You will never buy garlic butter again when you see how simple it is to make at home! Using only 5 ingredients, you’ll be using this flavorful spread non-stop for steaks, pasta and so much more!
About this recipe:
This garlic butter recipe will up level so many of your family favorite dishes! Filled with minced garlic and aromatic herbs, add it to so many mid week meals to pack an extra flavorful punch.
Whether you need something to spread on golden, toasted bread or want to make your meat or seafood more exciting, this recipe is for you.
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Ingredients
- Butter
- Garlic
- Thyme
- Rosemary
- Parsley
See recipe card for quantities.
Step by step pictures:
- Step 1: In a food processor or pestle and mortar, add your butter, garlic, parsley, thyme and rosemary.
- Step 2: Blend until fully combined.
- Step 3: Spoon out the mixture onto cling film.
- Step 4: Form into a log by gently rolling and shaping. Twist the ends of the cling film to maintain freshness.
What can I use this for?
Garlic butter is so incredibly versatile and can be added to so many dishes. Here are a few ideas:
- Pasta: Toss it with your favorite pasta for a simple yet flavorful dish. Why not pair it with Pasta Bolognese, Penne Al Puttanesca, Nduja pasta or Tomato Mascarpone.
- Bread: Spread it on warm, toasted bread or make garlic bread by slathering it on a baguette and baking it in the oven. Try my Garlic Bread recipe here.
- Seafood and fish: Drizzle it over shrimp, lobster, or crab. Garlic butter pairs especially well with seafood. Melt over Pan Seared Sea Bass or Seafood Pancakes.
- Steak: Top this Ribeye Steak with a dollop of garlic butter.
- Vegetables: Use it to sauté or roast vegetables like broccoli and asparagus or melt onto these Perfectly Creamy Mashed Potatoes.
Variations
The simplicity of this recipe comes from only needing 5 ingredients, but there are still plenty of ways to add extra flavors to your garlic butter to suit your tastes. Here are some ideas:
- Lemon Garlic Butter: Add zest and juice of lemon to your garlic butter. The citrusy kick will balance out the richness of the butter and garlic, creating a fresh and tangy flavor.
- Spicy Garlic Butter: Add a little crushed red pepper flakes, chili powder, or even a dash of cayenne pepper to give it some heat.
- Parmesan Garlic Butter: Stir in some grated Parmesan cheese for a nutty, savory twist. This works well for pasta, bread, and even steaks. You can also add garlic powder and a pinch of salt to enhance the cheesy flavor.
- Truffle Garlic Butter: Add a drizzle of truffle oil or mix in some finely grated truffle for a luxurious flavor.
Storage
Refrigeration: Place in an airtight container: Transfer the garlic butter into a small, airtight container or jar. This will keep it fresh in the fridge for up to 1-2 weeks.
Wrap in parchment paper or plastic wrap: If you prefer, you can form the garlic butter into a log using parchment paper or plastic wrap, which is great if you plan to slice off portions as needed. It will last in the fridge for about 1-2 weeks as well.
Top Tip
If you are planning to use this garlic butter for spreading and not sautéing and baking then the rawness of the garlic can sometimes come through. Luckily there’s an easy solution! Before you add your chopped garlic to the food processor, mince it together with some flaky sea salt using the flat side of a knife. This will help dull the rawness of the garlic if you’re not cooking with it.
FAQ
Yes, garlic powder can be used as a substitute for fresh garlic, though the flavor might be slightly different. Use about ¼ teaspoon of garlic powder for every clove of garlic.
If your butter is too hard, let it sit at room temperature for about 30 minutes to soften. Alternatively, you can microwave it for a few seconds (in short intervals) until softened, but be careful not to melt it.
Yes, you can definitely use dried herbs! Dried herbs like oregano, thyme, rosemary, or parsley work well and can provide great flavor. However, because dried herbs tend to be more concentrated than fresh ones, you’ll want to use less.
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Recipe
Garlic Butter
You will never buy garlic butter again when you see how simple it is to make at home!
Ingredients
- ⅔ cups (150g) unsalted butter
- 3 gloves garlic
- 2 sprigs of thyme
- 2 sprigs of rosemary
- 1 small bunch of parsley
Instructions
- Add your room temperature butter, chopped garlic, thyme, rosemary and parsley to a food processor.
- Blend until all the ingredients are combined.
- Place a square of cling film on a flat surface and spoon your butter into a log shape.
- Fold one side of the cling film over the butter and gently shape into a smooth roll.
- When you’re happy with the shape, seal with the rest of the cling film by continuing to roll and twisting the sides to seal for freshness.
- Place in the fridge for at least 2 hours to solidify the shape of the butter ready for serving with whatever you like!
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 5 Serving Size: 1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 100Total Fat: 11gSaturated Fat: 6.8gTrans Fat: 0.4gUnsaturated Fat: 3gCholesterol: 28mgSodium: 130mgCarbohydrates: 1gFiber: 0gSugar: 0gProtein: 0g