How to Make Compound Butters

A great way to give your turkey rich depth of flavor and get crispy skin is by using a compound butter. When I first heard about compound butters, I felt a little intimidated, but not anymore. Compound butters are no big deal! A compound butter is made by whipping or creaming butter with supplemental ingredients like herbs, spices, or even something fancier like truffles! It's reformed and then used to flavor meats, vegetables, or in sauces. The best part about this technique, this is a real chance to be creative and try something new.

Watch Chef Chuck Hughes makes three compound butters Garlic Butter, Smoked Paprika Butter, and Lime Butter  on Cooking Channel's Chuck Day's Off:

                                 

                source: CookingChannel.com

And here are some recipes to add flavors using the same technique:

• Williams-Sonoma's Herb Compound Butter
• Alton Brown's Basic Compound Butter
• Cranberry Compound Butter
• Ancho-Chile Compound Butter 

So after you've made your compound butter, how do you incorporate it into your turkey recipe? Pat the turkey dry. Use your hands and loosen the skin from the breast of turkey by gently inserting your fingers between the skin and the flesh. Rub the compound butter underneath the skin. I suggest taking some of the same ingredients you used in the compound butter and use them to season the cavity of the turkey. Don't take my word for it, try this technique yourself to elevate your turkey from ho hum to yum yum!