Homemade Garlic Herb Butter is the best rich and flavorful topping for steak or prime rib! This quick and easy recipe is as simple as combining quality butter with minced garlic and fresh herbs. Keep the compound butter in the refrigerator or freezer to always have on hand for spreading on bread, veggies, pasta, chicken, or shrimp.

Homemade garlic herb butter is used for vegetables, meats, and breads.

Best Garlic Herb Butter Recipe

After learning the best way to cook filet mignon in the oven, I knew it was not complete until I had the perfect garlic herb butter to complement it.

And much like the steak recipe, I was surprised to discover how easy it is to make your own at home. You will only need a few simple-to-find ingredients and less than 10 minutes!

Also, since it freezes and refrigerates wonderfully, you will be able to use a tablespoon or two when you want to add a bit of garlicky goodness to your next steak, shrimp, or vegetable dish!

No need to pull out a garlic press or finely chop a bunch of herbs for added flavor. Nope, you’ll already have your restaurant-quality compound butter ready to rock and roll!

Butter, rosemary, thyme, parsley, garlic, salt, and pepper are the ingredients for this recipe.

Ingredients

  • Butter. Choose a quality stick of butter you love the flavor of. Kerrygold or Plugra are excellent options. Earth Balance sticks are great for a dairy-free or vegan compound butter. Salted is recommended; however, if you are watching your sodium intake or prefer a little more control over the level of salt in your foods, you might want to opt for an unsalted butter. Softened butter is key to this herbed butter, so plan ahead.
  • Garlic. Fresh finely minced cloves of garlic give an amazing flavor. Learn how to mince fresh garlic for the best results. You can also try roasting the garlic cloves, if you’d prefer! Garlic powder or garlic salt will not give you the same flavor.
  • Herbs. A combination of fresh parsley, fresh rosemary, and fresh thyme are used in this recipe. Mix things up and try oregano, dill with lemon zest, basil, or cilantro and lime zest. Fresh is better than dried herbs, but adjust the amounts if you go that way. Or, give it an extra flavor kick with red pepper flakes! You can also use a blend, like Italian seasoning.
5 Secrets to Healthier Family Dinners
Tips & recipes for getting yummy — and healthy — meals on the table.

How to Make Garlic Butter

Please see the recipe card below for more detailed ingredient amounts.

1. Cream the Butter

Make sure the butter has reached room temperature. The softer texture is ideal for mixing. Microwave it for 20-30 seconds if it isn’t to your desired consistency. However, do be careful that the butter does not completely melt!

Place the butter in a medium-sized bowl. Use a fork to mash the butter into a creamy consistency.

Butter is mashed with a fork in a bowl

2. Mix in Garlic and Herbs

Add the garlic and herbs and stir until everything is well incorporated.

At this point you can use it immediately, or shape it into a log.

3. Roll into a Log

Place the mixed butter at the end of a 12-inch long sheet of wax paper. A piece of plastic wrap is much harder to work with.

Form the butter into a log approximately 6- to 8-inches long.

Fold the wax paper over the log and begin to roll it, keeping the cylinder shape as you go.

Twist the ends of the wax paper so the cylinder is sealed tightly.

4. Chill in Fridge

For the log of butter to hold its shape, it must be refrigerated for at least 2 hours. You can also pop it in the freezer and speed this part up to 30-45 minutes.

Garlic Herb Butter log is kept in the fridge until using.

How to Use Garlic Butter

As mentioned previously, this garlic herb butter was made to top a steak but has SO much potential to bring tons of flavor to many delicious dishes. A few ways you can use up your herb butter include:

  • Bread – Slather some garlic spread on to turn a loaf of bread or dinner rolls into the best garlic bread you’ve ever had! Homemade garlic bread is a game changer. Melted and brushed, this homemade garlic butter sauce is a great way to add garlicky flavor to a pizza crust. It can be a great dipping sauce for French bread, too.
  • Pasta – Add a touch of lemon zest and juice to make an incredibly easy pasta sauce. It’s also delicious on gnocchi.
  • Vegetables – The majority of this recipe was used for making air fryer broccoli and roasted asparagus, but would also be amazing on boiled corn along with some Parmesan cheese or on an air fryer baked potato.
  • Meat – Melt it over the top of prime rib, shrimp, and chicken.
Garlic herb butter is melted on top of a steak.

FAQs

Is garlic butter keto?

Yes, all of the ingredients in garlic butter are naturally low in carbohydrates which results in a low-carb and keto-friendly recipe.

Can garlic butter sit out overnight?

While it is technically safe to leave out at room temperature for a day, the herbed garlic butter will last longer when stored in the refrigerator.

Is garlic butter harmful to dogs?

Yes. Avoid giving any garlic to your furry friend, as it is very dangerous for them to consume.

Recipe Tips

  • Choose quality. Picking a butter with amazing flavor will really pay off in the end result.
  • Be patient. Let the butter come to room temperature first so it is easier to mix.
  • Make extra. Because this freezes well, it is a great make-ahead recipe.
  • Mix it up. Try a variety of flavor options each time to keep things interesting!
A glass bowl is filled with fresh herb butter.

Recipes to Use Garlic Butter

Use this delicious garlic butter to add amazing flavor to the following recipes.

Top a juicy steak, like Filet Mignon or Air Fryer Steak. Or pile it on Bacon Wrapped Scallops.

Add it to a side, like Bacon Wrapped Asparagus, Mashed Sweet Potatoes, or Loaded Hasselback Potatoes.

It’s also delicious in Pasta Primavera with Lemon Garlic Butter.

Tap stars to rate!

5 from 14 votes

Homemade Garlic Herb Butter Recipe

Homemade Garlic Herb Butter is the best rich and flavorful topping for steak or prime rib! Keep the compound butter in the refrigerator or freezer to always have on hand for spreading on bread, veggies, pasta, chicken, or shrimp.
Homemade garlic herb butter is used for vegetables, meats, and breads.
Yield 8 tablespoons
Prep 10 minutes
Total 10 minutes
An image of an envelope sealed shut with the Evolving Table logo.

Email this recipe!

Enter your email and we’ll send it directly to you.

Ingredients 

  • ½ cup butter room temperature*
  • 2 cloves garlic finely minced
  • 1 tsp. rosemary fresh, finely chopped
  • 1 tsp. thyme fresh, finely chopped
  • 2 Tbsp. parsley fresh, finely chopped

Instructions 

  • Combine Ingredients: In a medium-sized bowl cream the butter with a spoon or fork until smooth. Add garlic and herbs. Stir until just mixed. Serve immediately or shape into a log.
    ½ cup butter, 2 cloves garlic, 1 tsp. rosemary, 1 tsp. thyme, 2 Tbsp. parsley
  • Shape into a Log: Tear off a 12-inch long piece of wax paper and place garlic butter towards the end of it. Shape it into what resembles a 6-8-inch long log. Pull the wax paper over the garlic butter and begin to roll it, reinforcing the log shape as you go. Once completely rolled up, twist the ends until tight.
  • Chill and Serve: Refrigerate for at least 2 hours before serving or up to overnight. Serve with steak, chicken, shrimp, vegetables, or as a spread on bread. Enjoy!
Last step! If you make this, please leave a review letting us know how it was!

Tap stars to rate!

5 from 14 votes

Video

Notes

  • If vegan or dairy-free, you can also use Earth Balance’s “butter” sticks in place of the butter.
  • If on a Paleo or Whole30 diet, feel free to substitute ghee butter in place of the regular butter to fit your dietary needs.
  • Use a good quality butter for best results. Depending on your taste preference, you can use salted or unsalted butter.
Prep-Ahead Instructions:
Let the butter rest at room temperature, mince the garlic, and chop the herbs.
Storage Directions:
Seal in an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 2 weeks. Since the herbs are fresh, the flavor will lose a bit of its potency the longer it is stored. To freeze, keep it tightly wrapped in wax paper and then place in a ziplock bag or plastic, freezer-safe container for up to 6 months.
Recipe Tips
  • Choose quality. Picking a butter with amazing flavor will really pay off in the end result.
  • Be patient. Let the butter come to room temperature first so it is easier to mix.
  • Make extra. Because this freezes well, it is a great make-ahead recipe.
  • Mix it up. Try a variety of flavor options each time to keep things interesting!

Nutrition

Calories: 107kcal, Carbohydrates: 1g, Protein: 1g, Fat: 12g, Saturated Fat: 7g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g, Monounsaturated Fat: 3g, Trans Fat: 1g, Cholesterol: 31mg, Sodium: 104mg, Potassium: 37mg, Fiber: 1g, Sugar: 1g, Vitamin A: 714IU, Vitamin C: 7mg, Calcium: 20mg, Iron: 1mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

Made this recipe?Leave a comment below!
5 Secrets to Healthier Family Dinners
Tips & recipes for getting yummy — and healthy — meals on the table.

You May Also Like

Thanks for
Stopping By!

I’m London! Join me as we cook up nourishing meals for you and your loved ones and learn a few healthy cooking tips and tricks!

Leave a comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating




Comments

  1. 5 stars
    This is yummy! I made this butter and took it to my pastor ! He too loved it, I will definitely keep this in my freezer for myself an my pastor! Thank you for sharing! 😋🩷🤗

    1. Yay! So happy to hear you enjoyed the recipe, Missy! I’m glad it was a hit. Thanks so much for taking the time to leave a comment and rating!

  2. What are the yellow flakes? It looks like lemon zest? didn’t see that
    in the recipe though.l
    This sounds amazing….going to do it!

    1. That’s just the garlic I think you’re seeing! You can also add in some lemon zest too – it would probably be delicoius!

    1. You can use salted or unsalted butter, Sherry! I always err on the saltier side so I tend to use salted. Hope you enjoy the recipe 🙂

  3. I’m planning to make this butter this week. Do you roast the garlic before crushing it or just crush fresh as-is?