Easy Garlic Herb Butter Recipe for Flavorful Meals

Ever wondered why some dishes just burst with flavor? The secret often lies in the details – like a good garlic herb butter recipe! Whether you're whipping up dinner rolls or grilling steaks, this compound butter can elevate your meals effortlessly.

I love making homemade garlic herb butter because it's so versatile and easy. You only need softened unsalted butter, minced garlic, finely chopped fresh herbs like parsley and chives, salt, and pepper. Mix it all together until smooth!

The best part? You can shape it into a log using plastic wrap or parchment paper and store it in the fridge or freezer for later use. Ready to transform your cooking?

Table of Contents:

• Garlic Herb Butter Recipe
  • Ingredients
  • Instructions
  • Storing Garlic Herb Butter
• Tips for Making the Best Garlic Herb Butter
  • Choosing the Right Butter
  • Using Fresh Herbs
  • Softening the Butter
  • Finely Chopping Herbs
• Variations and Substitutions
  • Salted vs Unsalted Butter
  • Adding Lemon Zest
  • Using Dried Herbs
  • Adjusting Salt and Pepper
• Serving Suggestions
  • Garlic Bread
  • Dinner Rolls
  • Roasted Vegetables
  • Grilled Meats
• Storing and Freezing
  • Refrigerator Storage
  • Freezer Storage
  • Shaping the Butter
• Conclusion

Garlic Herb Butter Recipe

If you're looking for a simple way to elevate your cooking, this garlic herb butter recipe is a game-changer. Compound butter is a fancy term for flavored butter, and it's incredibly easy to make at home.

I've been making my own homemade garlic butter for years, and it never fails to impress. The best part? You only need a few simple ingredients to whip up a batch of this flavorful spread.

Ingredients

• 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 4-6 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 tablespoons finely chopped fresh herbs (such as parsley, chives, thyme, or rosemary)
• 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
• 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

Instructions

1. In a medium bowl, mix the softened butter, minced garlic, chopped herbs, salt, and pepper until well combined.
2. Transfer the mixture to a sheet of plastic wrap or parchment paper. Roll into a log shape and twist the ends to seal.
3. Refrigerate the garlic herb butter log for at least an hour, or until firm.
4. Slice the butter into rounds and serve as desired.

Storing Garlic Herb Butter

Homemade herb butter can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks or in the freezer for up to 6 months. To freeze, wrap the log tightly in plastic wrap, then place it in a freezer-safe bag or container.

When you're ready to use the frozen butter, simply thaw it in the refrigerator overnight. Trust me, having a stash of this flavorful butter on hand is a lifesaver when you need to add a pop of flavor to a dish.

Tips for Making the Best Garlic Herb Butter

Over the years, I've learned a few tricks to ensure my compound butter turns out perfect every time. Here are some of my top tips:

Choosing the Right Butter

When it comes to making flavored butter, quality butter is key. I recommend using a high-quality, unsalted butter for the best flavor and texture.

European-style butters, like Kerrygold or Plugrá, have a higher fat content and richer taste, making them ideal for compound butters.

Using Fresh Herbs

While you can use dried herbs in a pinch, fresh herbs really make this garlic herb butter shine. I love using a combination of parsley, chives, and thyme, but feel free to experiment with your favorite herbs.

Just remember to finely chop the herbs so they distribute evenly throughout the butter.

Softening the Butter

For the best results, make sure your butter is softened to room temperature before mixing in the herbs and garlic. This ensures a smooth, creamy texture and allows the flavors to meld together seamlessly.

If you're short on time, you can soften the butter in the microwave using 50% power in 10-second increments until it's soft but not melted.

Finely Chopping Herbs

To release the maximum flavor from your fresh herbs, be sure to chop them finely before adding them to the butter. This also helps distribute the herbs evenly throughout the mixture.

If you have a sharp knife and a little patience, you can achieve a fine chop by hand. Alternatively, you can use a food processor or herb scissors to make the task quicker and easier.

Variations and Substitutions

One of the best things about this garlic herb butter recipe is its versatility. Here are a few ways you can customize it to suit your tastes:

Salted vs Unsalted Butter

While I prefer using unsalted butter to control the salt content, you can use salted butter if that's what you have on hand. Just be sure to adjust the amount of added salt accordingly.

If using salted butter, start with 1/4 teaspoon of salt and adjust to taste.

Adding Lemon Zest

For a bright, citrusy twist, try adding some lemon zest to your garlic herb butter. The zest of one lemon should be plenty for this recipe.

Simply mix the lemon zest in with the herbs, garlic, and butter until well combined. The lemon adds a fresh, zingy flavor that pairs beautifully with seafood, vegetables, and poultry.

Using Dried Herbs

If you don't have access to fresh herbs, you can substitute dried herbs in a pinch. As a general rule, use about 1/3 the amount of dried herbs as you would fresh.

For this recipe, that would mean using about 2 teaspoons of dried herbs in place of the 2 tablespoons of fresh herbs. Keep in mind that dried herbs have a more concentrated flavor, so start with less and adjust to taste.

Adjusting Salt and Pepper

The amount of kosher salt and black pepper in this recipe is a starting point, but feel free to adjust the seasoning to your liking. Taste the butter mixture before shaping it into a log and add more salt or pepper as needed.

Remember, the flavors will intensify as the butter chills, so err on the side of caution when seasoning.

Serving Suggestions

Now that you've mastered the art of making garlic herb butter, it's time to put it to good use. Here are some of my favorite ways to serve this flavorful spread:

Garlic Bread

Is there anything better than warm, crusty garlic bread? Spread a generous amount of garlic herb butter on sliced baguette or Italian bread, then bake until golden and crispy.

For an extra indulgent treat, sprinkle some grated Parmesan cheese on top before baking.

Dinner Rolls

Take your dinner rolls to the next level by brushing them with melted garlic herb butter before serving. The butter will soak into the warm rolls, infusing them with a delicious garlic and herb flavor.

This simple trick is sure to impress your dinner guests and have them reaching for seconds.

Roasted Vegetables

Garlic herb butter is the perfect finishing touch for roasted vegetables like sweet potatoes, carrots, and Brussels sprouts. Toss the cooked vegetables with a dollop of the flavored butter, and watch as it melts into a glossy, flavorful coating.

The butter adds a rich, savory note that complements the natural sweetness of the vegetables.

Grilled Meats

Take your grilled steaks, chicken, or seafood to the next level by topping them with a pat of garlic herb butter just before serving. As the butter melts, it creates a luscious sauce that enhances the smoky, charred flavors of the grilled meat.

I especially love using this compound butter on grilled ribeye steaks – the combination of the juicy, tender meat and the garlicky, herbaceous butter is simply irresistible.

Storing and Freezing

One of the best things about this garlic herb butter recipe is that it can be made ahead of time and stored for later use. Here's what you need to know:

Refrigerator Storage

Homemade garlic herb butter can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks. Wrap the butter log tightly in plastic wrap or store it in an airtight container to prevent it from absorbing other flavors in the fridge.

When you're ready to use the butter, simply slice off the amount you need and let it come to room temperature for easy spreading.

Freezer Storage

If you want to keep your compound butter for longer than 2 weeks, you can store it in the freezer for up to 6 months. Wrap the butter log tightly in plastic wrap, then place it in a freezer-safe bag or container.

To use frozen garlic herb butter, thaw it in the refrigerator overnight, or let it sit at room temperature for a few hours until it's soft enough to slice.

Shaping the Butter

While a log shape is the most common way to store compound butter, you can also get creative with your presentation. Try using silicone molds or ice cube trays to create individual butter portions in fun shapes.

You can also roll the butter into a cylinder using parchment paper, then slice it into rounds for an attractive presentation. No matter how you shape it, this flavorful butter is sure to impress.

Key Takeaway: 

This garlic herb butter recipe is a simple way to elevate your dishes. With just a few ingredients, you can create flavorful compound butter at home. Store it in the fridge or freezer for easy access when needed.

Conclusion

So there you have it – an easy yet powerful way to enhance any dish with our simple garlic herb butter recipe. This little gem of flavorful goodness makes everything better from breakfast toast to roasted vegetables at dinner time.

Don't let its simplicity fool you; once you've tried adding this rich buttery blend into your meals regularly... well let's say you'll wonder how on earth did I ever cook without it before?!