How to Make Garlic Butter

Garlic butter is a flavored spread made by combining softened butter with fresh or roasted garlic, herbs, and sometimes salt. It’s used to enhance the flavor of dishes like bread, steak, vegetables, pasta, and sea

Few condiments are as universally beloved as garlic butter. It’s rich, aromatic, versatile, and adds instant depth to nearly any dish. Whether you want to slather it on crusty bread, melt it over a sizzling steak, or toss it with hot pasta, knowing how to make garlic butter from scratch is a game-changing kitchen skill.

This comprehensive guide covers everything: the essential ingredients, step-by-step methods (including versions for different uses), variations, storage tips, and frequently asked questions. You’ll never want store-bought again.

Why Make Garlic Butter at Home?

Fresher and more flavorful than store-bought
Customizable — adjust garlic strength, herbs, or salt to your taste
Versatile — use it for bread, meats, veggies, seafood, and more
Preservative-free — healthier and more natural

Ingredients for Garlic Butter

The basic garlic butter recipe needs only a few simple ingredients:

Core Ingredients:

Unsalted butter – 1 cup (2 sticks), softened to room temperature
Garlic – 3–5 cloves, finely minced or roasted
Salt – to taste (usually ¼ to ½ teaspoon if using unsalted butter)

Optional Add-ins:

Fresh parsley – 1–2 tablespoons, finely chopped
Lemon juice or zest – ½ teaspoon, for brightness
Black pepper – a pinch
Parmesan cheese – for richness
Olive oil – a teaspoon, for smoother texture

How to Make Garlic Butter (Basic Method)

Step 1: Soften the Butter

Leave your butter out at room temperature for 30–60 minutes until it’s pliable but not melted. Soft butter is key to achieving a smooth, even blend.

Step 2: Mince the Garlic

Use a garlic press or finely chop your garlic. If you want a milder, sweeter flavor, consider roasting the garlic cloves first (see variation below).

Step 3: Mix Ingredients

In a medium bowl:

Add softened butter
Stir in the minced garlic
Mix in salt and any additional herbs or ingredients

Use a fork, spatula, or hand mixer to blend until completely smooth and uniform.

Step 4: Taste and Adjust

Taste your garlic butter and adjust the seasoning—add more garlic, salt, or herbs as needed.

Step 5: Serve or Store

You can serve it immediately or store it (see storage tips below).

Roasted Garlic Butter Variation

Roasting garlic mellows its sharpness and brings out a caramelized sweetness that’s delicious in butter.

How to Roast Garlic:

Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C).
Cut off the top ¼ of a garlic bulb to expose the cloves.
Drizzle with olive oil and wrap in foil.
Roast for 35–40 minutes.
Squeeze roasted garlic out of the skins and mash into the butter.

Roasted garlic butter is excellent for spreading on bread or using in mashed potatoes.

Herb Garlic Butter Variation

Add fresh herbs for a more complex flavor:

Parsley: Fresh, chopped – classic for garlic bread
Thyme or rosemary: Finely chopped, great for steak or potatoes
Chives: Mild onion flavor for baked potatoes and fish

Use 1–2 tablespoons of chopped herbs for every cup of butter.

Lemon Garlic Butter Variation

Perfect for seafood like shrimp, lobster, or grilled fish.

Add:

1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
1 teaspoon lemon zest
Optional: chopped dill or parsley

This adds a citrus brightness that pairs beautifully with delicate proteins.

Garlic Butter for Steak

Garlic butter enhances grilled or pan-seared steak by adding flavor and moisture.

Method:

Make a garlic-herb butter log (see below).
Slice and place a disc of butter on top of the hot steak just before serving.
Let it melt into the meat — perfection.

Garlic Butter for Bread

To make garlic bread:

Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
Spread garlic butter on halved French or Italian bread.
Wrap in foil and bake for 10–15 minutes.
Optional: Unwrap and broil for 1–2 minutes for crispy edges.

You can also add grated Parmesan or mozzarella for cheesy garlic bread.

Garlic Butter for Pasta

After draining hot pasta:

Toss it immediately with garlic butter and a splash of pasta water
Add grated Parmesan and fresh parsley for a complete meal

Works great with linguine, spaghetti, or short pasta like penne.

Storing Garlic Butter

In the Fridge:

Store in an airtight container or wrap in parchment.
Lasts for 5–7 days if using fresh herbs and garlic.

In the Freezer:

Roll into a log in plastic wrap or parchment.
Freeze for up to 3 months.
Slice off pieces as needed.

Tip:

Label with the date and ingredients for easy reference.

How to Make a Garlic Butter Log (for Freezing or Presentation)

Scoop the finished garlic butter onto a sheet of parchment paper.
Shape into a cylinder using a spatula or spoon.
Roll the parchment around it and twist the ends tightly.
Chill in the fridge or freezer until firm.
Slice into rounds to serve on steaks or bread.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Using cold butter – makes mixing uneven and lumpy
Too much raw garlic – overpowers the flavor and may cause bitterness
Storing too long – garlic can become bitter or spoil if kept too long
Not tasting before serving – always adjust seasoning before final use

Health and Nutrition Notes

While delicious, garlic butter is high in saturated fat and should be used in moderation. To make a lighter version:

Use half butter, half olive oil
Substitute some butter with unsalted plant-based alternatives

FAQs

Can I use salted butter?

Yes, but reduce or skip the added salt. Always taste and adjust.

Can I use garlic powder instead of fresh garlic?

Yes, use ½ to 1 teaspoon per cup of butter. Flavor will be less vibrant but still good.

Can I use dried herbs?

Yes, but reduce the amount to 1–2 teaspoons as dried herbs are more concentrated.

Can I use margarine instead of butter?

Technically yes, but the flavor and texture will differ. Butter is preferred for richness.

Conclusion

Now that you know how to make garlic butter, you can elevate almost any dish with this rich and flavorful spread. Whether it’s slathered on a fresh baguette, melted over seared steak, or tossed with pasta, garlic butter is a pantry essential. The best part? It takes less than 10 minutes to prepare, stores well, and is endlessly customizable.

Ditch the store-bought jars and enjoy homemade garlic butter that’s fresher, bolder, and tailored exactly to your taste.