meats, fish, poultry, or game. Compound betters may be flavored with a wide variety of ingredients, including herbs, nuts, citrus zest, garlic, shallots, ginger, and vegetables.

They are easy to prepare and can be stored, wrapped in parchment and/or plastic, for several days without loss of quality. They may also be frozen for extended storage.

In addition for their use as a sauce, they can be used to flavor grain dishes, pasta, or as a finishing ingredient in another sauce. Boiled or steamed vegetables may be tossed in compound butter just before service, however, make certain to cool cooked vegetables before incorporating into the butter.

Incorporate the flavoring agents into the softened butter working by hand with a spoon or in a mixer or food processor. Be sure that all ingredients are thoroughly incorporated and evenly distributed throughout the butter.

Roll the butter into a cylinder in parchment paper or pipe into individual rosettes. Thoroughly chill the butter before service. Butters that are rolled into cylinders can be sliced into medallions before they are used to top broiled items. After butter roll is chilled, you may carefully unroll from paper. Sprinkle fresh chopped parsley on paper and roll log until covered with parsley. Rewrap the roll in parchment paper or plastic wrap.