Outback Steakhouse Honey Butter Recipe
My neighbor knocked on my door last Thanksgiving holding an empty butter dish. She wanted the recipe for the honey butter I’d sent over with a loaf of bread. That’s how most people find out about this Outback Steakhouse Honey Butter Recipe in my house.
I started making it after a dinner out with my in-laws years ago. The bread basket at Outback comes with a small dish of whipped honey butter. I asked our server what was in it, and she had no idea, so I went home and started testing.
My stand mixer is older than my youngest kid, and it still handles this job just fine. I mix it in a chipped ceramic bowl from a 2019 yard sale. It’s just the right size for a single batch.
Why This Copycat Honey Butter Recipe Gets Made So Often
This one gets repeat requests because it does two jobs at once. It’s sweet enough to work on a warm roll, but the salt keeps it from tasting like frosting. That balance is the whole point.
It also comes together in about five minutes with no cooking involved. Nobody needs special skills or a specific brand of mixer. Anyone with a bowl and a spoon can pull this off on a weeknight.
It holds up well for a crowd, too. I’ve packed it into small jars for a potluck and watched the jars come home empty. It travels better than most dips because it doesn’t need to stay cold the whole time.
Customizing it is easy once you understand the base ratio. Swap the herbs, add a pepper, or leave it plain. The honey and butter base stays the same no matter what you add to it.
Ingredients for Outback Steakhouse Honey Butter
Honey (½ cup): The honey is the star of the show in this recipe, giving the butter its unique flavor and texture. Look for high-quality, pure honey that’s free of additives and preservatives. When shopping for honey, read the label and choose a variety that’s 100% pure.
Butter (½ cup): The butter adds richness and creaminess to the recipe and helps balance the sweetness of the honey. Look for high-quality, fresh, well-flavored salted butter. When working with butter, make sure it’s softened to room temperature before mixing it with the honey.
Salt (¼ teaspoon): The salt enhances the flavor of the honey and butter and helps bring out the other seasonings in the recipe. Look for high-quality, kosher salt that’s additive- and preservative-free. When using salt, use a light hand; too much can overpower other flavors.
Fresh herbs (1 tablespoon): They add a bright freshness to the recipe and help balance the richness of the butter and honey. Look for high-quality, fresh herbs that are free of wilt and have a good flavor. When working with fresh herbs, chop them finely before adding them to the recipe.
Kitchen Tools Needed for Homemade Honey Butter
- Mixer: for creaming the butter and honey together
- Measuring cups: for measuring out the ingredients
- Measuring spoons: for measuring out the seasonings
- Spatula: for scraping the sides of the bowl and folding in the herbs
- Bowl: for mixing the ingredients
How to Make Outback Steakhouse Honey Butter at Home
Mix the Honey and Butter: Start by mixing the honey and butter in a large bowl. Use a mixer to combine them until smooth. Stop the mixer occasionally to scrape the sides of the bowl, which helps make sure everything mixes well.
When mixed correctly, the honey and butter will form a smooth mixture. Be careful not to over-mix, as this can make the butter too thin.
Add the Salt and Mix Well: Once the honey and butter are combined, add the salt and mix well. Use a spatula to fold in the salt evenly. The salt balances the sweetness of the honey and enhances the butter’s flavor. Check the texture; it should be smooth and creamy, with no lumps.
Remember, adding too much salt can overpower the taste, so start with a small amount and taste as you go, adding more only if needed.
Add the Fresh Herbs and Mix Well: Adding the fresh herbs and mixing them well with a spatula will help evenly distribute them throughout the honey and butter mixture. It adds freshness and balances the richness. Make sure the mixture is smooth and creamy, with no lumps.
Be careful with how many herbs you add; start with a small amount, taste it, and adjust if needed.
Expert Tips for Smooth and Creamy Honey Butter
1. Grainy Texture: Your butter was too cold. Let it sit out for a full 30 minutes before mixing next time.
2. Mixture Looks Separated: You overmixed. Stop as soon as the color turns pale and fluffy.
3. Tastes Too Sweet: Add another small pinch of salt, a little at a time, tasting between additions.
4. Herbs Turned the Butter Green: You mixed too long after adding them. Fold gently and stop as soon as they’re distributed.
5. Won’t Hold Its Shape at Room Temperature: Your kitchen is warm. Chill the bowl for 10 minutes before serving.
6. Tastes Bland: Your honey may be a mild variety. Try a stronger one, like wildflower or orange blossom.
Easy Honey Butter Variations to Try
Herb and Garlic Butter: Add a small clove of minced garlic along with the chives. This version works well spread on grilled steak or warm dinner rolls.
Spicy Honey Butter: Stir in a pinch of cayenne or red pepper flakes. It’s a good match for cornbread or fried chicken.
Lemon Honey Butter: Add a teaspoon of fresh lemon juice and a little zest. This brightens the spread up for fish or roasted vegetables.
Cinnamon Honey Butter: Mix in a scant ¼ teaspoon of ground cinnamon. It’s an easy match for pancakes or biscuits at breakfast.
Maple Honey Butter: Swap two tablespoons of the honey for maple syrup. The flavor turns deeper and slightly smoky, good on waffles.
Bacon Honey Butter: Fold in a tablespoon of finely crumbled cooked bacon. It leans savory and works well on cornbread.
Best Foods to Serve With Honey Butter
This spread does a lot of work on simple things. Warm dinner rolls, cornbread, and biscuits all benefit from a thick swipe of it while they’re still hot.
It also holds up on grilled or steak, melting slightly as it sits on top. Roasted sweet potatoes and grilled corn take well to it too.
For a full meal, I’ll pair a batch of this with a simple steak, a side of roasted vegetables, and warm rolls on the side. The butter ties the whole plate together.
If you want a starch that pairs especially well, the Mac and Cheese is a solid match on the same plate.
How to Store Honey Butter Properly
This honey butter keeps in the fridge for up to 7 days. Store it in a small airtight jar or wrapped tightly in plastic wrap to keep it from picking up other fridge smells.
For longer storage, freeze it for up to 3 months in a freezer-safe container. Thaw it overnight in the fridge, then re-whip it briefly with a fork if it separates slightly.
Let it sit at room temperature for about 15 minutes before serving. It firms up considerably when cold and spreads much easier once softened.
Outback Steakhouse Honey Butter Recipe FAQs
1. Can I use unsalted butter instead of salted?
Yes. Add a scant ¼ teaspoon of kosher salt to make up for the difference, and taste before adding more.
2. Does this recipe need to be refrigerated right away?
It’s fine at room temperature for a few hours during a meal, but refrigerate it after that for food safety.
3. Can I make this without a mixer?
Yes, a whisk works. It takes longer, closer to four or five minutes of steady whisking, to get the same fluffy texture.
4. Why did my butter turn out runny instead of fluffy?
Your butter was likely too warm or melted slightly. Chill the mixture for 10 minutes, then re-whip it briefly.
5. Can I use flavored honey?
Yes. A darker honey like buckwheat will taste stronger and more molasses-like than a mild clover honey.
6. How much does this recipe make?
This batch makes about 1 cup, enough for 8 small servings alongside bread or steak.
7. Can I double this recipe for a party?
Yes, just double every ingredient and mix in the same order. The technique doesn’t change with volume.
8. Is this recipe gluten-free?
Yes, honey, butter, salt, and herbs contain no gluten on their own.
9. Can I add vanilla extract?
A few drops work well if you’re serving this with pancakes or waffles instead of steak.
10. What’s the most common mistake people make with this recipe?
Using cold butter straight from the fridge. It won’t whip evenly and leaves streaks of unmixed honey.
Outback Steakhouse Honey Butter Recipe
Ingredients
Method
- Start by mixing the honey and butter in a large bowl. Use a mixer to combine them until smooth. Stop the mixer occasionally to scrape the sides of the bowl, which helps make sure everything mixes well.
- When mixed correctly, the honey and butter will form a smooth mixture. Be careful not to over-mix, as this can make the butter too thin.
- Once the honey and butter are combined, add the salt and mix well. Use a spatula to fold in the salt evenly. The salt balances the sweetness of the honey and enhances the butter’s flavor.
- Check the texture; it should be smooth and creamy, with no lumps. Remember, adding too much salt can overpower the taste, so start with a small amount and taste as you go, adding more only if needed.
- Adding the fresh herbs and mixing them well with a spatula will help evenly distribute them throughout the honey and butter mixture. It adds freshness and balances the richness.
- Make sure the mixture is smooth and creamy, with no lumps. Be careful with how many herbs you add; start with a small amount, taste it, and adjust if needed.
This Outback Steakhouse Honey Butter Recipe earns its spot in my fridge because it takes 10 minutes and disappears faster than that. The ratio is simple enough to remember without checking the card twice.
