Chili Lime Compound Butter for Grilling

03 Oct 2026

A bold, bright chili lime compound butter recipe built for grilling season - corn, shrimp, chicken, and tacos.

Chili lime compound butter is built specifically with grilling season in mind - bold, bright, and a little spicy, made to melt over corn, grilled meat, or shrimp straight off the heat.

Chili Lime Compound Butter

Prep time: 10 minutes, plus chilling | Makes: about 1 cup

Ingredients

1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
2 tsp chili powder
1 tsp smoked paprika
2 tsp lime zest
1 tbsp fresh lime juice
1 garlic clove, very finely minced
1/2 tsp salt, or to taste
2 tbsp fresh cilantro, finely chopped (optional)

Instructions

In a medium bowl, mash the softened butter with a fork until smooth.
Add the chili powder, smoked paprika, lime zest, lime juice, garlic, salt, and cilantro if using. Mix thoroughly until evenly combined.
Spoon onto parchment paper or plastic wrap and roll into a log, twisting the ends to seal.
Refrigerate for at least 1 hour before slicing, or freeze for longer storage.

Notes

Because this version includes lime juice as well as zest, it may take slightly longer to firm up in the fridge than a purely zest-based butter - be patient and give it the full hour, or longer if needed.

Why This Combination Works

Chili powder and smoked paprika bring warmth and a hint of smokiness, while lime's acidity keeps the whole thing from feeling heavy - a genuinely well-balanced combination of heat, smoke, and brightness that holds up well against grilled food's own smoky char.

What to Use It On

Melted over grilled corn on the cob
Melted over grilled shrimp or fish
Spread on grilled chicken right off the grill
Tossed with roasted or grilled sweet potatoes
Melted over black bean or vegetarian tacos

Variations

Spicier version: Add a pinch of cayenne or a small amount of finely minced fresh chili for more heat.
Chipotle version: Substitute a small amount of minced chipotle in adobo for the chili powder for a deeper, smokier heat.
Honey lime version: A teaspoon of honey balances the heat with a bit of sweetness, especially good over corn.

This is one of the best options in this series for outdoor grilling season specifically. For more, see the complete compound butter guide.