Herbed garlic butter is a versatile and delectable addition to your kitchen repertoire. Whether you're grilling steak, roasting vegetables, or spreading it on a warm slice of bread, this compound butter will infuse your dishes with a burst of flavor.
What Is Garlic Butter?
Garlic butter, also known as compound butter, is a mixture of butter, fresh garlic, and an assortment of herbs. This delightful combination blends the richness of butter with the aromatic essence of garlic and the freshness of herbs, resulting in a spreadable infusion that can enhance various dishes. 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!
The base ingredient of herbed garlic butter is unsalted butter mixed with various herbs and garlic. 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
- Flavor Enhancement: Herbed garlic butter brings a burst of flavor to your dishes. The combination of garlic's savory notes and fresh herbs' fragrant essence creates a taste sensation that's hard to beat.
- Versatility: This compound butter is incredibly versatile. You can use it as a topping for steaks, poultry, or seafood. It's perfect for roasting vegetables or tossing with pasta. You can also spread it on bread, use it as a sauce base, or even melt it over popcorn for a unique movie night treat.
- Make-Ahead Convenience: Preparing herbed garlic butter in advance is a time-saving hack. Having a batch in your fridge means you're always a step away from adding a gourmet touch to your meals.
Ingredients for Making Garlic Herb Butter
- 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.
- Garlic: fresh and finely minced, adds a bold, spicy flavor to this recipe, infusing a delightful aroma into the butter.
- Rosemary: for its strong, woody, and aromatic flavor.
- Thyme: for its subtle earthy and slightly floral scent.
- Parsley: is a versatile herb that provides a fresh and mildly peppery flavor to various dishes.
- Salt and black pepper to taste
How to Make Garlic Herbed Butter
- 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.
- Add the minced garlic to the butter. Ensure the garlic is evenly distributed throughout the butter.
- Add in the fresh rosemary, thyme, and parsley. Mix until the herbs are well incorporated into the butter.
- Season the butter with salt and pepper. Stir until well combined.
- 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.
- 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.
- To use, slice a piece directly from the log and apply it on warm toast, grilled meats, or vegetables.
- 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.
Substitutes
If you're out of fresh herbs, you can use dried herbs. However, fresh herbs provide a more vibrant flavor.
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
Herbed Garlic Butter Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 cup unsalted butter at room temperature
- 4 cloves garlic minced
- 1 tablespoon fresh rosemary finely chopped
- 1 tablespoon fresh thyme finely chopped
- 1 tablespoon fresh parsley finely chopped
- Salt and black pepper to taste
Instructions
- Place the room temperature butter in a medium bowl. This is important as it needs to be soft for you to be able to easily incorporate the other ingredients.
- Add the minced garlic to the butter. Ensure the garlic is evenly distributed throughout the butter.
- Add in the fresh rosemary, thyme, and parsley. Mix until the herbs are well incorporated into the butter.
- Season the butter with salt and pepper. Stir until well combined.
- 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.
- 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.
- To use, slice a piece directly from the log and apply it on warm toast, grilled meats, or vegetables. Enjoy the rich, buttery goodness!
Notes
- Use high-quality butter, fresh garlic, and your choice of herbs to create a flavorful butter.
- Before mixing ingredients, soften the butter at room temperature for easier work and more evenly blended results.
- To evenly distribute garlic flavor, finely mince or crush garlic cloves using a garlic press or a sharp knife.
- To prevent flavor loss, store herbed garlic butter in an airtight container or tightly wrap it to prevent air exposure.
- Herbed garlic butter is a delicious and elegant finishing touch for grilled meats, vegetables, or pasta dishes, adding a burst of flavor.
- Spread herbed garlic butter on freshly baked bread or rolls for a quick and delicious appetizer or accompaniment to a meal.
Nutrition
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