We independently review everything we recommend. When you buy through our links, we may earn a commission.

Is Butter A Condiment?

Norah Clark
Portion of butter.

Norah Clark

Norah Clark, Editor of Boyd Hampers! Norah is a food writer with over a decade of experience in hospitality as a pastry chef, sous chef, and barista; former chef at the Savoy Hotel, Ritz Carlton, Four Seasons and Plaza Hotel.

Butter is both an ingredient and a condiment. Read on to discover why.

A condiment is a substance added to food items after it is cooked. They can be made up of condiments or spices and are typically placed on the table with the served food.

Some of the most well-known condiments are salt, pepper, ketchup, hot sauce, and vinegar. These increase the food’s flavor and enhances the taste according to your preferences.

Butter, however, is a baffling one because it is employed in preparation, cooking, and added later to make the dish more tasty; because it is used to enhance a meal means it can be considered a condiment.

Salt and pepper are used in the cooking process and are ingredients in this case. But they are also condiments because you can add them to food after it’s been cooked to enhance the flavor.

However, if it can be added to food items after the meal has been prepared and adds flavor, it is considered a condiment.

Is Butter Still Used As A Condiment?

Butter as a condiment isn’t as widespread as it was years ago, but it’s still available at many tables to enhance the flavor of food items after they’ve been cooked.

Butter is commonly used to lay a creamy foundation on a sandwich.

The most frequent uses for butter as a food ingredient include being served on toast and in baked goods like muffins and scones.

As an accompaniment to muffins and the like, there are often other condiments like cheese or jam.

Butter can be used to cook vegetables in and added to vegetables for extra flavor when eating. So, it's really both an ingredient and a condiment.  

While butter has developed over time, and today there are several variations, it’s still a very popular condiment and an ingredient that’s been in use for a long time.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Peanut Butter A Condiment?

Peanut butter can be used as an ingredient in some dishes and it is also used as a spread on bread products.

What Is The Oldest Condiment?

The oldest condiment in the world is believed to be mustard. It dates from the 4th century. It was created by mixing the chopped mustard, caraway seeds, coriander seeds, pepper, honey, oil, and other spices.

Salt, is it a herb or a spice?

Salt is not a herb since it is not grown in the soil. Since salt is used during the cooking process and can then be added to the served dish, it is both an ingredient and a condiment.

Salt is mined from the sea and you also get Himalayan Mountain salt, Most people would call it a spice. 

Back to Boyd Hampers Magazine

Leave a comment

Please note, comments need to be approved before they are published.

1 of 4