Gentlemen's Relish Recipe

This seasoned anchovy butter is delicious with just about everything, even if you're a mere commoner.

Updated October 01, 2023

Closeup of several quenelles of gentleman's relish surrounded by toasts, cucumber slices, and watercress. — Serious Eats / Sydney Oland

Why It Works

Butter moderates and carries the briny saltiness of the anchovy.
Cayenne, cinnamon, white pepper, and nutmeg add piquancy.

This classic condiment is a type of seasoned anchovy butter that is also known as Patum Peperium. The strong anchovy flavor is complemented by cayenne pepper and ground nutmeg, and fresh lemon juice cuts through both the butter and the anchovy to add just a little lightness to this intense compound butter. It may not be the prettiest thing that has ever come out of your kitchen, but as a quick snack on toast with sliced cucumbers, or an interesting condiment for baked potatoes, this humble butter will surely work its way into many of your favorite dishes.

One of my favorite things about this relish is how many different ways you can use it. For those of us who love anchovies, a simple tea sandwich made with this relish and watercress is heaven with some tea. But for those who aren't big fans of the hairy little fish, it still makes a great tool in your culinary arsenal. Using this to top a perfect grilled steak, or to sauté a few potatoes, adds that little bit of extra flavor that can elevate a simple dish into something to serve to your guests.

Making this relish is as simple as turning on your food processor, but if you don't have one, you can make it just as easily with a wooden spoon, a big bowl, and a few minutes.

November 2012

Recipe Details

Gentlemen's Relish Recipe

Prep 10 mins

Active 10 mins

Total 10 mins

Serves 16 to 20 servings

Makes 2 cups

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Ingredients

8 ounces (2 sticks) butter, room temperature
8 ounces (4 tins) flat anchovies, drained
1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon white pepper
1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
Dash of fresh grated nutmeg
2 teaspoons fresh lemon juice, plus more to taste
Kosher salt and cracked black pepper, to taste

Directions

Combine butter, anchovies, cinnamon, white pepper, cayenne pepper, nutmeg, and lemon juice in a food processor and pulse until well combined. Taste for seasoning and add additional salt, pepper, and lemon juice if necessary. Alternatively, mash butter with a wooden spoon in a large bowl and then finely chop the anchovies. Add anchovies, cinnamon, white pepper, cayenne pepper, nutmeg, and lemon juice to the bowl, and mix to combine. Season to taste with salt, pepper, and lemon juice and mix again.
Serious Eats / Sydney Oland
Use right away as a spread on toast with sliced cucumber or watercress, or use as an additional ingredient to a cottage pie or scrambled eggs, or as a salty condiment for a baked potato, and even as a topping for a seared steak.

Notes

Food processor (optional)

Make-Ahead and Storage

Gentlemen’s relish will keep in a sealed container in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks, or wrapped in plastic and frozen for up to 3 months.

Nutrition Facts (per serving)
106	Calories
10g	Fat
0g	Carbs
3g	Protein

Nutrition Facts
Servings: 16 to 20
Amount per serving
Calories	106
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 10g	13%
Saturated Fat 6g	30%
Cholesterol 34mg	11%
Sodium 505mg	22%
Total Carbohydrate 0g	0%
Dietary Fiber 0g	0%
Total Sugars 0g
Protein 3g
Vitamin C 0mg	1%
Calcium 30mg	2%
Iron 1mg	3%
Potassium 66mg	1%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.