Garlic butter is one of those classics everyone knows, yet surprisingly few people actually make it themselves. Such a shame, really, because once you try it, you immediately realize how big the difference is.
Homemade garlic butter is softer, creamier, far more aromatic and just… downright divine. The store-bought version always tastes a little bland afterwards.

And the best part? You only need a few ingredients, and your little jar is ready in five minutes. Perfect for a BBQ, with grilled vegetables, on a crispy piece of French bread, or simply to give your favorite dishes that little extra boost.

In our kitchen, it has become a real staple. Sometimes I still buy a ready-made roll — just to save a little time — but every single time I regret it. The flavor never comes close to the one you make at home.

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What Does Garlic Butter Go Well With? (Short answer: almost everything)

Garlic butter is incredibly versatile. Here are a few of our favorites:

• At the BBQ
  On roasted meat, a baked potato, or on baguette slices you briefly toast on the grill. Homemade garlic bread is honestly the best!
  
• With shrimp
  We always fry shrimp in a generous chunk of garlic butter. The butter melts instantly and becomes a wonderful little sauce.
  
• With pasta and casseroles
  Especially with lasagna — a piece of bread with garlic butter is perfect for scooping up the sauce.
  
• With grilled vegetables
  Try it with grilled zucchini or mushrooms. So simple, so good.
  
• In mashed potatoes
  Add a small knob, let it melt, and the smell alone will make your mouth water.

Once you have garlic butter in the house, you’ll start adding little knobs of it to everything.

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Salted or Unsalted Butter?

A lot of people wonder which butter works best. Here’s the quick version:

• Using salted butter?
  Then you usually don’t need to add any extra salt.
• Using unsalted butter?
  Add a tiny pinch of salt — it really lifts the garlic flavor.

Saltes or unsalted doesn’t really matter, but make sure you use a good quality butter. Real butter made from raw milk or cream.

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Homemade Garlic Butter: The Recipe

Preparation time: 5 minutes

Ingredients

• 100 g soft, good-quality butter (about 7 tablespoons or 3.5 oz)
  (Salted or unsalted — see tip above)
• ½ clove fresh garlic
• 1 tablespoon fresh chives
• Pinch of salt (only if using unsalted butter)
• Optional: chive flowers for color and extra flavor

Tip: If you don’t have fresh garlic, garlic powder works fine. Use a little less (about ¼ teaspoon) and taste as you go.

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How to Make It

1. Let the butter come to room temperature.
   This makes everything much easier. Mixing cold butter is a battle you won’t win.
   
2. Peel the garlic clove and cut it in half.
   Fresh garlic is strong — half a clove is usually enough. Press it through a garlic press.
   
3. Finely chop the chives.
   Kitchen scissors work wonderfully here, but a regular knife is perfectly fine.

How to Store Homemade Garlic Butter

Garlic butter keeps for about one week in the fridge.
I store mine in a small jar with a tight-fitting lid.

Want to keep it longer?

Freezing Garlic Butter

Roll the butter in parchment paper and shape it into a log, just like the store-bought versions.
Slice it into coins and freeze them individually.

Then you simply take out one slice whenever you need it.
Perfect for shrimp or when you want to brighten up a quick meal.

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Variations

Garlic butter is a base recipe you can personalize endlessly. Here are a few delicious ideas:

1. Garlic Herb Butter

Add extra herbs like:

• parsley
• tarragon
• thyme
• oregano

Perfect for BBQ or grilled chicken.

2. Garlic Butter with Lemon

Add a bit of lemon zest and a few drops of lemon juice.
Fresh, aromatic, and fantastic with fish or shrimp.

3. Garlic Butter with Paprika & Chili

• ½ teaspoon paprika powder
• pinch of chili flakes

Amazing on grilled corn, eggplant, or a nice steak.

4. Garlic Butter with Parmesan

Add a small tablespoon of finely grated Parmesan.
Perfect on baguette in the oven — instant garlic toast.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use garlic powder?

Yes! Just use a bit less and taste as you go. Garlic powder is milder but adds a lovely deep flavor.

Can I make garlic butter lactose-free?

Absolutely! Use a good lactose-free butter or margarine.
The texture becomes a bit softer, but the taste stays great.

What kind of garlic works best?

Fresh garlic has the most intense flavor.
Older garlic is milder and sometimes a little sweeter — also tasty, but less pronounced.

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Final Thoughts

Whether you’re hosting a BBQ, frying shrimp in a pan, or simply want to brighten up a weekday dinner: a small knob of homemade garlic butter makes everything better.
And the best part? Your house instantly smells like a chef just passed through your kitchen.

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