How to Melt Butter in The Microwave: the Right Way to Do It For Every Recipe Without Making a Mess

Many recipes call for melted butter, and while using a stovetop is always a straightforward way to achieve this, sometimes you might be in a hurry and want to use the microwave. It should be straightforward, but then you find yourself with a greasy mess and your butter has exploded! Is there a way to do it quickly and correctly? Yes!

Why Does Butter Explode in the Microwave?

First of all, let’s address the elephant in the room – or rather, the butter splatters in your microwave. Butter tends to explode in the microwave because it’s composed of fat and water. When you heat it, the water turns into steam, and if it heats too quickly, the steam builds up pressure and eventually bursts through the fat, causing an explosion of buttery goodness all over the inside of your microwave. Not exactly the kind of culinary fireworks you want, right?

How to Correctly Melt Butter in the Microwave

Fear not, for there is a way to melt butter in the microwave without the explosive drama. Follow these steps to achieve perfectly melted butter every time:

1. Start by cutting the butter into small, even pieces. This helps it melt more evenly and reduces the risk of overheating any one spot.
2. Place the butter pieces in a microwave-safe bowl. Glass or ceramic bowls work best as they distribute heat more evenly.
3. Cover the bowl with a microwave-safe lid or a paper towel. This traps steam and prevents it from escaping too quickly, reducing the risk of splattering.
4. Microwave the butter on a low setting (about 30% power) in short bursts of 10-15 seconds. After each burst, stir the butter to help it melt evenly and release any built-up steam.
5. Continue heating and stirring until the butter is completely melted. It should be smooth and liquid without any chunks remaining.

Melted butter can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to two weeks. However, for the best flavor and texture, it’s recommended to use it within a week.

Can All Types of Butter Be Melted?

When it comes to melting different types of butter, you’re in luck – all types can be melted using the microwave method. Whether it’s salted butter, unsalted butter, or even flavored butter, the process remains the same. Just be mindful of the flavor profiles; for example, melting a garlic herb butter might impart a strong flavor to your dish.

Melted Butter vs. Solid Butter Measurements

Finally, let’s tackle the question of measuring melted butter versus solid butter. Is a cup of melted butter the same as a cup of solid butter? The short answer is yes, but with a slight caveat. Butter is approximately 80% fat and 20% water, so when you melt it, you’re not losing any of its volume – just changing its state from solid to liquid.

However, because melted butter is more dense, it’s often easier to measure it in its solid form before melting. For most recipes, 1 cup of solid butter will yield 1 cup of melted butter. If a recipe calls for a specific amount of melted butter, you can melt it first and then measure it out to ensure precision.