There’s nothing better than a warm toasty baguette smothered with fresh garlic butter spread. This is a quick and easy garlic butter recipe whipped together in just 10 minutes. It’s perfect on bread, steaks, potatoes, vegetables and more for a delicious burst of flavor.
Table of contents
Ingredients
Butter - unsalted butter, softened
Kosher salt - can be adjusted to taste
Garlic - Use fresh minced garlic cloves for that bold and spicy flavor. The natural oils and flavor of the fresh garlic is released into the butter and creates a more complex taste.
Parsley - dried for convenience, may use fresh if preferred. I like to use dried parsley as it keeps in the fridge longer.
How to Make Garlic Butter
In a medium bowl, add the softened butter, salt, fresh garlic, and dried parsley.
Mix well until ingredients are combined and the butter is smooth.
Taste and adjust with additional salt and garlic as needed.
- Equipment recommendations:
Stainless steel garlic press - for quick mincing! - Stainless steel mixing bowl set - Great for cooking, baking and storing.
Make the Garlic Gread
Preheat oven to 400°F.
Cut a french baguette in half lengthwise
Generously spread the garlic butter on each half of the bread.
Optional : sprinkle shredded parmesan cheese over the top.
Place the bread on a baking sheet and toast in the oven for 8-10 minutes or until the baguette is golden and crispy to liking.
Cut and serve.
Breads to use with Garlic Butter
- Baguette - crispy crunchy crust with a soft airy interior will soak up all that buttery garlicky goodness.
- Sourdough - this hearty bread with a crunchy exterior and chewy inside with a slight tang is a perfect complement to a garlic spread.
- Dinner rolls - soft pillowy rolls are irresistible with a generous spread of garlic butter!
- Focaccia - with a soft and chewy texture, this bread holds onto all that savory garlic.
Softening Butter Hacks
- Warm water bath -Place the stick butter with the wrapper still on in a plastic bag and place the bag in a bowl of warm water to quickly soften the butter.
- Microwave - Cut the butter into smaller pats, place in a bowl and microwave in 10 second intervals to soften.
- Grate it - Use a cheese grater to grate the cold butter into fine shreds, it will soften quickly.
Garlic Butter Variations
- Parmesan Garlic Butter - add parmesan cheese to the butter and mix.
- Herb Garlic Butter - add fresh or dried herbs like Italian seasoning, chives, thyme or rosemary.
- Spiced garlic butter - mix and match some spices like paprika, cumin and chilli flakes.
- Roasted garlic butter - use roasted garlic for a more robust and sweet garlic butter.
How to use garlic butter
This garlic butter isn’t just for bread! Try it on:
Pasta - garlic butter and pasta goes hand in hand. Try it out with Vietnamese garlic noodles.
Vegetables - spread it on your roasted oven corn on the cob, or air fryer broccoli.
Steaks - top it on a Prime rib, cast iron skillet steak , or reverse sear filet mignon for a decadent meal.
Poultry - add pats of butter on top of a dry brine thanksgiving turkey, oven baked spatchcocked chicken, or cast iron whole chicken for a crispy and flavorful skin.
Storing Garlic Butter
Refrigerator - Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
If made with dried garlic and parsley, it can keep in the fridge for up to 7 days.
Make ahead - The butter can be made ahead and stored in the fridge. It will firm in the fridge as it chills, remove from the fridge 20-30 minutes before serving to allow it to soften.
Freezing - Shape the butter into a log shape and wrap it in plastic wrap. Freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw the butter when ready to use.
Frequently Asked Questions
Unsalted butter is preferred as it’s less salty and you can control the amount of salt to add into the butter.
Garlic powder is used for convenience (when you don’t feel like mincing fresh garlic) and has a better shelf life. However, I highly recommending using fresh garlic, it taste much better!
If an easy and quick garlic butter spread, use garlic powder instead of fresh garlic. I do not recommend it, as it will not have the same punch as fresh garlic.
Add ½ cup of softened unsalted butter, with 2 teaspoon garlic powder, ½ teaspoon dried parsley and ¼ teaspoon kosher salt. Mix and combine well with a spoon, add more garlic powder to taste.
More Spreads and Dips Recipe
Easy Garlic Butter for Bread
Ingredients
- ½ cup softened butter, unsalted
- 3-4 cloves fresh minced garlic about 1 tablespoons
- ½ teaspoon dried parsley
- ¼ teaspoon kosher salt
Instructions
- In a medium bowl, add the softened butter, salt, garlic, and parsley in a bowl.
- Mix well until all ingredients are combined and the butter is smooth.
- Taste and adjust with additional salt and garlic as needed.
Notes
- Warm water bath -Place the stick butter with the wrapper still on in a plastic bag and place the bag in a bowl of warm water to quickly soften the butter.
- Microwave - Cut butter into smaller pats, place in a bowl and microwave in 10 second intervals to soften.
- Grate it - Use a cheese grater to grate the cold butter into fine shreds, it will soften quickly.
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