Garlic Herb Butter Recipe - Savory Nothings (2024)

1 hour hr 10 minutes mins

| 2 Comments |

5 from 5 votes

Jump to Recipe | Updated: | by Nora

This homemade Garlic Herb Butter is easy to make and tastes delicious with steak, grilled chicken or with pasta. Seasoned with fresh herbs, garlic and lemon zest, it combines all of the best flavors you want in a compound butter!

Garlic Herb Butter Recipe - Savory Nothings (1)

I honestly can’t remember the last time I had steak without smothering it in this garlic herb butter – I know, a good cut of beef only needs salt and pepper… But honestly, this compound butter is too irresistible to me!

This makes a good amount, you can easily store leftovers in the fridge for a couple of days.

Ingredients you’ll need

Here is a visual overview of the ingredients in the recipe. Scroll down to the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post for quantities!

Garlic Herb Butter Recipe - Savory Nothings (2)

Ingredient notes

  • Herbs: Use soft herbs like parsley, basil, fresh oregano… for best results. My favorite combination is parsley and basil.
  • Garlic: I mostly use fresh garlic for this recipe, but roasted garlic is very delicious, too. You can also use just garlic powder if you don’t have fresh/want a more mild garlic flavor in your compound butter.
  • Worcestershire sauce: This absolutely “makes” the recipe for me, but if you don’t keep Worcestershire sauce on hand you can try using soy sauce as a substitute.
  • Lemon zest: This is optional, but lends a bright and refreshing touch to balance the flavor.

How to make Garlic Herb Butter

It’s so easy to make a compound butter at home:

  • Garlic Herb Butter Recipe - Savory Nothings (3)
  • Garlic Herb Butter Recipe - Savory Nothings (4)
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  • Garlic Herb Butter Recipe - Savory Nothings (6)
  1. Use a hand mixer to whip together all ingredients except for the chopped herbs (this works best if your butter is very soft, but not melted!).
  2. Add the herbs and mix them in on the lowest setting.
  3. Spread the compound butter into a log, about 8×1.5 inches in size, on a large piece of plastic wrap. Roll it up into a “sausage” shape, twist the ends and chill in the refrigerator for at least 1 hour before serving.
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Recipe tips

  • Soften butter: Make sure to use softened butter for this recipe, it yields a much smoother and more evenly seasoned result. If your butter is still chilled and you need to make the recipe ASAP, rinse a mixing bowl with hot water and invert it over the unwrapped butter. It should be soft within 5-10 minutes.
  • Garlic amount: If your garlic cloves are large, consider using just one. Fresh garlic can be a little difficult to predict, and in can increase in strength as the butter sits in the fridge. Keep this in mind and adjust the amount you add accordingly to suit your personal preferences.
  • Mixing: Make sure you only beat on low speed after adding the herbs and don’t overmix the butter at this point – you want to avoid crushing the chopped herbs.

Storage tips

Store leftovers wrapped in plastic wrap in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. I will often use leftover compound butter to toss with hot pasta because we rarely have steak two days in a row.

You can also freeze leftovers, tightly wrapped in plastic wrap and then aluminium foil, for up to 2 months. Please note that freezing will affect the texture of the herbs.

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Serving ideas

My family loves this garlic herb butter with air fryer steak. I also make it when I serve an admittedly decadent tomahawk steak, as pictured just above!

The compound butter is also delicious tossed with hot pasta, especially when served as a side for lemon garlic grilled chicken or with air fryer salmon. You can also serve it with Steak and Potato Foil Packets or Sausage and Potato Foil Packets to make a simple meal feel extra special!

PSIf you try this recipe, please leavea review in the comment section and add a star rating in the recipe card – I appreciate your feedback! Follow along onPinterest,FacebookorInstagram.

Printable recipe

Printable Recipe Card

Garlic Herb Butter Recipe - Savory Nothings (13)

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Garlic Herb Butter

This homemade Garlic Herb Butter is easy to make and tastes delicious with steak, grilled chicken or with pasta!

Recipe by Nora from Savory Nothings

made it? tap the stars to add your rating!

5 from 5 votes

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Recipe details

Prep 10 minutes mins

Chilling time 1 hour hr

Total 1 hour hr 10 minutes mins

Servings 12 servings

Difficulty Easy

Ingredients

  • 1 stick butter softened
  • 2 cloves garlic minced, see notes for tips
  • 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce OR soy sauce
  • 1 teaspoon finely grated lemon zest optional
  • ½ teaspoon dried garlic powder
  • salt & pepper to taste
  • ¼ cup fresh herbs chopped (I used a mix of parsley and basil; use only soft, leafy herbs for best results)

Instructions

  • Using a hand mixer on medium-high speed, beat butter with minced garlic, lemon zest, Worcestershire sauce, garlic powder, salt and pepper in a medium mixing bowl until creamy.

  • Add chopped herbs and mix on low speed until combined – do not overmix or herbs will end up too crushed.

  • Place a large piece of plastic wrap on counter. Spread compound butter in middle, creating a log sized about 8×1½ inches. Wrap plastic wrap around butter, rolling it up to create a "sausage" shape. Twist ends, then chill in refrigerator for at least 1 hour before unwrapping and slicing to serve.

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Notes

  • Garlic: I mostly use fresh garlic for this recipe, but roasted garlic is very delicious, too. You can also use just garlic powder if you don’t have fresh/want a more mild garlic flavor in your compound butter.
  • Garlic amount: If your garlic cloves are large, consider using just one. Fresh garlic can be a little difficult to predict, and in can increase in strength as the butter sits in the fridge. Keep this in mind and adjust the amount you add accordingly to suit your personal preferences.
  • Soften butter: Make sure to use softened butter for this recipe, it yields a much smoother and more evenly seasoned result. If your butter is still chilled and you need to make the recipe ASAP, rinse a mixing bowl with hot water and invert it over the unwrapped butter. It should be soft within 5-10 minutes.

Nutrition

Serving: 1servingCalories: 68kcalCarbohydrates: 1gProtein: 1gFat: 7gSaturated Fat: 5gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 2gTrans Fat: 1gCholesterol: 20mgSodium: 71mgPotassium: 17mgFiber: 1gSugar: 1gVitamin A: 335IUVitamin C: 2mgCalcium: 6mgIron: 1mg

Nutrition is an estimate.

More recipe information

Course: Condiment

Cuisine: American

More recipes for grilling season

  • Potato and Sausage Foil Packets
  • The Best Ever Steak Marinade
  • The Best Pork Chop Marinade
  • Balsamic Chicken Marinade

Or browse all of my grilling recipes!

Garlic Herb Butter Recipe - Savory Nothings (18)
About Nora
When I got married to my professional chef husband, I realized I had to step up my game in the kitchen. Now I share my favorite foolproof family recipes here on Savory Nothings: Chef-approved, kid-vetted and easy enough for everyday home cooks like you and me! Learn more.

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Comments

  1. Karen says

    Quick question, the recipe indicates 1 stick of butter. Is that 1/4 lb of butter or the entire pound of butter. Thanks.

    Reply

    • Nora says

      Karen, 1 stick is equal to 8 tablespoons or 1/4 pound. Hope this helps!

      Reply

Garlic Herb Butter Recipe - Savory Nothings (2024)

FAQs

What is garlic herb butter made of? ›

HOW TO MAKE GARLIC HERB BUTTER: Place the butter, parsley, thyme, chives, garlic, salt, and pepper in a medium-sized bowl. Stir together until fully combined. Lay out a large piece of plastic wrap.

What herb goes best with garlic? ›

Garlic is a versatile herb that pairs well with most spices and other seasonings. This includes Basil, Coriander, Parsley, Chili, Ginger, Italian Herbs, Dill and Turmeric. And of course salt and pepper, as well as lemon and lime.

Do garlic and thyme go together? ›

Garlic salt makes a great base for dry rubs. Toss it with any combination of dried herbs, a bit of crushed red pepper for heat and you're good to go. For sensational ribs, we mix garlic salt with thyme, marjoram, cumin, black pepper and a bit of brown sugar. Get ready to lick your fingers!

What does garlic butter contain? ›

In a small bowl, stir together the softened butter, parsley, garlic, and salt. Serve on toasted baguette or bake onto garlic bread.

How long does homemade garlic butter last? ›

Great news: Homemade garlic butter lasts a long time. Stored in the fridge, it'll keep for up to two weeks, while in the freezer it will last up to a year. Just be sure to wrap it well or store it in an airtight container so it doesn't pick up smells from your fridge or freezer.

How do you thicken garlic butter? ›

Garlic butter sauce is a rich, flavorful mixture made by sautéing garlic in melted butter over low heat until the butter is fully melted and minced garlic is lightly toasted. How do you thicken garlic butter sauce? To thicken, let the mixture simmer over low heat until it reduces, stirring frequently.

How to make your own butter? ›

Pour heavy cream into a food processor or blender. Process on high until butter separates, about 10 minutes. Strain off liquid, then press butter into a small bowl with the back of a spoon to further remove liquid. Season with salt.

What not to mix garlic with? ›

What should I avoid while taking garlic? Avoid taking fish oil or vitamin E while you are taking garlic. Also avoid using garlic together with other herbal/health supplements that can also affect blood-clotting.

What herb cancels out garlic? ›

Of all the options, mint makes the most sense, says Barringer. Mint has very high levels of phenolics, to begin with. For a chemist, it's easy to look at rosmarinic acid and garlic's sulphur compounds and see very clearly just how this bit here would attach to this bit there and produce a molecule with no smell at all.

Which herbs do not go together? ›

Which herbs do not go together?
HerbNot compatible with
Basil (Ocimum basilicum)Lemon balm (Melissa officinalis), mint (Mentha)
Parsley (Petroselinum crispum ssp. crispum)Chervil (Anthriscus), dill (Anethum graveolens)
Lemon balm (Melissa officinalis)Basil (Ocimum basilicum)
6 more rows

What does thyme not go with? ›

Although a variety of herbs (and even flowers, like marigolds and nasturtiums) can often be planted together, certain kinds like parsley, cilantro, tarragon, basil and chives prefer a more moist soil, and should not be planted directly with thyme.

What should not be planted with thyme? ›

Chives, cilantro, and basil are not ideal companion plants for thyme because they have different growing requirements and may compete for the same nutrients in the soil.

What herb goes best with thyme? ›

Thyme. Thyme has a sweet, nutty and lightly spicy flavour, making it great for marinades and most meat dishes. It goes well with these herbs: Basil, chives, oregano, parsley, rosemary, sage and tarragon.

What is garlic herb seasoning made of? ›

Garlic, Onion, Spices (Black Pepper, Parsley, Fennel, Basil, Bay, Marjoram, Oregano, Savory, Thyme, Cayenne Pepper, Coriander, Cumin, Mustard, Rosemary, Celery Seed), Carrot, Orange Peel, Spice Extractives.

What is garlic and herb sauce made of? ›

Rapeseed Oil, Water, Vinegar, Sugar, Egg Yolk Powder, Salt, Garlic Powder, Acetic Acid, Stabiliser (Xanthan Gum), Preservative (Potassium Sorbate), Parsley, Antioxidant: Rosemary Extract, Mustard Powder.

What is garlic butter sauce made of? ›

Melt Butter: Melt the butter in a microwave bowl or over the stove in a sauce pan. Add Lemon and Garlic: Whisk in the lemon juice, garlic, and zest if using. Season: Season garlic butter sauce to taste with salt and pepper. Add Herbs and Serve: Stir in fresh chopped herbs of your choice right before serving!

Is garlic butter healthier than regular butter? ›

Yes! Putting aside the positive saturated fats found in butter, the garlic inside can do everything from help your immune system to improve cholesterol!

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