Using butter on a Blackstone griddle is perfectly fine and can enhance the flavor of foods cooked on it. However, there are some things to keep in mind when cooking with butter on a Blackstone.
Can you use butter on a Blackstone griddle?
Yes, you can absolutely use butter when cooking on a Blackstone griddle. The high heat of the Blackstone is great for melting butter and allowing it to coat and caramelize on foods. Butter adds richness, moisture, and flavor to foods cooked on a griddle.
Some common ways to use butter on a Blackstone include:
- Melting butter and brushing it on meats, vegetables, and breads before or during cooking.
- Adding a pat of butter to hamburgers or smashed potatoes while they cook.
- Using butter instead of oil for cooking eggs, pancakes, grilled cheese, etc.
- Making compound butters (flavored with herbs, garlic, etc.) to top meats and vegetables.
- Using butter to baste steaks, chops, fish fillets, etc. while they cook.
So feel free to use butter when cooking on your Blackstone. It’s a great way to add flavor to veggies, proteins, breads, and more.
Tips for cooking with butter on a Blackstone griddle
Here are some tips to get the best results when using butter on your Blackstone:
- Use high-quality butter – Good quality butters like European-style or grass-fed taste best.
- Watch the heat – Butter can burn faster than oil. Keep an eye on it.
- Include other fats – Combining butter with a small amount of cooking oil helps prevent burning.
- Clean the griddle – Wipe down excess burned butter residue to prevent bitterness.
- Brush it on – Use a basting brush to evenly coat foods with melted butter.
- Flavor it – Jazz up plain butter with herbs, lemon, garlic, etc. before cooking.
- Butter baste – Spoon melted butter over foods as they cook for extra flavor.
- Let meat rest – Allowing meat to rest after cooking lets the butter absorb into the meat.
Following these tips will help you get the best possible results when cooking with butter on a Blackstone griddle!
Best foods to cook with butter on a Blackstone
Here are some of the foods that benefit most from the addition of butter when cooked on a Blackstone griddle:
Vegetables
Butter helps make caramelized, crisp, flavorful veggies on a griddle. Good veggies to cook with butter include:
- Onions
- Bell peppers
- Asparagus
- Brussels sprouts
- Broccoli
- Squash
- Eggplant
- Mushrooms
- Zucchini
- Potatoes
Meats
Butter basting is great for steaks, chops, chicken, fish, and more. The butter keeps the meat moist and adds flavor. Try butter with:
- Steaks
- Pork chops
- Chicken breasts
- Fish fillets
- Shrimp
- Burger patties
- Sausages
- Lamb chops
Breads
Spreading or brushing butter on breads before toasting on the griddle gives delightful flavor. Use it on:
- Baguettes
- Paninis
- Sandwich bread
- Biscuits
- Pancakes
- English muffins
- Waffles
- Sliced bread
Other
Almost anything benefits from a little butter! Other ideas include:
- Corn on the cob
- Quesadillas
- Grilled cheese
- Popcorn
- Eggs
- French toast
- Hash browns
Should you use butter or oil on a Blackstone griddle?
You can use both! Here’s a look at the pros and cons of each:
Butter
Pros:
- Adds rich, delicious flavor
- Keeps food moist
- Gives breads and veggies a nice color
Cons:
- Has a lower smoke point than oils
- Can burn faster at high heat
- Adds calories compared to oil
Cooking Oil
Pros:
- Less likely to burn at high heat
- Adds little to no flavor
- Typically fewer calories than butter
Cons:
- Doesn’t add as much moisture or flavor
- Can be more expensive than butter
In many cases, the best option is to use a combination – a small amount of oil to prevent sticking/burning, plus butter for flavor. The oil helps the butter not burn as quickly.
Cleaning tips for using butter on a Blackstone griddle
Since butter contains milk solids, it can leave behind debris and stickier residue compared to oil. Here are some tips for cleaning up after cooking with butter on your griddle:
- Remove excess butter – Wipe the griddle surface with paper towels after cooking while still warm. This removes most of the butter drippings and particles.
- Use a plastic scraper – A good plastic spatula or scraper makes it easy to remove stuck-on butter residue while the griddle is still warm.
- Pour hot water – If needed, pour some hot water on the griddle and scrape again to remove remaining residue.
- Scrub with a brass brush – Use a brush with brass bristles to scrub off any remaining stuck-on bits after cooking with butter.
- Clean with dish soap – If needed, wipe the surface with dish soap and water using paper towels or a scrub pad.
- Avoid soapstone – Don’t use soapstone blocks after cooking with butter, as they can get clogged with fats.
Staying on top of wiping excess butter and using scrapers/scrub brushes will keep your Blackstone in great shape after butter cooking sessions.
FAQs about using butter on a Blackstone griddle
Is it better to use butter or oil on a Blackstone?
Both butter and oil work well, but have different benefits. Butter provides better flavor and moisture. Oil has a higher smoke point and is less likely to burn. Many cooks use a combination for the ideal balance.
What’s the best butter for a Blackstone griddle?
Grass-fed butter or European-style butters have more flavor than conventional butter. Clarified butter works well too since it has a higher smoke point and won’t burn as fast.
Does butter ruin Blackstone griddles?
No, butter won’t ruin a Blackstone with proper cleaning. Allowing caked-on butter residue to build up without cleaning can damage the cooking surface over time. But wiping up excess butter and regular scrubbing prevents issues.
Is coconut oil better than butter on a Blackstone?
Coconut oil doesn’t burn quite as easily as butter. But butter still has the upper hand for providing optimal flavor. You can use a mix of coconut oil and butter to get the best of both.
What temperature does butter burn on a Blackstone?
Butter’s smoke point is 350°F, while its flash point is about 400°F. On a hot Blackstone griddle, butter can burn within 1-2 minutes. Keep the heat around medium and keep an eye on it to prevent burning.
Should you butter both sides of bread on a Blackstone?
Yes, buttering both sides of bread before griddling will provide flavor throughout and keeps the bread from drying out. Use softened butter so it spreads evenly.
Butter Recipe Ideas for the Blackstone
Compound Butters
Compound butters are easy to make at home. Use them to add flavor to steaks, breads, corn, vegetables and more on the Blackstone. Try mixing softened butter with ingredients like:
- Lemon zest and parsley
- Minced garlic and rosemary
- Chipotle powder and lime juice
- Honey and black pepper
- Blue cheese and chives
Brown Butter
Browning butter on the Blackstone’s high heat intensifies its nutty flavor. Cook until the milk solids at the bottom turn brown. Brush on vegetables, fish, and more.
Herb Butter Steaks
Coat steaks with a compound herb butter before searing. Try thyme, rosemary, sage or a blend. Baste again with some of the melted butter as they cook.
Lemon Garlic Butter Shrimp
Saute shrimp in lemon garlic butter over high heat until opaque. Toss with pasta or serve as an appetizer.
Butter-Poached Corn
Boil corn cobs in salted butter and water on the Blackstone. The corn absorbs tons of butter flavor.
Conclusion
Using butter on a Blackstone griddle not only works well, but also delivers delicious flavor. Melting butter on the hot cooktop allows it to fully coat and caramelize on a variety of foods. While butter can burn easier than oil, paying attention to the heat and using a combo of butter and oil minimizes risks. Simple cleaning afterwards keeps the griddle surface in top shape for the next butter cooking session. Try basting steaks, brushing veggies, and spreading on breads to take your Blackstone meals to the next level with the rich taste of butter.