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    Home » Recipes » Gluten-Free Sauces and Salad Dressings

    Published: Jan 5, 2022 by Jen Wooster

    Herb and Garlic Compound Butter

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    slices of garlic and herb compound butter
    plate of steamed asparagus topped with compound butter
    herb compound butter and how to use it

    This herb and garlic compound butter recipe is loaded with bold flavor. With only 10 minutes of hands-on prep time, it is the perfect complement to many savory dishes from the perfect seared steak to fresh-baked rolls, and even our favorite sous-vide asparagus.

    steak dinner topped with herb compound butter

    This post may include affiliate links. Please read my disclosure policy.

    Please read the entire post for tips and tricks to ensure a perfect recipe every time. And don't forget to tag @peelwithzeal on Instagram so we can admire your creation!

    Recently we added a new roasted turkey breast to our recipe list, along with a delicious gluten-free garlic bread recipe. Both recipes use homemade herb butter. After using the leftover herby butter for a few weeks, I realized that I needed to post a new compound butter for you all!

    Flavored butter is a simple way to add flavor to dishes without the hassle of making a sauce. And while compound butter is often found in fancy restaurants it is one of the easiest recipes for at-home cooks to replicate.

    Why we love this recipe:

    • Perfect for meal prep with less than 10 minutes of hands-on time
    • Can be made in advance and frozen, plus it keeps for weeks in the fridge
    • Loaded with flavor and can be paired with a variety of dishes
    • Naturally gluten-free
    • Can be made dairy-free or vegan using Earth Balance butter

    If you are looking for a recipe ready in 10 minutes or less try our garlic butter sauce or our Cajun butter sauce.

    Jump to:
    • 🧾Ingredients
    • ⏲️How to Make Compound Butter
    • 👩🏻‍🍳 Expert Tips
    • 💭 Variations
    • 🔪Equipment
    • 🌡️Storage
    • 💬 FAQ
    • 📖 Recipe

    🧾Ingredients

    For this recipe, you can use fresh or dried herbs, but I find that fresh herbs create a far superior result. When using dried herbs, allowing the butter to chill longer will improve the flavor.

    herb and garlic compound butter recipe ingredients laid out on counter with fresh bread
    • Unsalted Butter
    • Fresh Garlic
    • Fresh Parsley
    • Fresh Oregano
    • Fresh Basil
    • Kosher Salt and Black Pepper

    See the recipe card for quantities.

    ⏲️How to Make Compound Butter

    While this recipe is very easy, you do need to plan ahead. The recipe is made using softened butter and needs to chill for 2 hours before serving.

    Be sure to use softened butter, not melted. It will take approximately 1 hour at room temperature for the butter to soften but 2 hours is even better!

    Step 1- Prep the Herbs and Garlic

    Your fresh herbs should be chopped as small as you can manage. A fine chop will make the mixing easier and allow the herbs to flow out when the butter is melted.

    Whether using dried or fresh herbs, I like to mike them together with the minced garlic before adding to the butter to ensure even distribution of flavors.

    mixing herbs into butter

    Step 2- Mix

    Add the butter to a small mixing bowl and mash it up with a fork. Sprinkle over the herbs, garlic, salt, and pepper. Mix until well incorporated and the herbs are evenly spread throughout the butter.

    tutorial on rolling compound butter in wax paper

    Step 3- Roll and Chill

    Spoon the butter onto a piece of parchment or wax paper, Use the paper to push the butter into a log shape. Wrap with the paper around the log of butter and twist the ends to seal.

    Compound butter is usually rolled into a log, you can also add it to a small dish and tightly cover it. Scoop our as needed.

    🥗 How to Serve Compound Butter

    Slice of a ½ inch from the log and serve as desired. Compound butter is most often used on grilled and roasted meats such as bavette steaks or roasted salmon and atop roasted vegetables like roasted zucchini or baked eggplant.

    But a few alternative ways are to spread on your toasted hamburger bun or directly on the burger itself 9we love this rich butter on our favorite wagyu burger, melted over hashbrowns, or tossed with fresh pasta for a simple side dish.

    👩🏻‍🍳 Expert Tips

    • Use a spoon or small rubber spatula for mixing.
    • When doubling or tripling the recipe a stand mixer with a paddle attachment is handy for even mixing.

    💭 Variations

    The variations of compound butter flavors are endless. But for a garlic and herb butter, my favorite variation is to substitute oven-roasted garlic for the fresh garlic. The ratio is a 1 to 1 substitute.

    The roasted garlic creates a milder, sweeter flavor which makes a great pairing for seafood and lighter veggies like summer corn on the cob.

    plate of steamed asparagus topped with compound butter

    🔪Equipment

    No specialty equipment is needed for this recipe unless you are making large quantities. For presentation purposes, parchment paper is highly recommended.

    🌡️Storage

    Compound butter will keep for up to 2 weeks in a sealed container in the refrigerator. I place the wrapped logs in a plastic storage bag.

    The compound butter can also be frozen for up to 6 months in the freezer. If you want to pull out one or two pieces at a time, slice and freeze on a cooking sheet. Place the frozen discs in a freezer bag.

    💬 FAQ

    What is compound butter user for?

    Compound butter is softened, unsalted butter creamed with garlic, herbs, and other seasonings to create a flavorful topping for steaks and other grilled meats, cooked vegetables, and even baked goods. Compound butter can be made savory or sweet.

    How long does compound butter last?

    Compound butter will keep for up to 2 weeks in a sealed container in the refrigerator, or for up to 6 months in the freezer.

    If you enjoyed this recipe, please leave us a rating or a comment. It helps other wonderful people connect with our food.

    📖 Recipe

    compound butter sliced into rounds

    Herb and Garlic Compound Butter

    Garlic compound butter with herbs is easy to make, flavorful, and impressive. Compound butter is great for topping steaks, baked potatoes, vegetables, and more.
    Servings: 8
    Prep: 10 mins
    Cook: 0 mins
    Chilling Time 2 hrs
    Total: 2 hrs 10 mins
    5 from 5 votes
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    Equipment

    • Mixing bowl
    • Parchment Paper

    Ingredients
      

    • 1 stick unsalted butter softened
    • 1 tablespoon garlic, minced
    • 1 tablespoon finely chopped fresh parsley or 1 teaspoon dried
    • 1 tablespoon finely chopped fresh oregano or ½ teaspoon dried
    • 1 tablespoon finely chopped fresh basil or ½ teaspoon dried
    • ¾ teaspoon kosher salt
    • ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
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    Instructions
     

    • Allow butter to soften on the counter for at least 1 hour.
      1 stick unsalted butter
    • Mix together all ingredients. You can mix by hand or use a stand mixer with a paddle attachment.
      1 stick unsalted butter, 1 tablespoon garlic, minced, 1 tablespoon finely chopped fresh parsley, 1 tablespoon finely chopped fresh oregano, 1 tablespoon finely chopped fresh basil, ¾ teaspoon kosher salt, ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
    • Spoon the butter onto a piece of parchment paper or plastic wrap, form into a log, and wrap well. Chill for at least 2 hours before using.
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    Notes

    • Garlic compound butter will keep for up to 2 weeks in a sealed container in the refrigerator, or for up to 6 months in the freezer.
    • If your butter has salt, reduce the added salt. 
    • If you don't have wax or parchment paper you can store in a small bowl, tightly covered.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 103kcal | Carbs: 1g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 11g | Fiber: 1g
    Author: Jen Wooster
    Course:: Sauce
    Cuisine: American, French
    Keyword garlic compound butter, herb garlic butter
    Tried this recipe?Tag us @peelwithzeal so we can see your creation!

    Check out our XYZ Recipe web story!

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    My name is Jen and I am the recipe developer, writer, and photographer around here. Since being diagnosed with celiac disease over 10 years ago I have been slowly curating a recipe box full of gluten-free goodness. I adore vegetables, crave chocolate, and I am always up for an adventure.

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