Garlic butter is the easiest way to elevate breads, appetizers, vegetables, meat and fish. This easy garlic butter recipe is made with just 3 ingredients in less than 5 minutes!
True garlic butter is bold, vibrant and bursting with zesty garlic in every bite. Learn the keys to making this incredibly simple, but flavorful butter to add to all your favorite savory foods.
It’s perfect for dinner rolls, beer bread Gerbers, steak, toss with pasta or shrimp, or with French cut green beans and roasted baby carrots. The options are endless!
This classic recipe is better than the rest because it’s luxuriously creamy and full of garlic flavor that melts in your mouth! It is incredibly versatile and a wonderful addition to all of your savory dishes!
You can purchase garlic butter at the store, but it just doesn’t compare! Fresh garlic butter has robust flavor without all the preservatives. It spreads easily and keeps well for future use.
Why You’ll Love this Garlic Butter
- Easy
- Classic
- Versatile
Ingredients and Substitutions
- Unsalted Butter – Softened butter creates a luxuriously creamy consistency when whipped. If you are using salted butter, omit or adjust the salt in this recipe.
- Garlic – Since this recipe consists of just two ingredients, I like to let them shine using fresh garlic cloves. However, you can substitute minced garlic purchased in the produce section of your grocer or garlic powder in a pinch. You can find a complete list of Garlic Conversions here, and learn how to peel garlic here and how to mince garlic here.
- Salt – Thick flakes of sea salt from a grinder are preferred. They add robust flavor and a hint of texture.
Variations
- Fresh Herbs – Parsley and chives are popular options.
- Seasoning – Add 2 teaspoons to 1 tablespoon of Italian seasoning.
- Black Pepper – Add thick flakes of fresh ground black pepper for even more flavor. Perfect when using on steaks and dinner rolls.
- Parmesan – Fold in 1/4 cup fresh grated parmesan.
- Lemon – add a teaspoon of fresh lemon juice for vibrant citrus flavor.
- Use Garlic Confit instead of fresh garlic.
- Or add Roasted Garlic.
How to Make Garlic Butter in Just 2 Easy Steps
- Mince garlic.
- Whip butter and minced garlic together.
Watch the video where Julie will walk you through each step of this easy recipe. You will find a collection of recipe videos right here on our website with corresponding recipes.
Tips
- Use fresh minced garlic for the best flavor.
- The basic rule of thumb is 1 cup butter to 1 tablespoon minced garlic.
- Bring butter to room temperature so it whips easily.
- Serve butter at room temperature so it spreads easily.
Love garlic? Don’t skip these incredible Garlic Parmesan Wings.
Scaling up, down or substituting? You’ll love this printable Measurement Conversion Chart!
Shortcuts
- Use minced garlic found in the produce aisle of your grocer.
- Use garlic powder.
Frequently Asked Questions
Chives, green onion and parsley all lend great flavor to garlic butter.
You can buy garlic butter at your local grocer – but making your own is so fast and easy and tastes so much better!
Serving Suggestions and Uses for Garlic Butter
Garlic Butter Sauce – Melt with fresh herbs to make an amazing sauce for fish, shrimp, chicken and pasta. Add a squeeze of lemon for bright flavor.
Vegetables – Marinate, sauté or roast with veggies including asparagus, mushrooms, corn on the cob, and green beans.
Spread – Spread on your favorite breads including dinner rolls, Cheddar Beer Bread and so much more!
Brush on Pizza Crust – Instantly elevate any pizza!
Mashed Cauliflower – create an incredibly flavorful low carb bowl of mashed cauliflower with the addition of this garlic butter.
Make Ahead
- You can make this garlic butter recipe up to one week ahead of time and store it in an airtight container.
- You can also mince the fresh garlic ahead of time, saving you time when you want to mix it up!
How to Store
- At Room Temperature – this butter can sit out for up to two hours while serving. Butter can generally be kept at room temperature for up to 48 hours safely, but this garlic butter should be refrigerated after serving to keep it fresh.
- Refrigerate – Store in an airtight container up to one week refrigerated.
- Freeze – Roll butter in parchment, place in an airtight container or in ice cube trays and freeze up to 6 months.
Dietary Considerations
- Gluten Free
- Nut Free
- Vegetarian
More Garlic Love
More Easy Butter Recipes
Garlic Butter
Ingredients
Instructions
- In a medium mixing bowl or stand mixer, combine ingredients and beat until smooth and whipped.
- Scrape with a spatula, stir to combine and serve.
Julie’s Tips
Variations
- Fresh Herbs – Parsley and chives are popular options.
- Seasoning – Add 2 teaspoons to 1 tablespoon of Italian seasoning.
- Black Pepper – Add thick flakes of fresh ground black pepper for even more flavor. Perfect when using on steaks and dinner rolls.
- Parmesan – Fold in 1/4 cup fresh grated parmesan.
- Lemon – add a teaspoon of fresh lemon juice for vibrant citrus flavor.
Tips
- Use fresh minced garlic for the best flavor.
- The basic rule of thumb is 1 cup butter to 1 tablespoon minced garlic.
- Bring butter to room temperature so it whips easily.
- Serve butter at room temperature so it spreads easily.
Video
Estimated nutrition information is provided as a courtesy and is not guaranteed.
Thanks fir these beautiful recipes. I can’t wait to try some of them on dinner rolls and/or other breads. Yum!!!