You can make this easy Garlic Herb Butter recipe with just a few ingredients and it goes perfectly in so many different dishes!
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Why You'll Love This Recipe
This simple Garlic Butter Herb recipe is super easy to make and only requires only a handful of ingredients that you probably already have at home.
You can make it ahead of time because it stores well in the fridge or freezer. Just cut off a portion whenever you want to add a burst of flavor to a dish.
You can use this garlic herb butter for steak, chicken, potatoes, seafood, or roasted vegetables. Or use it to make the best garlic bread you'll ever taste!
What You'll Need
- Butter - I love the richness of Kerrygold butter, but any brand will do. Unsalted butter is best so you can control the salt content yourself.
- Garlic - Skip the jarred garlic and buy a bulb of fresh garlic so you can mince or press it yourself. The difference in flavor is staggering.
- Fresh Parsley - Chopped finely so it easily mixes into the butter.
- Salt - Kosher salt is preferred but table salt will work in a pinch.
Substitutions and Variations
This is a very basic recipe for garlic herb butter, but you can customize it in many ways.
I really enjoy the surprising hint of flavor the lemon zest provides but you can leave it out if you want.
You can also try mixing and matching various herbs to get a different flavor profile. Some options to try include rosemary, thyme, basil, cilantro, dill, or chives. Pick the herbs you like best and make your own blend.
Or add some freshly grated parmesan cheese to give your compound butter a hint of nuttiness.
How To Make Garlic Herb Butter
Start by prepping all your ingredients. Make sure your butter is softened to mix. You should be able to push your finger into it with no effort at all.
Chop the parsley as finely as possible. Tiny pieces will mix better.
Run three or four good-sized cloves of garlic through a garlic press like this one. I prefer a press because it turns the garlic into a pulp that blends perfectly with the butter. If you don't have one you can use a sharp knife to mince the garlic instead.
Add the softened butter to a bowl along with the garlic, parsley, salt, and lemon zest. Use a hand mixer or silicone spatula to mix everything together until it reaches a uniform consistency.
You can use it immediately or store in the fridge until needed. Scoop it onto a sheet of wax paper and roll into a log and then cut into slices as needed. Or place in a food storage container and pop it in the fridge
Serving Suggestions
Garlic Herb Butter is super versatile and pairs well with many meals. Here are just a few suggestions to get your imagination going:
- Steak
- Roasted chicken
- Garlic bread
- Baked or mashed potatoes
- Shrimp
- Salmon
- Grilled corn on the cob
- Sheet pan
- Sheet pan roasted vegetables
- Over pasta to create a buttery garlic sauce
- Toasted bagels
Frequently Asked Questions
If properly stored, garlic compound butter will keep in the fridge for about two weeks. It will keep in the freezer for about three months.
Garlic herb butter can be placed on a sheet of wax paper or plastic wrap and rolled into a log and then placed in the refrigerator. Another option is to scoop the compound butter into an airtight container.
You can use dried herbs to make garlic herb butter, but you'll get a much better result with fresh herbs. If you're using dried herbs, you'll need to reduce the amount because dried herbs a more concentrated flavor. For example, instead of a tablespoon of fresh parsley you'd use a teaspoon of fried parsley.
Garlic Herb Butter Recipe
Equipment
Ingredients
- 8 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1 tablespoon garlic (pressed or minced) about 3 or 4 garlic cloves
- 1 tablespoon chopped parsley
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
Instructions
- Place softened butter in a bowl with chopped parsley, garlic, and salt.
- Use an electric hand mixer or silicon spatula to mix until ingredients are combined.
- Use immediately or store in the refrigerator until needed.
Notes
- Scoop the garlic herb butter onto a sheet of wax paper and roll into a log and then cut into slices as needed.
- Alternatively, store in a airtight food storage container.
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