The best Garlic Herb Butter made in just minutes! This easy garlic compound butter is packed with fresh herbs, garlic, and incredible flavor!

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If you want an easy way to make everyday meals taste extra special, this Garlic Herb Butter is the answer. Made with just a few simple ingredients, this homemade garlic compound butter comes together in minutes but adds incredible flavor to everything from steaks and chicken to seafood, vegetables, and warm bread. Turns an ordinary meal into something that feels restaurant-worthy.
This butter reminds me of my mama and our Sunday dinners. If you like this butter, then try my Rosemary Garlic Compound Butter and Cowboy Butter.
Reader Review: "This Garlic Herb Butter recipe is my new favorite! It makes every meal feel fancy." - Kim
Why You'll Love This Recipe
- Easy to Make - Mix a handful of simple ingredients in just a few minutes. No cooking required.
- Elevates Any Meal - Add a slice to steaks, grilled chicken, seafood, and vegetables.
- Made with Fresh Ingredients - Fresh garlic and herbs give this a rich, homemade taste.
Ingredients

- Butter: I used salted butter at room temperature.
- Chives: Fresh chives add a mild onion flavor and a pop of flavor.
- Parsley: Fresh parsley adds a bright, fresh flavor.
- Rosemary: Fresh rosemary brings a bold, earthy flavor with a hint of pine.
- Thyme: Fresh Thyme complements the garlic and is perfect with grilled meats and vegetables.
- Garlic: Fresh minced garlic is the star ingredient that gives butter its savory, rich flavor.
Tim's Tip: Finely chop the herbs so they distribute more evenly throughout the butter. Flavor in every bite!
How to Make Garlic Herb Butter
1. Soften the Butter: Allow the butter to sit at room temperature until it is soft enough to easily mix with a spoon.
2. Chop the Fresh Herbs: Finely chop the chives, parsley, rosemary, and thyme. Smaller pieces distribute more evenly throughout the butter, giving you flavor in every bite.

3. Mince the Garlic: Peel and finely mince the garlic cloves. Fresh garlic provides the best flavor for homemade herb butter.
4. Combine the Ingredients: Add the softened butter, chopped herbs, and minced garlic to a medium bowl. Stir until everything is evenly incorporated.


5. Use Immediately or Chill: Your garlic herb butter is ready to use right away! Spread it onto bread, add it to grilled meats, seafood, vegetables, or potatoes for an instant burst of flavor. If you want to save it for later, spoon it onto plastic wrap or parchment paper, shape it into a log, and roll tightly to seal. Refrigerate for at least 1 hour until firm.
Substitutions and Variations
- Add Citrus - Stir in a teaspoon of fresh lemon zest for a bright, fresh flavor that goes really well with seafood and chicken.
- Make it Spicy - Add a pinch of crushed red pepper flakes for some heat.
- Parmesan Garlic Butter - Mix in a few tablespoons of finely grated Parmesan cheese for an extra savory twist that is perfect for fresh bread!
- Add Black Pepper - Freshly cracked black pepper enhances the herb flavors.
Expert Tips
- Use the Right Herb Ratio- If you are substituting dried herbs for fresh, use about 1 teaspoon of dried herbs for every 3 teaspoons (1 tablespoon) of fresh herbs. Dried herbs have a more concentrated flavor, so a little goes a long way.
- Soften Butter Quickly - Forgot to leave your butter out? Place the wrapped stick of butter in a bowl of warm (not hot) water for 10-15 minutes. It will soften evenly without melting, making it easy to mix with the herbs and garlic.
- Use Fresh Garlic - Freshly minced garlic provides the best flavor. Avoid pre-minced jarred garlic if possible, as it won't have the same fresh, bold taste.
- Let the Flavors Develop - For the best flavor, refrigerate the garlic herb butter for at least an hour before serving. This gives the garlic time to infuse the butter.

What to Serve with Garlic and herbs Butter
This compound butter is perfect for elevating the ordinary!
Storage
Wrap your butter very well in plastic wrap to keep it fresh.
This Garlic Herb Butter will keep in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks. It can also be frozen for up to 6 months.
FAQs
It can be used on steak, potatoes, bread, or veggies. I love spreading it on baguette bread for a quick garlic bread. It is also good melted in noodles or cooked pastas.
If you use unsalted, you might need to add a pinch of salt to balance the flavors.
Compound butter is simply softened butter that is mixed with herbs, spices, garlic, citrus, or other flavorful ingredients. This Garlic Herb Butter recipe is one of my favorites!
Other Garlic Compound Butter Recipes
Made this recipe? Let me know!
Recipe

Garlic Herb Butter
Ingredients
- 1 stick Butter I used salted
- ½ tablespoon Chives Fresh
- 1 tablespoon Parsley Fresh
- 1 tablespoon Rosemary Fresh
- 1 tablespoon Thyme Fresh
- 2 Garlic Cloves Peeled and Minced
Instructions
- Soften the Butter: Allow the butter to sit at room temperature until it is soft enough to easily mix with a spoon. 1 stick Butter
- Chop the Fresh Herbs: Finely chop the chives, parsley, rosemary, and thyme. Smaller pieces distribute more evenly throughout the butter, giving you flavor in every bite. ½ tbsp Chives 1 tbsp Parsley 1 tbsp Rosemary 1 tbsp Thyme
- Mince the Garlic: Peel and finely mince the garlic cloves. Fresh garlic provides the best flavor for homemade herb butter. 2 Garlic Cloves
- Combine the Ingredients: Add the softened butter, chopped herbs, and minced garlic to a medium bowl. Stir until everything is evenly incorporated.
- Use Immediately or Chill: Your garlic herb butter is ready to use right away! Spread it onto bread, add it to grilled meats, seafood, vegetables, or potatoes for an instant burst of flavor. If you want to save it for later, spoon it onto plastic wrap or parchment paper, shape it into a log, and roll tightly to seal. Refrigerate for at least 1 hour until firm.
Notes
- Use the Right Herb Ratio- If you are substituting dried herbs for fresh, use about 1 teaspoon of dried herbs for every 3 teaspoons (1 tablespoon) of fresh herbs. Dried herbs have a more concentrated flavor, so a little goes a long way.
- Soften Butter Quickly - Forgot to leave your butter out? Place the wrapped stick of butter in a bowl of warm (not hot) water for 10-15 minutes. It will soften evenly without melting, making it easy to mix with the herbs and garlic.
- Use Fresh Garlic - Freshly minced garlic provides the best flavor. Avoid pre-minced jarred garlic if possible, as it won't have the same fresh, bold taste.
- Let the Flavors Develop - For the best flavor, refrigerate the garlic herb butter for at least 1 hour before serving. This gives the garlic time to infuse the butter.





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