What is drawn butter?

Drawn butter is melted butter from which the milk solids and water are removed, leaving behind an oily, gold-colored sauce. Drawn butter may also be called clarified butter.

Drawn butter is often served as a dipping sauce for seafood or artichokes. It is made by melting unsalted butter and heating it until the milk solids float to the top and form a foam on top of the butter. The milk solids can then be skimmed off and discarded. The remaining liquid is made entirely of butter fat. It is lactose-free and does not brown or burn as easily as regular butter.