5-Minute Herb Butter Recipe That Will Transform Your Cooking • Longbourn Farm

This simple Herb Butter Recipe is packed with fresh flavors and will instantly upgrade any dish from steaks to vegetables. The combination of fresh herbs, garlic, and lemon zest creates the most delicious compound herb butter - you'll want to have it on the table with every meal!

two cooked steaks on a black plate topped with dollops of steak herb butter recipe.

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🧈 This herb butter recipe works magic on practically everything. Melt it over grilled steaks, spread it on warm bread, or use it to finish roasted vegetables!

Table of Contents

My 2 Best Tips For Perfecting This Herb Butter Recipe

Herb Quality Matters: Since herbs are the star of this recipe, source the freshest possible varieties. Remove any woody stems from rosemary and thyme, and make sure all herbs are completely dry before chopping to prevent the butter from becoming watery.
Smoother Texture: For an ultra-smooth herb butter, pulse the garlic and herbs in a food processor first, then add the softened butter and process until completely incorporated. This creates a more refined texture and ensures even distribution of flavors.

melissa leaning over counter looking up from a cook book.

You can use whatever fresh herbs you have on hand and switch up the flavor profiles to your preference. For example, you can swap out the fresh rosemary or fresh parsley for oregano - it's up to you!

This is the same technique used in high-end restaurants to finish dishes with a glossy, flavorful finish. Your friends and family will wonder how you achieved such professional results with minimal effort.

This compound herb butter is so simple to make and is a great way to spruce up all kinds of dishes. Every home chef needs a few tricks up their sleeve for their next special meal - and this is one of them!

🩷 Melissa

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scoops of steak herb butter on a lined baking sheet.

Ultimate Herb Butter

Melissa Griffiths

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Prep Time 10

Total Time 10

Servings tablespoons

Calories 59 kcal

Equipment

Ingredients

1 cup butter (softened, salted)
3 cloves garlic (minced)
2 teaspoons lemon zest
1 tablespoon parsley (fresh, minced)
1 tabelspoon basil (fresh, minced)
1 teaspoon thyme (fresh, minced)
1 teaspoon rosemary (fresh, minced)
1 teaspoon salt
¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)

Instructions

Combine all of the ingredients in a medium sized bowl.
Mix well by hand or with a mixer or food processor.
On a lined sheet, portion out tablespoons of the compound butter.
Place in the freezer for 2 hours, until frozen.
Remove and put them in a storage bag or container. Store in the freezer and use as needed.

Notes

What Is Compound Butter? If you've never heard the term 'compound butter' before, you're probably wondering what it is. Compound butter is simply butter combined with additional ingredients to give it a unique flavor. Garlic, herbs, and spices are often used to make compound butter - but you can get creative with your ingredients and make all sorts of flavored butter.

Flavor Options:

I really like using chives and a tiny bit of onion in this butter!
Add blue cheese for a special steak butter.
Add honey to the butter for serving on cornbread and biscuits.
Lemon and dill mixed into the butter is so good on fish!

Shape Before Freezing: For elegant presentation, roll the herb butter into a log using parchment paper before freezing. This allows you to slice perfect rounds whenever needed. Alternatively, fill a piping bag and pipe decorative shapes onto parchment paper before freezing.

Room Temperature Rule: Always allow the herb butter to come to room temperature before spreading on bread or using as a spread. However, when finishing hot dishes like steak or vegetables, use it directly from the freezer so it melts slowly and creates a beautiful sauce.

Serving Suggestions: Compound herb butter adds flavor and moisture to fresh vegetables and other types of meat. Here are some of my favorite ways to use this butter:

Add some to crispy roasted potatoes after baking
Or on top of grilled salmon for amazing flavor
Spread on a fresh dinner roll
Or use it to make cheesy garlic bread

Nutrition

Calories: 59kcalCarbohydrates: 0.2gProtein: 0.1gFat: 7gSaturated Fat: 4gPolyunsaturated Fat: 0.2gMonounsaturated Fat: 2gTrans Fat: 0.3gCholesterol: 17mgSodium: 136mgPotassium: 5mgFiber: 0.04gSugar: 0.02gVitamin A: 225IUVitamin C: 1mgCalcium: 3mgIron: 0.04mg

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Recipe FAQs

How long does herb butter last in the freezer?

Properly stored herb butter will maintain excellent quality in the freezer for up to 6 months. For best results, wrap individual portions tightly in plastic wrap, then store them in an airtight container or freezer bag to prevent freezer burn.

Can I use dried herbs instead of fresh?

Yes, you can substitute dried herbs, but you'll need to reduce the quantities significantly. As a general rule, use one-third the amount of dried herbs compared to fresh (for example, use 1 teaspoon dried basil instead of 1 tablespoon fresh). Keep in mind that fresh herbs provide brighter flavors and better texture in this recipe.

What's the best way to soften butter quickly?

For the best texture, allow butter to soften naturally at room temperature for about 30-45 minutes. If you're short on time, cut the butter into small cubes to speed up the process. Avoid microwaving, as partially melted butter won't incorporate the herbs properly or achieve the right consistency.