Drawn Butter (for Lobster and Other Seafood)
on Feb 25, 2022
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Are you familiar with the term Drawn Butter? Many people haven’t heard of it before, or if they have, are unsure of what it’s referring to. Essentially, drawn butter is melted butter. In fact, if you’re a fan of lobster or crab, you may have dipped it into a bowl of drawn butter before biting into it.
We’ve gathered some interesting information about drawn butter, and an easy recipe that you can use to make your own.
What Is Drawn Butter?
Drawn butter sounds like a fancy term, but it’s really just melted butter that is often served at restaurants with steamed seafood, like crab and lobster. It can be served on its own or flavored with lemon juice to enhance the taste.
How To Make Drawn Butter
- In a saucepan over medium heat, add the unsalted butter.
- Let the butter melt and start bubbling, then reduce the heat to the lowest setting.
- A milky froth should start to appear over the melted butter surface, which you can remove using a skimmer or a spoon. Keep removing it until the froth stops appearing.
- Line a sieve with several layers of cheesecloth and place it over a bowl.
- Pour the melted butter through the sieve slowly and serve when finished, or store it for later use.
Drawn Butter vs Clarified Butter
Now that we know that drawn butter is another term for melted butter, how does it compare to clarified butter? Both are melted butter. The difference is that with clarified butter, the butter has been melted and the foamy white fat has been skimmed from the top. Because most of the lactose has been removed as a result of the skimming, clarified butter is often recommended for those who are sensitive to lactose.
Drawn Butter vs Ghee
Popular in Indian cuisine, ghee is very similar to clarified butter. The water and milk solids are removed, leaving pure batter fat that has a rich and intense butter flavor. Because of its higher smoke point, ghee is often used to fry foods, similar to regular cooking oils like canola and peanut oil.
Can I Use Salted Butter for Making Drawn Butter?
Yes, the choice is up to you. While both salted and unsalted butter can be used to make drawn butter, some prefer to use unsalted butter because it’s less likely to burn.
Ways to Use Drawn Butter
In addition to enjoying drawn butter with shellfish, it also pairs well with pan-fried fish and steamed vegetables. Here are some ideas to get you started:
- Lobster
- Clams
- Shrimp/Prawns
- Oysters
- Mussels
- Scallops
- Steamed Vegetables
- Pan-seared Fish
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- Dairy-Free Butter (Vegan Butter)
How to Make Drawn Butter Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 lb unsalted butter
Instructions
- Cut the butter into pieces and add to a small saucepan.
- Place the saucepan over medium-low heat, allowing the butter to melt completely and start bubbling.
- Reduce the heat to the lowest setting.
- A milky froth will start to appear on the surface. Use a skimmer or a spoon to remove the froth until no more appears. This will take 10-15 minutes.
- Place a sieve over a medium measuring cup or bowl and line it with several layers of cheesecloth.
- Remove the saucepan from the heat and slowly pour the clear liquid into the sieve, taking care not to pour in any of the milky residue from the bottom of the pot.
- Enjoy with your meal or transfer to a mason jar to store and use later.
Notes
- Unsalted butter is less likely to burn during the boiling process, but salted butter can also be used.
- It’s normal to sometimes hear sputtering sounds when the butter is boiling. This indicates that the water is evaporating through the fat.
- Drawn butter can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 months, or in the freezer for up to 6 months.
Nutrition information provided is an estimate only and will vary based on ingredient brands and cooking methods used.
