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)
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  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? ›

1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, softened. 1 teaspoon garlic powder (adjust according to your preference) Salt, to taste (optional) Fresh herbs (such as parsley or chives), chopped (optional)

What is Gordon Ramsay's compound butter recipe? ›

Compound Butter:
  1. ¾ cup unsalted butter, room temperature.
  2. 2 tablespoons chopped sage.
  3. 2 tablespoons chopped rosemary.
  4. 2 tablespoons chopped thyme.
  5. 2 cloves garlic, finely grated.
  6. Zest of 1 lemon.
  7. ½ teaspoon kosher salt.

What herbs are in Kerry Gold Herb Butter? ›

Kerrygold Garlic and Herb Butter is made with our all-natural Irish butter and a compound mixture of chives, parsley, garlic, fresh herbs and spices. It still has the creamy texture you'd expect from butter made from the milk of cows fed from the grass of Ireland's lush pastures, but it carries a little kick with it.

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.

Is garlic and herb butter healthy? ›

Apart from the light taste it renders, the combination of garlic and butter is a merge of essential oil and herb that has several health benefits like: Boosts the immune system. Acts as a detoxifying agent. Safeguards against cancer cells.

What does garlic butter contain? ›

Unsalted butter, garlic, finely chopped fresh parsley or chives, and salt.

How long does herb infused butter last? ›

Herb butter lasts about 4-5 days in the fridge and up to 6 weeks in the freezer. This makes it a great make-ahead condiment. Now you know the technique and the tips, here are different flavour combinations that work particularly well for different meats and veggies. Get the recipes!

What is another name for herb butter? ›

Compound butter, or finishing butter, is a type of butter that is mixed with herbs, spice blends, and other ingredients that give it a savory or sweet flavor.

What kind of butter does Gordon Ramsey use? ›

Vermont Creamery Cultured Butter with Sea Salt

Every professional chef I've ever worked with is a snob about butter. And rightfully so! Butter can really make or break a simple dish. Because of this, I'm supplying Gordon with our favorite butter: Vermont Creamery Cultured Butter with Sea Salt.

Why do chefs use compound butter? ›

Compound butter or “beurre composse” in French is simply unsalted butter mixed with other ingredients that add sweet or savory flavor, like honey, herbs, or garlic. This creamy spread can be easily added to meats, and sauces sides to add extra flavor.

Why does Gordon Ramsay use so much butter? ›

I think his “obsession” is rooted in his training. Ramsay was trained in the classical French style, like many of us. He knows that butter is a powerful versatile ingredient and a stick of the stuff is always in the top of his tool box. To a chef, butter is more than a tasty spread for your breakfast toast.

What is Irish butter? ›

In Europe, the minimum is 82%, while in America it's 80%, and anything lower than those percentages cannot be considered butter. So Irish butter is a cultured butter that has been churned to at least 82% butterfat content. The higher the butterfat content, the richer and softer the butter.

Why is Irish gold butter so good? ›

The cows' natural diet of fresh green grass, clover, and wild herbs imparts distinct flavors to their milk and provides a greater butterfat level. As a result, Irish butter distinguishes itself with its unrivaled creaminess, rich flavor, and distinct spirit of the Irish countryside.

How to make garlic butter without burning the garlic? ›

Over medium low heat, melt the butter with the garlic and let cook for a minute until fragrant but not burnt. Add the remaining butter and salt and cook until completely melted. Remove from heat and use immediately OR see below for how to prepare ahead of time and store for later use.

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