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a thick layer of butter on a corn cob
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Garlic Butter Recipe (4 Simple Ingredients)

Whip up easy garlic butter with just butter, garlic & parsley in 2 mins. Perfect for steak, chicken, & veggies. It keeps for 2 weeks in the fridge!
Prep Time2 minutes
Total Time2 minutes
Course: Appetizer, Condiment, Dinner, Side Dish
Cuisine: American, French, Mediterranean
Keyword: buttery, easy, Garlic Butter, herb-infused, quick
Servings: 16 tablespoons
Author: Karina Carrel

Ingredients

  • 1 cup butter or spread of choice, softened at room temperature
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced or 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 4 tablespoons fresh chopped parsley or 2 teaspoon dry parsley
  • 2 pinches salt to taste if using unsalted butter
US - Metric

Instructions

  • Add all ingredients into a small serving bowl.
    a top down shot of a glass bowl sitting on a blue dark stone bench with butter and fresh herbs inside
  • Mix well with a spoon or fork until the garlic and herbs are evenly combined.
    a top down shot of a glass bowl sitting on a blue dark stone bench with butter and fresh herbs inside with a gold spoon mixing the ingredients
    • If you forgot to take it out of the fridge, microwave it on 50% power for 10-second intervals until soft just don't let it melt completely!
  • Serve immediately over sweet corn, steak, warm bread, or vegetables.
    a top down shot of a glass bowl sitting on a blue dark stone bench with butter and fresh herbs inside with a gold spoon mixing the ingredients into a paste

Notes

This garlic butter is simple, but a few small details make a big difference in flavor and texture.
Use softened butter, not melted. If the butter is too cold, it won’t mix properly and you’ll end up with small lumps instead of a smooth, creamy spread. It should be soft enough to stir easily, but still hold its shape.
Fresh garlic gives the best flavor here. It’s stronger, cleaner, and blends much better into the butter than jarred garlic. If you prefer a milder garlic taste, start with less and adjust after mixing.
Fresh herbs make the butter taste brighter and more balanced, but you can easily change them depending on what you’re serving it with. Parsley keeps it classic, while rosemary, thyme, or oregano can give it a deeper, more savory flavor.
If you’re using salted butter, leave out the extra salt at first and taste as you go. Some butters are saltier than others, so it’s better to adjust at the end than overdo it from the beginning.
A couple of extra things to keep in mind:
  • Let the garlic butter sit for 10–15 minutes before using if you want the flavors to blend a little more.
  • Chop the herbs finely so they mix evenly and don’t make the butter harder to spread.
  • Store it in the fridge and let it soften slightly before serving for the best texture.

Nutrition

Serving: 1tbsp | Calories: 109kcal | Carbohydrates: 0.5g | Protein: 0.2g | Fat: 12g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 3g | Monounsaturated Fat: 6g | Sodium: 191mg | Potassium: 17mg | Fiber: 0.1g | Sugar: 0.02g | Vitamin A: 650IU | Vitamin C: 2mg | Calcium: 8mg | Iron: 0.1mg