buttered

Buttered is the past participle form of butter used as an adjective or verb to describe something that has been coated, enriched, or prepared with butter. In cooking, items described as buttered have been spread with melted butter or cooked in butter to impart flavor, moisture, and a smooth texture.

Common uses include buttered bread or toast, where butter is spread on warm bread; buttered vegetables, which are briefly sautéed or finished with melted butter; and buttered pasta, where hot noodles are tossed with butter to create a glossy, flavorful coating. Butter is also used to finish sauces by whisking in small portions of cold butter to enrich and emulsify the mixture, a technique known as finishing with butter. Buttered popcorn and buttered potatoes are other widely known applications.

Butter used for these purposes varies in form and production. Salted and unsalted butters are both common, with salted versions often preferred for flavor contrast. Some recipes call for clarified butter or ghee, which have different textures and smoke points and may not be described as simply “buttered.” Browning butter, or making beurre noisette, is a related technique that yields a nutty flavor and is used to finish or flavor buttered dishes.

Nutrition and storage notes are typical for dairy products. Butter is high in saturated fat and calories, so moderation is common in dietary guidance. It should be refrigerated and can be frozen for longer storage. Buttered preparations are a staple in many Western cuisines and appear in countless recipes and everyday meals.