Homemade Garlic Butter Recipe - The Carefree Kitchen (2024)

By Jill Baird · Published November 29, 2023 · Updated March 6, 2024 · 19 Comments

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This amazing homemade Garlic Butter recipe is creamy, delicious, and perfect for making garlic bread, sautéing vegetables, or giving your steak an extra burst of flavor. It only takes about 10 minutes to throw together and holds up great in the fridge.

Garlic butter is a versatile and mouthwatering addition to any meal. This easy-to-follow recipe for homemade garlic butter, using garlic powder for an added burst of flavor, will quickly become a staple in your kitchen. I'll also show you how to make the most amazing garlic bread!

If you're looking for ways to use this garlic butter recipe, be sure to try it on Breadsticks, Homemade Rolls, or on a Pan Seared Steak. Wowza!

Homemade Garlic Butter Recipe - The Carefree Kitchen (1)
Jump to:
  • Homemade Garlic Butter Recipe
  • Homemade Garlic Bread Video Tutorial
  • Homemade Garlic Butter Ingredients
  • How to Make Garlic Butter
  • Frequently Asked Questions
  • Garlic Butter Recipe Tips and Tricks
  • Storing Homemade Garlic Spread
  • Garlic Butter Recipe
  • Here are more of our favorite condiments and spreads!

Homemade Garlic Butter Recipe

Garlic Butter Spread is a quick, easy, all-purpose condiment. I love having a jar of Garlic Butter in the fridge at all times because it makes dinner time so much easier!

Adding just a couple of teaspoons to pan-seared steak, chicken or sauteed veggies adds so much flavor. It also makes it super easy to have the most amazing homemade garlic bread any time you want.

Homemade Garlic Bread Video Tutorial

To make the most delicious homemade garlic bread, simply spread a thin layer of Garlic Butter onto sliced French bread before broiling. It tastes great if you add a little extra Parmesan cheese, too. Easy peasy!

Or, try spreading melted Garlic Butter on Parker House Rolls, Quick Rolls, Cheesy Breadsticks, Homemade French Bread, or even our Homemade White Bread.

Homemade Garlic Butter Recipe - The Carefree Kitchen (2)

Homemade Garlic Butter Ingredients

  • Butter - salted butter tastes great for this recipe, but if you are watching your salt intake, you can use unsalted. Be sure it is at room temperature so that it will be easy to whip.
  • Olive Oil - this adds a lot of richness and authentic Italian flavor to the garlic spread. I prefer an extra virgin olive oil but any will do.
  • Parmesan Cheese - Finely grated Parmesan cheese works best for this recipe.
  • Dried Parsley - unless you plan to use all of the butter immediately, we suggest using dried parsley.
  • Garlic Powder - 100% pure garlic powder tastes best.

How to Make Garlic Butter

  1. Whip the butter. Add room temperature butter to the bowl of a stand mixer and whip using the whisk attachment until light and fluffy.
  2. Add the rest of the ingredients. Slowly add the olive oil while continuing to mix the butter on low. Once it is completely incorporated, add the cheese, parsley and garlic powder and mix until well combined.
  3. Use or store. Use immediately, or store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 months. Enjoy!

How to Make the Best Garlic Bread Recipe

  1. Slice French bread into 1" thick slices.
  2. Add your homemade garlic spread onto the bread.
  3. Broil on low in the oven until the garlic bread is golden brown and bubbly. This will melt the parmesan cheese in the garlic spread for bread.
Homemade Garlic Butter Recipe - The Carefree Kitchen (3)

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does homemade garlic spread last?

Garlic butter will last up to two weeks in the refrigerator if stored in an airtight container.

Can I use salted butter for homemade garlic butter?

You can use salted or unsalted butter in the recipe but you may need to adjust the amount of salt in the recipe.

What can I use homemade garlic butter for?

It's great for garlic bread, sautéing vegetables, spreading on grilled steak, and adding flavor to mashed potatoes.

Can I freeze homemade garlic butter?

Yes, portion it into smaller amounts, wrap in plastic wrap, and store in an airtight container for up to six months.

How do I make homemade garlic butter?

Soften the butter, add the olive oil, parmesan cheese, garlic powder, parsley, and salt. Mix them together using a hand mixer so you have a light whipped garlic butter.

Homemade Garlic Butter Recipe - The Carefree Kitchen (4)

Garlic Butter Recipe Tips and Tricks

  • Make it easy on yourself and use room temperature butter! If you forget to pull it out ahead of time, just transfer to a microwave-safe container and heat it for about 10 seconds at a time just until soft.
  • You can use Parmesan powder, shredded Parmesan, or even a mix of both. The important part is the flavor!
  • If you plan to use all of the Garlic Butter right away, you can definitely use fresh parsley. However, it holds best in the fridge if you use dried parsley and I actually prefer the flavor in this recipe.
Homemade Garlic Butter Recipe - The Carefree Kitchen (5)

Storing Homemade Garlic Spread

  • Storing- Transfer any unused Garlic Butter to an airtight container and store in the refrigerator for up to 2 months.
  • Freeze- You can also freeze any leftover Garlic Butter for up to 6 months, transferring to the fridge overnight to thaw.
  • Uses-Spread on sliced french bread and toast under a broiler, add a spoonful to steamed veggies, top a pan seared steak, use as a dip for breadsticks . This makes an amazing garlic butter for bread too.

Homemade Garlic Butter Recipe - The Carefree Kitchen (6)

Print

Garlic Butter Recipe

This delicious and creamy garlic butter is perfect when making garlic bread, sauteeing vegetables or to give your steak a burst of flavor!

Course Condiments

Cuisine Italian

Servings 24 people

Calories 89kcal

Author Jill Baird

Ingredients

  • 1 Cup Butter room temperature
  • 2 Tablespoons Olive Oil
  • ½ Cup Parmesan Cheese grated
  • Cup Dried Parsley
  • 2 Tablespoons Garlic Powder

Instructions

  • Add the butter to the bowl of a stand mixer and whip using the whisk attachment until light and fluffy.

  • Slowly add the olive oil while continuing to mix the butter on low.Once it is completely incorporated, add the cheese, parsley and garlic powder and mix until well combined.

  • Use immediately, or store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 months. Enjoy!

Nutrition

Calories: 89kcal | Carbohydrates: 1g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 9g | Saturated Fat: 5g | Cholesterol: 22mg | Sodium: 102mg | Potassium: 14mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 279IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 28mg | Iron: 1mg

Here are more of our favorite condiments and spreads!

  • Easy Alfredo Sauce
  • Fresh Salsa
  • Easy Guacamole
  • Marinara with Fresh Tomatoes
  • Honey Butter
  • More Sauces and Condiments

More Italian Food Favorites

  • Garlic Parmesan Chicken Breast
  • Fresh Tomatoes Marinara Sauce
  • Cheesy Breadstick Recipe
  • Artichoke Dip
  • Pizza Monkey Bread
  • Cheese Bread
  • More Bread Recipes
  • More Pasta Recipes

This delicious and creamy homemade Garlic Butter is perfect for making garlic bread, sautéing vegetables or to give your steak a burst of flavor. It's possibly the most quick and easy all-purpose condiment that you will find.

« Best Gingerbread Recipes

Pizza Monkey Bread »

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Diane

    Would using avocado oil change the taste? Thanks for recipe

    Reply

    • Jill Baird

      Avocado oil will work great in this recipe too.

      Reply

  2. Kathy

    Question- does this taste good cold - just spread on bread/ rolls/toast or does it need to be melted on to something?

    Reply

    • Carla

      This was so good. I made a small batch for dinner but it was just amazing! Thank you!! My new goto recipe!

      Reply

      • Jill Baird

        I'm so glad to hear you love it too!

        Reply

    • Carla

      It tastes great cold or melted!

      Reply

  3. valerie

    now I need the perfect lasagna recipe to go with it

    Reply

  4. Ryann

    Can this be made ahead & frozen?

    Reply

    • Annie B.

      Read….just read.

      Reply

  5. Richard

    I love this butter recipe, completely quit buying frozen garlic bread in the market, also will take a spoon full and let it melt over a ribeye on the grill.

    Reply

    • shea

      oven temp? how long for garlic bread?

      Reply

  6. Judy Mould

    Can you freeze the butter?

    Reply

  7. Wendy

    Curious... why not use fresh garlic instead of powder?

    Reply

    • sarahK@thecarefreekitchen

      Hi Wendy, you can really use either. We like to use the powder because it has a nice sweetness to it. If you prefer using all fresh, that will definitely work, too!

      Reply

  8. Shannon Koller

    Question: Do you use extra virgin olive oil or the plain olive oil that has a more neutral flavor? I’m serving lasagna and garlic bread at church this week and I think this will go perfectly! Thanks!

    Reply

  9. peanutbeanblog

    Made this today for Easter to go with French bread I made. Delish!

    Reply

    • The Carefree Kitchen

      I would probably use something milder than an extra virgin olive oil, just a regular olive oil would be great!

      Reply

  10. Luisa Perkes

    My, oh my! This looks delicious. What a genius idea!

    Reply

    • The Carefree Kitchen

      Thanks, Lu!

      Reply

Leave a Reply

Homemade Garlic Butter Recipe - The Carefree Kitchen (2024)

FAQs

How long does homemade garlic butter last in the fridge? ›

Great news: Homemade garlic butter lasts a long time. Stored in the fridge, it'll keep for up to two weeks, while in the freezer it will last up to a year. Just be sure to wrap it well or store it in an airtight container so it doesn't pick up smells from your fridge or freezer.

How do you make butter at home? ›

Here's the bottom line: Butter is simply heavy or whipping cream that's been whipped beyond its comfort zone and broken down into solid butter and liquid buttermilk. So however you make whipped cream, do it — and keep on going until the cream separates.

What is garlic butter made of? ›

Method. Stir the butter, garlic and parsley, if using, together in a small bowl. Season with a little salt (only if using unsalted butter) and black pepper. If the butter is too cold to mix, warm the ingredients in a small pan until melted and combined, then leave to cool.

How do you thicken garlic butter? ›

Garlic butter sauce is a rich, flavorful mixture made by sautéing garlic in melted butter over low heat until the butter is fully melted and minced garlic is lightly toasted. How do you thicken garlic butter sauce? To thicken, let the mixture simmer over low heat until it reduces, stirring frequently.

How to tell if garlic butter is bad? ›

Laiskonis suggests letting smell and taste be your guide to determine if your butter has gone bad: "Sour or off-flavors are the common cue, as are discoloration, and obviously the appearance of any molds.

Why did my garlic butter turn green? ›

Don't worry. Garlic that turns green is completely safe. The colour is probably the result of a reaction between sulphur compounds and amino acids (building blocks of protein) that are naturally present in garlic.

Is it OK to freeze garlic butter? ›

Even (homemade) garlic or herb butter does not have to be used up immediately. If you have too much delicious garlic butter sitting in your refrigerator that won't be eaten quickly enough, you can freeze it just like normal butter. This includes packing it airtight, dating it, and putting it in the freezer.

What is the best heavy cream for making butter? ›

The cream from Jersey cows produces the best butter because of its higher fat content milk, plus the fact that their fat is dispersed in larger globules than milk from other types of cows and tends to churn into butter more easily.

What is the best milk to make butter with? ›

Always buy heavy cream or whipping cream for churning butter. Any brand will do. You need the higher fat content. Heavy cream is approximately 40% butterfat and 60% milk solids and water.

Is heavy cream and heavy whipping cream the same thing? ›

Yes, heavy cream and heavy whipping cream are the exact same thing. The confusion lies in the fact that they're sold by different brands under two different names. According to the US Food and Drug Administration's labelling standards, heavy cream must contain at least 36 percent milk fat.

Is garlic butter good or bad for you? ›

Garlic butter is a very good source of vitamins A, E and K. It is even known to destroy harmful bacterias in our system. Even if it has saturated fats that has no harmful effects on our heart and body, it is a very good replacement for refined oil.

Is garlic butter good for blood pressure? ›

Research also indicates that garlic can have a positive impact on your arteries and blood pressure. Researchers believe red blood cells turn the sulfur in garlic into hydrogen sulfide gas. That expands our blood vessels, making it easier to regulate blood pressure.

Should homemade garlic butter be refrigerated? ›

This easy garlic butter keeps well for up to 2 weeks in the fridge. It's a delicious topping for bread, potatoes, and vegetables.

How do you soften butter for garlic butter? ›

Big tip: In order for you to make this recipe, the butter will need to be at room temperature. Set it out on the counter at least an hour ahead so that it has time to soften. When the butter is soft and spreadable, place all the ingredients in a small bowl, and stir until they are well-combined.

How to make brown butter Martha Stewart? ›

Directions
  1. Heat butter in a saucepan over medium heat until golden brown, about 10 minutes. Carefully pour butter into a bowl, leaving sediment behind.
  2. Add sugar, vanilla, and 2 tablespoons milk to butter, and stir until smooth. If glaze is too thick, add more milk. Use immediately.
Jul 13, 2017

How to make clarified butter Martha Stewart? ›

Just slowly melt unsalted butter in a saucepan over low heat. Once melted, remove it from the heat and allow the milk solids to sink to the bottom. If any foam rises to the surface, skim it using a spoon, then carefully pour the clarified butter into a heatproof jar to separate it from the solids.

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