This Garlic Butter Recipe is rich, creamy, and loaded with fresh garlic, herbs, and a touch of salt. Perfect as a spread for warm bread, a topper for steak or seafood, or stirred into pasta and veggies. Takes just minutes to make — and lasts in the fridge or freezer for whenever flavor calls.
Yields: Approximately 1/2 cup
Prep time: 5 minutes
Cook time: 5 minutes
✨ Why You’ll Love This Recipe
✔ 5-minute prep with just 4 ingredients
✔ Better than store-bought – no preservatives
✔ Freezer-friendly – ready whenever you need it
✔ Endless uses – from garlic bread to roasted veggies
Ingredients:
- 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, softened
- 4-6 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/4 teaspoon salt, or to taste
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper, or to taste
- 1-2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped (optional)
Equipment:
- Small saucepan
- Knife
- Cutting board
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Spoon or spatula
Instructions:
Step 1: Mince the Garlic
- Finely mince the garlic cloves. The smaller the pieces, the more the garlic flavor will infuse into the butter.
Step 2: Melt the Butter
- Place the softened butter in a small saucepan over low heat. Allow the butter to melt slowly.
Step 3: Add Garlic and Cook
- Once the butter is melted, add the minced garlic to the saucepan. Cook over low heat for 2-3 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the garlic becomes fragrant and slightly softened but not browned. Be careful not to burn the garlic, as it will taste bitter.
Step 4: Season the Butter
- Remove the saucepan from the heat. Stir in the salt and black pepper. If using, add the chopped fresh parsley and stir to combine.
Step 5: Serve or Store
- Your garlic butter is now ready to use. You can serve it immediately over bread, pasta, vegetables, or seafood. To store, transfer the garlic butter to an airtight container and refrigerate for up to one week, or freeze for longer storage. If refrigerated, allow it to soften slightly before using.
Pro Tips
✅ Garlic hack: Grate cloves on a microplane for ultra-fine texture
✅ No raw garlic? Sauté minced garlic in 1 tsp butter first
✅ Compound butter: Add herbs like chives or dill for specialty flavors
📊 Nutrition (Per Tbsp)
| Calories 100 | Fat 11g | Carbs 1g |
| Protein 0g | Sodium 50mg | Keto-Friendly ✔ |
🍽 10 Delicious Ways to Use Garlic Butter
- Garlic bread (spread on baguette & broil)
- Seafood baste (shrimp, lobster, or scallops)
- Steak topper (melt over grilled ribeye)
- Roasted veggies (toss before baking)
- Mashed potatoes (fold in for extra flavor)
- Pasta toss (instead of olive oil)
- Grilled corn (brush on hot ears)
- Pizza crust (brush baked edges)
- Garlic knots (dough enhancer)
- Popcorn drizzle (mix with melted butter)
Enjoy your delicious homemade Garlic Butter!
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