Garlic Butter With Fresh Herbs
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Homemade garlic butter adds a concentrated savory finish to toast, roasted vegetables, and cooked fish. Softened butter makes the ingredients easy to combine without melting the mixture. A little lemon zest and parsley keep the garlic flavor lively rather than heavy.
Ingredient notes
Use butter softened just enough to mash with a fork. Melted butter separates and is harder to shape into a uniform spread. Fresh garlic should be grated or minced very finely so no one bites into a large raw piece. Salted butter may need no additional salt.
Tips for a better result
Mix the garlic through thoroughly and scrape the bowl so herbs are evenly distributed. Taste a small amount on bread rather than eating a large spoonful of butter alone. If making a log, chill it before slicing and use a clean knife for each portion.
Substitutions and variations
Use chives or dill instead of parsley. Roasted garlic gives a sweeter, milder butter, but it is a different variation and the amount needs adjusting. Dried herbs are more concentrated, so begin with a smaller quantity.
Storage and make-ahead tips
Keep covered in the refrigerator and use within 3 days, or freeze in small portions. Fresh garlic mixtures are not suitable for indefinite room-temperature storage. Take out only the portion needed rather than repeatedly warming the whole batch.
A common question
Can I melt it in advance?
You can melt a portion just before serving, but repeated warming and chilling makes both handling and texture less predictable. Store the main batch cold.
More from Crispe Kitchen
Explore the Cooking Tips collection or read our cooking guides for more kitchen ideas.
Garlic Butter With Fresh Herbs
About 110 g; 8 small portions
Estimated prep: 10 minutes · Cook: 0 minutes · Rest/chill: 30 minutes
Equipment: Small bowl, fork, optional baking parchment
Ingredients
- 100 g unsalted butter, softened
- 2 small garlic cloves, finely grated
- 1 tbsp finely chopped parsley
- 1/2 tsp finely grated lemon zest
- 1/8 tsp fine salt, or to taste
- Black pepper to taste
Instructions
- Place softened butter in a bowl and mash with a fork until workable.
- Add finely grated garlic, parsley, lemon zest, salt, and pepper.
- Mix thoroughly, scraping the sides so the garlic is evenly distributed.
- Spoon into a covered container, or shape into a small log using parchment.
- Refrigerate for about 30 minutes to firm. Serve small portions with warm bread or fully cooked vegetables, fish, or meat.
Recipe notes
Follow the doneness cues as well as the timer. Ingredient sizes and equipment vary. Mix the garlic through thoroughly and scrape the bowl so herbs are evenly distributed. Taste a small amount on bread rather than eating a large spoonful of butter alone. If making a log, chill it before slicing and use a clean knife for each portion.