Homemade Garlic Butter

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Out of all of my recipes, this one is my favorite: my homemade garlic butter. It uses just three simple ingredients and is ready in 10 minutes. Perfect for spreading on bread, mixing into pasta for a sauce, serving as garlic butter for seafood, melted over steak, and so much more!

Jump to:

• Easy Garlic Butter
• 3 Ingredient Garlic Butter
• How to Make Garlic Butter
• How to Store Homemade Garlic Butter
• How to Freeze Garlic Butter
• Garlic Butter Recipe Variations
• Garlic Butter FAQ
• Garlic Butter Recipes
• Pin it for later!
• Recipe
• Reviews

Easy Garlic Butter

For as simple as it is, this easy garlic butter recipe adds a special touch to any meal. It pairs with everything from steak and seafood to chicken, turkey, pork, and veggies of all kinds.

Mix it into shrimp scampi, dip crab legs in it, or serve a pat sliced over a gorgeous ribeye steak. I even use it to season turkey! Homemade garlic butter is richly flavorful and so versatile, and I guarantee you will want to always have it in your fridge, ready to use, after trying it just once.

I made this garlic butter for my filet mignon. It was truly delicious. No steak sauce needed.

@jequettabess

3 Ingredient Garlic Butter

• Butter: I’m using salted butter for this recipe. A high quality butter works best for flavor, but you can use any butter to make garlic butter. If you’re using unsalted butter, I recommend adding a sprinkle of kosher salt or sea salt flakes to season the butter.
• Garlic: While you can make garlic butter with garlic powder, I highly recommend using fresh garlic. It’s the best for making a rich and tasty garlic butter. A garlic press makes quick work of smashing garlic to use!
• Parsley: Finely chop some fresh parsley to mix into this butter for a bright, herbal note.
• Black Pepper (Optional): Pepper is optional for seasoning the butter, but if you like pepper, feel free to add it.

How to Make Garlic Butter

How to Store Homemade Garlic Butter

• Method One: Scoop garlic butter into the center of a sheet of plastic wrap. Carefully roll it into a log shape and tightly seal the plastic wrap. Store in the refrigerator for up to two weeks.
• Method Two: Place the garlic butter in an airtight container or zip-top plastic bag. Store in the refrigerator for up to two weeks.
• Method Three: If you’re storing garlic butter sauce after melting it, first allow it to cool. Then, pour it into a container and tightly seal it. Store in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks.

That’s it! This method should keep your garlic butter fresh for a few weeks to a few months. Just remember to use clean utensils when scooping it out to prevent contamination.

How to Freeze Garlic Butter

1. Roll garlic butter into a log using plastic wrap and ensure it is tightly sealed.
2. Label with the date, then place in the freezer. Homemade garlic butter can be stored in the freezer for three months before it starts to lose quality.
3. When you’re ready to use it, thaw garlic butter in the refrigerator overnight, or use the microwave defrost setting if you’re in a hurry.

Garlic Butter Recipe Variations

1. Sage: One of my personal favorite additions. I like to brown butter to use with sage in my sage brown butter sauce. It’s delicious in pasta, risotto, and gnocchi.
2. Chives: Chopped chives provide a mild onion-like flavor and a pop of color.
3. Basil: Fresh basil leaves or dried basil can give your garlic butter a hint of Italian flair.
4. Thyme: Fresh or dried thyme adds earthy and aromatic notes to your garlic butter.
5. Rosemary: Fresh rosemary leaves or dried rosemary contribute a piney and savory essence.
6. Oregano: Dried oregano can infuse a Mediterranean or pizza-like flavor into your garlic butter.
7. Cilantro: If you enjoy a more southwestern or Asian twist, try adding chopped cilantro leaves.
8. Dill: Dill weed imparts a mild, slightly tangy flavor that pairs well with seafood and potatoes.
9. Tarragon: This herb has a unique anise-like flavor that can add a touch of sophistication to your garlic butter.
10. Red Pepper Flakes: For some heat, you can include red pepper flakes or a pinch of cayenne pepper.
11. Lemon Zest: Grated lemon zest provides a citrusy brightness that complements many dishes. I love lemon garlic butter!
12. Parmesan Cheese: Grated Parmesan or Pecorino Romano cheese can add a rich, cheesy dimension to your garlic butter.
13. Smoked Paprika: A small amount of smoked paprika can give your garlic butter a smoky, BBQ-like flavor.
14. Sundried Tomatoes: Chopped sundried tomatoes can introduce a sweet and tangy twist to your garlic butter.
15. Garlic Variations: Experiment with different garlic types, like roasted garlic or black garlic, for unique flavor profiles.

When you’re trying a new garlic butter seasoning, start with small amounts and gradually add more until you achieve the desired flavor. Homemade garlic butter is highly customizable, so feel free to get creative and tailor it to your liking and the dishes you plan to use it with.

Garlic Butter FAQ

Garlic Butter Recipes

• Garlic butter for bread: Preheat your oven to 425°F. Spread garlic butter on your favorite bread, such as a baguette or french bread, at room temperature. For cheesy garlic bread, you can add one-fourth of a cup of mozzarella or Parmesan cheese. Bake on a baking sheet until toasted and lightly brown, about 5 minutes.
• Garlic butter sauce for pasta: Bring a large pot of water to a boil and add one tablespoon of salt. Once boiling, add your favorite past and cook according to package directions until al dente. Add half a cup of garlic butter to a skillet over medium heat and let it melt. Drain the pasta, reserving a fourth a cup of water, then mix the garlic butter into the pasta along with the water. Top with Parmesan, parsley, and salt and pepper if desired.
• Garlic butter steak sauce: Let garlic butter melt over grilled chuck steak, picanha, steak bites, or ribeye! It’s delicious with any steak cut.
• Garlic butter for shrimp: It’s delicious with grilled shrimp, shrimp linguine, shrimp shumai, and Chinese prawns!
• Garlic butter dipping sauce for crabs: Try it with my grilled crab legs and steamed crab legs! It’s also amazing with Air Fryer Lobster Tail, Instant Pot Lobster Tails, and Lobster Tails on the Grill
• Garlic butter for vegetables: Garlic butter mushrooms, garlic roasted small potatoes, instant pot green beans, and corn riblets are some of my family’s personal favorites.
• Garlic butter for pizza: Try it as a dipping sauce for pizza twists, pizza rolls, or pizza monkey bread!
• Garlic butter chicken and turkey: Try it with grilled chicken breast, boneless turkey breast, or any of my turkey recipes.
• Garlic butter burger: Use this spread on your favorite burgers! It turns an ordinary burger into an over-the-top burger experience.
• Butter Garlic Salmon: My new favorite way to cook salmon is by adding a dollop of this homemade garlic butter. It is excellent on grilled salmon, baked salmon, and even sous vide salmon.

Recipe