Garlic herb butter or compound butter, is a wonderful way to boost the flavor of many dishes. It’s simple to prepare and can be used to top vegetables, pasta, steak, toast and the list goes on!
I use herb butters when I make mashed cauliflower, and roasted chicken breast and the taste is just heavenly!
It’s also easier to prepare, and you’ll be able to make it in larger quantities. Plus, I’ll show you how to use this herb butter recipe in a variety of different ways!
Today, I’m giving you my garlic herb butter recipe.
It will become a must-have in your refrigerator!
Scroll down to see other varieties with different herbs.
Herb butter ingredients:
Butter – I’m a salt lover so I always buy salted butter. I actually prefer to use salted butter, but you can choose unsalted if you want to have more control of the sodium. The decision is up to you. It’s a personal preference.
Herbs – Dill but you can use any herb you like and love.
Garlic – Fresh garlic cloves. I always use fresh garlic.
Lemon – Freshly grated lemon zest. I like to buy organic lemons and zest them with a microplane.
Salt – I use sea salt, you can add salt as you see fit. Just keep tasting until it hit the right spot!
How to make garlic herb butter
- Crush garlic and mince fresh herbs.
- Grate lemon zest.
- Mix garlic, herb, salt and lemon zest together until combined.
- Let the mixture sit for five minutes.
- Set out your butter to soften. You want your butter to be at room temperature.
- Place butter into a bowl and add the garlic, herb, and lemon zest mixture to it.
- Mix well until combined.
- Add the butter into parchment paper or wax paper and roll the mixture up into a log.
- Wrap tightly and place into a freezer bag, in the refrigerator until firm.
Other herbs you can use for variety
You may use whichever herbs you like! Feel free to play around with any new herbs.
This recipe has the best flavor because it uses fresh herbs.
There are a couple of additional herbs and herbs combinations worth experimenting with.
Oregano – Would be great with parsley for a more Italian-style butter.
Tarragon – Paired with lemon, think French for inspiration. The soft anise flavor goes so well with fish and chicken.
Dill – Add a bit of dill with a touch of lemon juice and zest for a wonderful butter to add to seafood or shrimp!
Basil – Basil would be great in addition to the herbs already in this version, or all on its’ own!
Cilantro – This would definitely change up the flavor profile quite a bit, but would be fun to try with a touch of lime juice and zest and add it to fajitas!
Rosemary – Rosemary is the star herb when pair with garlic.
Thyme – Would be delicious with the garlic, basil and some lemon zest for an extra punch of flavor!
Chives – Chive & Garlic is a classic combination.
Tips for making the perfect herb butter
- Room temperature butter is necessary in order to make the butter work properly. If your butter is too hard, the garlic will not be able to get incorporated into the recipe. Room temperature butter will also give you a better consistency when the butter is melted, making it easier to work with.
- If you are using salt, be sure to add it after the butter is completely creamed. You can then taste your herb butter and adjust the amount of salt to your liking.
- Once you have rolled up the garlic herb butter into a stick shape, place in the freezer for about 15 minutes before slicing so that it is much easier to cut clean.
Frequently asked question
How long does the herb butter last in the fridge?
The garlic herb butter will last for up to 10 days once you have put it in the fridge. If put in the freezer, they will last for up to 3 months.
Can you use salted butter when making herb butter?
Yes! I always use salted butter – but you could salt to taste.
What’s compound butter?
Compound Butter is simply softened or room temperature butter combined with various ingredients such as herbs, spices , shallots, garlic, lemon, etc. It’s whipped until creamy and spreadable.
How to shape compound butter?
The best way to shape compound butter into a log is by placing parchment paper on a cutting board (or wax paper), shaping the butter into a cylinder with your hands and then rolling it up until completely sealed in the paper.
Does butter have carbohydrates. Is butter a carb?
No. Butter does not contain carbohydrates. Butter only contains the following nutrients: Protein, Vitamin A, Vitamin D, Vitamin E, Calcium and Lactic Acid (which give butter its sour flavor).
Garlic Herb Butter Recipe
Garlic Herb Butter
Garlic herb butter is a wonderful way to boost the flavor of many dishes such as steak, chicken and veggies. This compound butter pairs well with a keto diet.
Ingredients
- 1 stick (110 g) of room temperature butter.
- 2 cloves of garlic crushed.
- 2 tbsp (2 g) of finely minced dill.
- 1/2 tsp (1 g) of lemon zest.
- Salt to taste.
Instructions
- Crush garlic and mince fresh herbs.
- Grate lemon zest.
- Mix garlic, herb, salt and lemon zest together until combined.
- Let the mixture sit for five minutes.
- Set out your butter to soften. You want your butter to be at room temperature.
- Place butter into a bowl and add the garlic, herb, and lemon zest mixture to it.
- Mix well until combined.
- Add the butter into parchment paper or wax paper and roll the mixture up into a log.
- Wrap tightly and place into a freezer bag, in the refrigerator until firm.
Notes
Room temperature butter is necessary in order to make the butter work properly.
Nutrition Information
Yield
8Serving Size
1Amount Per Serving Calories 120Total Fat 12gSaturated Fat 7gTrans Fat 0gUnsaturated Fat 4gCholesterol 31mgSodium 686mgCarbohydrates 4gFiber 2gSugar 0gProtein 1g
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