Basil Tomato Butter

If there is one thing I love about Southern summer food, it's that the simplest little extras can make the whole meal feel special. This tomato butter is one of those recipes! It comes together in a few minutes, but once you spread it over warm cornbread or let it melt into corn on the cob, it tastes like the kind of summer side everyone remembers. 

This tomato basil butter is made with sun-dried tomatoes for big tomato flavor without the watery mess, plus fresh basil and garlic to keep it bright and savory. It is perfect for BBQs, picnic baskets, porch dinners, or those nights when grilled chicken needs a little something extra.

As a dietitian, I also love that adding a little butter to vegetables can help your body absorb fat-soluble nutrients like vitamins A, D, E, and K. So when this tomato basil butter melts over roasted vegetables, corn, or grilled zucchini, it is bringing flavor and helping make those colorful veggies even more satisfying.

If you love simple summer recipes, you may also like my peach tomato burrata salad or bruschetta chicken burgers for more fresh tomato and basil flavor.

Why You'll Love This Recipe

• Adds big flavor fast: This tomato basil butter takes a few basic ingredients and turns them into a savory spread you can use all week.
• Perfect for summer hosting: Serve it with corn on the cob, cornbread, grilled chicken, shrimp, or a snack board for BBQs, picnics, and porch dinners.
• Make-ahead friendly: You can prep it before a party, keep it chilled, and pull it out when you are ready to serve.

Try my old bay butter or honey jalapeño butter for more easy flavored butter ideas.

Ingredients for Basil Tomato Butter Spread

This tomato basil butter uses simple ingredients that bring savory, herby flavor to just about anything you spread it on.

• Butter: Use softened butter so everything mixes together smoothly. I like using salted butter for extra flavor, but unsalted butter works too if you want more control over the salt.
• Sun-dried tomatoes: Sun-dried tomatoes give this tomato butter deep, concentrated flavor without adding too much moisture. If you use oil-packed sun-dried tomatoes, drain them well before chopping.
• Fresh basil: Fresh basil gives the butter that summery tomato basil flavor and keeps it from tasting too heavy.
• Garlic: Fresh garlic adds a savory bite that works so well with the tomatoes and basil.
• Salt: A little salt helps bring the flavors together, but start small since sun-dried tomatoes can already be salty.
• Black pepper: Black pepper adds a little warmth and balances the richness of the butter.

See the recipe card below for the full list of ingredients and measurements.

Substitutions & Variations

This recipe for tomato butter is easy to adjust depending on what you are serving it with.

• Add red pepper flakes to the tomato butter if you want a little heat for corn, chicken, shrimp, or garlic bread.
• Stir in lemon zest if you want the butter to taste brighter, especially for seafood, grilled vegetables, or roasted chicken.
• Use roasted garlic instead of fresh garlic if you want a softer, slightly sweeter garlic flavor.
• Mix in parmesan cheese if you plan to melt this tomato basil butter over pasta, garlic bread, or warm cornbread.
• Swap in fresh parsley or chives with the basil if you want an extra herby compound butter.
• Add a pinch of smoked paprika if you want a subtle smoky flavor for BBQ chicken, grilled corn, or roasted potatoes.

How to Make Tomato Butter Recipe

Here's how to make this easy tomato basil butter in just a few minutes.

Step 1: Finely chop the sun-dried tomatoes and fresh basil so they mix evenly into the butter.

Step 2: Add the softened butter, chopped sun-dried tomatoes, basil, garlic, salt, and black pepper to a small mixing bowl.

Step 3: Stir until everything is fully combined and the tomato pieces are evenly spread throughout the butter.

Step 4: Serve the tomato butter right away as a soft spread, or shape it into a log with parchment paper and chill until firm.

What to Serve with Tomato Compound Butter

This tomato butter is one of those recipes you will keep finding new ways to use.

• Spread tomato butter over hot cornbread, corn muffins, or biscuits while they are still warm.
• Melt butter into corn on the cob for an easy summer side dish with big flavor.
• Add a pat to grilled chicken, steak, shrimp skewers, salmon, or pork chops right before serving.
• Spoon over baked potatoes, roasted potatoes, grilled zucchini, squash, or green beans.
• Toss a little with warm pasta for a quick side dish that tastes savory, buttery, and fresh.
• Serve softened butter with toasted sourdough, crackers, fresh vegetables, or a summer snack board.

Tips For Best Sweet Tomato Butter

A few small details will help your tomato basil butter taste fresh, creamy, and full of flavor.

• Drain the sun-dried tomatoes well so the tomato butter stays creamy instead of oily.
• Use truly softened butter because melted butter can separate and make the mixture greasy.
• Finely chop the fresh basil so you get a little herby flavor in every bite.
• Taste before adding extra salt since sun-dried tomatoes can vary in saltiness.
• Chill the compound butter log before slicing if you want pretty rounds for corn, cornbread, steak, or shrimp.
• Let the tomato basil butter sit at room temperature for a few minutes before serving if you want it soft and spreadable.

Storage

This tomato basil butter stores well, which makes it great for prepping before a cookout or summer dinner.

• Refrigerator:  Store tomato basil butter in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 1 week. Keep the butter chilled until close to serving time if you are bringing it outside for a BBQ, picnic, or party.
• Freezer: Freeze butter for up to 2 to 3 months in a freezer-safe bag or container. You can also portion the jalapeno butter into an ice cube tray, freeze until solid, and transfer the cubes to a freezer-safe bag for easy single servings.