Garlic Butter With Herbs Recipe

I will show you how to make a batch of delicious garlic butter with herbs at home in just 10 minutes! This creamy, flavor-packed compound butter is perfect for bread, steak, pasta, seafood, and more. Easy, foolproof recipe.

Garlic Herbed Compound Butter

If there is one condiment that can make almost any dish taste as if it came from a restaurant kitchen, it is garlic butter with herbs. Whether you are spreading it on a warm baguette, melting it over a sizzling steak, or tossing it through a bowl of fresh pasta, this rich and fragrant butter does the heavy lifting every single time.

The best part? You only need a handful of simple ingredients and about 10 minutes to make it. Once you have a batch of homemade garlic herb butter in your fridge, you will find yourself reaching for it constantly.

It is the kind of recipe that sounds simple but completely transforms the food you put it on.

What Is Garlic Butter?

Garlic butter with herbs is a type of compound butter, which is simply softened butter mixed with flavorings.

In this case, the flavorings are fresh or dried garlic, a blend of aromatic herbs such as parsley, rosemary, and thyme, and a pinch of salt and pepper.

It is a staple in French cooking, where it is known as "beurre maître d'hôtel," and it has been used in professional kitchens for centuries.

It is one of the easiest ways to add bold, savory flavor to everyday meals. Think of it as a flavor bomb you can keep in your fridge or freezer and pull out whenever you need to make a dish that hits.

You can use it as a condiment in countless ways to enhance the taste of your favorite foods, like grilled meats, roasted vegetables, or simply spread it on toasted bread. The possibilities are endless!

Your choice of herbs depends on personal preferences and how you intend to use the butter. The common herbs used in this recipe include parsley, chives, rosemary, thyme, basil, and dill. The combination of herbs adds layers of complexity to the butter's flavor profile, creating a harmonious blend of earthy, fresh, and aromatic notes.

What you'll love about this recipe

• It takes 10 minutes to make. No special skills needed, just a bowl and a fork.
• It uses simple ingredients. Butter, garlic, herbs, and salt. That is it!
• It's very versatile. Use it on bread, steak, chicken, pasta, vegetables, seafood, and more.
• It stores beautifully. Keep it in the fridge for up to two weeks or freeze it for three months.
• It is endlessly customizable. Swap herbs, add lemon zest, toss in some spice. The variations are endless.
• It makes everything taste better. Seriously, everything.

If you have been relying on store-bought garlic butter spreads, making your own at home is a complete game changer. The flavor is fresher, richer, and far more vibrant.

Ingredients for Making Garlic Herb Butter 

1. Unsalted butter: This recipe uses butter as the base, providing a creamy texture. Unsalted butter is commonly used for control, while salted butter offers a slightly saltier taste.
2. Garlic: fresh and finely minced, adds a bold, spicy flavor to this recipe, infusing a delightful aroma into the butter.
3. Rosemary: for its strong, woody, and aromatic flavor.
4. Thyme: for its subtle earthy and slightly floral scent.
5. Parsley: is a versatile herb that provides a fresh and mildly peppery flavor to various dishes.
6. Salt and black pepper to taste

How to Make Garlic Herbed Butter

1. Place the room-temperature butter in a medium bowl. This is important as it needs to be soft for you to incorporate the other ingredients easily.
2. Add the minced garlic to the butter. Ensure the garlic is evenly distributed throughout the butter.
3. Add in the fresh rosemary, thyme, and parsley. Mix until the herbs are well incorporated into the butter.
4. Season the butter with salt and pepper. Stir until well combined.
5. Once well mixed, place it on a sheet of plastic wrap. Roll the butter in the plastic wrap, shaping it into a log. Twist the ends of the wrap to secure it.
6. Refrigerate the butter for at least 2 hours to allow the flavors to meld together. It can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 1 week or in the freezer for up to 2 months.
7. To use, slice a piece directly from the log and apply it on warm toast, grilled meats, or vegetables. 
8. Enjoy the rich, buttery goodness!

How to store

You can store the Herbed garlic butter in various ways to maintain its freshness and flavor.

• You can store it in an airtight container or wrap it tightly in plastic wrap and use it within a week.
• You can also freeze it.
• Labeling the container with the contents and date of preparation helps track freshness.
• You can thaw the Frozen butter in the refrigerator or cut it into slices.
• To prevent flavor transfer, double-wrap or store in an airtight container.

Proper storage ensures the butter retains its quality, and you can enjoy it over an extended period.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use salted butter? You can, but using unsalted butter allows you to control the salt content more accurately.

How long does herbed garlic butter last? It can last for about two weeks in the refrigerator and up to six months in the freezer.

Can I freeze garlic butter? Yes, garlic butter can be frozen for extended storage, either tightly wrapped in plastic wrap or aluminum foil or placed in an airtight container, allowing for several months of preservation.

Is garlic butter suitable for people with dairy allergies? No, this recipe is not suitable for individuals with dairy allergies due to its dairy content, but dairy-free alternatives are available for those with dietary restrictions.

Tips

• Before mixing ingredients, soften the butter at room temperature for easier work and more evenly blended results.
• Finely mince or crush garlic cloves using a garlic press or a sharp knife to distribute garlic flavor evenly.
• To prevent flavor loss, store herbed garlic butter in an airtight container or tightly wrap it to prevent air exposure.
• Experiment with different herb combinations to suit your taste preferences.
• Add a pinch of red pepper flakes for a spicy kick.

Ingredient Notes and Substitutions

Butter: Use unsalted butter so you can control the salt level yourself. If you only have salted butter, skip the added salt and taste as you go. For the richest flavor, go for a high-quality European-style butter like Kerrygold, which has a higher fat content than standard American butter.

Garlic: Fresh garlic gives the best flavor. Grating it on a microplane rather than mincing it creates a smoother texture and a more even distribution of flavor throughout the butter. If you want a milder, sweeter garlic flavor, roasted garlic is a fantastic substitute. You can also use garlic powder in a pinch — about ½ teaspoon will do.

Herbs: Parsley, chives, and thyme is a classic combination, but this is one of the most flexible parts of the recipe. See the Variations section below for more ideas. If you are using dried herbs instead of fresh, use about one-third of the amount since dried herbs are more concentrated.

How to Store Garlic Herb Butter

In the fridge: Wrap the butter log tightly in a parchment paper or store it in an airtight container. It will keep in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks.

In the freezer: Wrap the log in parchment paper and then again in aluminum foil or place it in a freezer-safe bag. Garlic herb butter freezes beautifully for up to 3 months. Slice off rounds directly from frozen. They thaw in minutes on hot food.

Can You Freeze Garlic Butter with Herbs?

Yes, garlic butter with herbs freezes very well. Roll it into a log, wrap it tightly in parchment paper and foil, and freeze for up to 3 months. Slice off what you need directly from frozen. The rounds thaw quickly when placed on warm food, so there is no need to defrost the whole log.

How to use

Herbed Garlic Butter is a versatile ingredient that can boost the flavor of many dishes. Consider serving it with:

• Steak: Place a generous pat of herbed garlic butter on a hot, grilled steak before serving. As the butter melts, it creates a flavorful and luxurious sauce.
• Roasted Vegetables: Toss roasted vegetables like carrots, potatoes, or asparagus with herbed garlic butter for a burst of flavor and a glossy finish.
• Grilled Seafood: Brush onto fish fillets or shrimp before grilling. The butter adds moisture and a delightful herbal aroma.
• Pasta: Toss hot cooked pasta with herbed garlic butter and a handful of grated Parmesan cheese for a simple yet flavorful pasta dish.
• Bread: Spread on slices of crusty bread or rolls and toast them for a savory and aromatic side dish.
• Chicken: Use to baste poultry like chicken or turkey while roasting, infusing the meat with delightful flavors.
• Sauteing: Cook vegetables or mushrooms in herbed garlic butter for a quick, tasty side dish.
• Potatoes: Melt over boiled or mashed potatoes for a decadent twist on a classic side. 

Other CondimentsYou might like:

• Niter Kibbeh Ethiopian Spiced Clarified Butter
• How To Make Steak Bites
• Garlic Herb Butter Roast Chicken

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