Making Your Own Butter Is Easier Than It Sounds

Unless you're on a dairy-free diet, most foodies would agree that there is nothing quite like carving a slice off a fresh baked loaf of bread and slathering it with butter. There's a reason that butter is a staple in so many kitchens around the world. As the late Anthony Bourdain once said on "The Oprah Winfrey Show," "that's why restaurant food tastes better than home food a lot of the time — butter" (posted on YouTube). However, if you're sick of buying the same old packaged butter every grocery trip, we've got some news for you: Butter is actually shockingly easy to make, and it's one of the simplest ways to completely level up whatever you're making. Seriously — if you make homemade butter and just serve it alongside a loaf of purchased bread, your dinner party guests are probably going to be pretty impressed.

In order to whip up a hunk of fresh homemade butter, all you really need is some cream and some type of instrument to vigorously agitate it (via Chowhound). A food processor, blender, or stand mixer would all work, although if you prefer a more low-tech option, even just placing the cream in a glass jar and shaking it will suffice. According to The Stay At Home Chef, you only need to shake your glass jar half-filled with cream for about five to seven minutes before it begins to solidify and you can spot the fat solids. There's your butter — so simple!

Once you've mastered making your own butter, why not mix things up with the flavorings you include? While there is something absolutely perfect about fresh, homemade butter, sometimes adding a bit of seasoning or flavoring can level up whatever dish you're making. For all your favorite Italian dishes, why not add in a bit of fresh parsley, basil, and garlic, as well as any other herbs you love, to slather all over some warm crostini (via Taste of Home). Or, if you're looking for something to spice up a meal packed with Mexican dishes, why not add in cilantro, lime, and a hint of chipotle powder to rub over corn on the cob for a creative take on a classic elote?

Add-ins aren't the only thing to consider when it comes to mixing up your butter game. If you're obsessed with the light, fluffy, cloud-like whipped butter that comes alongside the complimentary bread and atop the baked potato side dish at your favorite steakhouse, you're in luck: You can simply take that soft, fresh homemade butter you just created, add a hint of milk or water, and whip it until you have the perfect texture (via The Spruce Eats). Slather it on the potato, that soft white dinner roll — heck, put a pat on your steak as well — there is literally nothing that doesn't taste better with a bit of butter, as many restaurants can attest to.