This Roasted Garlic Compound Butter recipe is the perfect addition to your kitchen repertoire! With creamy, unsalted butter and roasted garlic cloves combined with fresh herbs, it makes for a delicious condiment that can elevate everything from garlic bread to roast chicken. Making roasted garlic compound butter might seem tricky, but I’ll guide you through each step, ensuring it's simple and easy. Using just a handful of simple ingredients, you can create this flavorful butter that’s perfect for spreading on fresh bread or adding to your favorite savory dish. Trust me, once you try it, you’ll want to make it again and again!
Garlic has always been a staple in my kitchen, but this Roasted Garlic Compound Butter is truly a game changer! I love how roasting garlic transforms its sharp flavor into something sweet and mellow, making it the perfect companion for creamy, unsalted butter. Whether you're spreading it on garlic bread or melting it over a juicy roast chicken, this garlic herb compound butter elevates any dish with just a few simple ingredients. I especially enjoy how versatile it is—you can add fresh parsley or other herbs to suit your taste. Once you try this, you'll never want to go back to regular butter again!
Some other recipes I think you'll love: Cranberry Sauce, Turkey Gravy, Mint Gremolata, and Garlic Confit.
Jump to:
🌟 Why You'll Love this Recipe
- It’s a great way to elevate any meal! Roasted garlic compound butter adds a rich, savory depth to everything from garlic bread to roasted vegetables—it's a simple yet impactful addition.
- Only a few simple ingredients! With unsalted butter, roasted garlic cloves, and fresh herbs, you can whip up this delicious condiment with pantry staples you likely already have on hand.
- It stores beautifully! Make it ahead and keep it in an airtight container for easy slicing whenever you need a flavorful boost to your favorite dishes!
🥘 Ingredients
- Unsalted Butter – Unsalted butter is the foundation of this roasted garlic compound butter. Its smooth, creamy texture perfectly balances the rich flavor of roasted garlic. Using 100 grams of room temperature butter ensures it blends seamlessly, making it easy to spread on garlic bread, dinner rolls, or to melt over roast chicken. Opt for high-quality, European-style butter for an even creamier result.
- Garlic Heads – Roasted garlic is the star of this recipe. Roasting 3 whole heads of raw garlic mellows out their sharpness, transforming them into sweet, buttery garlic cloves. Simply slice off the tops, drizzle with olive oil, and roast until golden brown and fragrant. Once roasted, squeeze out the tender cloves to mix into the butter for maximum flavor impact.
- Fresh Herbs – A ¼ cup of fresh herbs, such as parsley, rosemary, thyme, or chives, adds a fragrant, herbal note that complements the roasted garlic. These herbs bring a fresh, bright contrast to the rich, buttery texture of the compound butter. Finely chop the herbs so they mix evenly and release their natural oils into the butter for a burst of flavor.
- Kosher Salt – A pinch of kosher salt enhances the natural flavors of the roasted garlic and herbs without overpowering them. Its coarse texture helps evenly distribute seasoning throughout the butter. Adjust the amount to your taste, but a teaspoon should be enough to elevate the flavors perfectly.
- Black Pepper – Freshly ground black pepper brings a subtle heat and depth to the compound butter. Just a few cracks of the pepper will highlight the sweetness of the roasted garlic and the freshness of the herbs. Add according to your taste preference for that extra hint of spice.
- Olive Oil – A drizzle of olive oil is essential when roasting the garlic. It helps soften the garlic and adds a slight fruity richness to the cloves as they roast to golden perfection. Use a high-quality extra virgin olive oil to enhance the garlic's flavor and ensure a smooth, luxurious texture when mashed into the butter.
See recipe card for quantities.
🔪 Step by Step Instructions
Preheat the Air Fryer or Oven: Preheat your air fryer to 200°C (400°F) or oven to 180°C (365°F). This will ensure it's ready to perfectly roast the garlic.
Prepare the Garlic: Slice the tops off the 3 heads of garlic using a sharp knife to expose the garlic cloves. Place the garlic heads on a piece of aluminum foil, drizzle with 2 tablespoons of olive oil, and sprinkle with 1 teaspoon of kosher salt.
Roast the Garlic: Wrap the garlic heads in the foil tightly and place them in the air fryer or oven. Roast for 25 minutes in the air fryer or 1 hour in the oven until the garlic is soft and golden brown.
Mash the Roasted Garlic: Once the garlic is roasted, carefully open the foil to let the steam escape. Allow it to cool slightly. Then, squeeze the softened garlic cloves out of their skins and mash them into a smooth paste with a fork in a small bowl.
Mix the Garlic with Butter: Add the mashed garlic to 100 grams of room temperature unsalted butter in the small bowl. Stir until fully combined, ensuring the roasted garlic is evenly distributed throughout the butter.
Add Fresh Herbs and Black Pepper: Finely chop ¼ cup of fresh herbs (such as parsley, thyme, or rosemary) and add them to the butter mixture. Season with a pinch of freshly ground black pepper. Mix everything together until smooth.
Transfer and Store: Transfer the roasted garlic compound butter to an airtight container for storage. Alternatively, roll it into a log using wax paper for easy slicing. Store in the fridge for up to a week or freeze for longer use.
👩🏼🍳 Chef's Tips
- Choosing Garlic – Use fresh, whole heads of garlic for the best flavor. Roasting mellows the garlic, creating a sweet and rich taste that elevates the butter. Avoid pre-peeled or jarred garlic as they lack the depth of flavor you get from fresh garlic cloves.
- Roasting the Garlic – For perfectly roasted garlic, make sure to drizzle olive oil over the garlic heads and wrap them tightly in aluminum foil. This helps the garlic roast evenly and prevents it from drying out. Roast until golden brown and soft for the best results.
- Mixing the Butter – Ensure the butter is at room temperature before mixing it with the roasted garlic and herbs. This allows for easy blending and creates a smooth, creamy texture.
- Storing for Easy Slicing – Roll the roasted garlic compound butter in wax paper or plastic wrap after mixing and store it in the fridge. This method allows for easy slicing, perfect for topping grilled meats or spreading on fresh bread.
- Adding Extra Flavor – For more complexity, try adding a pinch of red pepper flakes or lemon zest to the butter. These small additions can give the butter an extra kick or a burst of freshness, perfect for pairing with seafood or roasted vegetables.
📖 Substitutions & Variations
Salted Butter for Unsalted Butter – If you don’t have unsalted butter on hand, you can substitute it with salted butter. Just be sure to adjust the amount of kosher salt in the recipe to avoid over-seasoning the roasted garlic compound butter. Start with a small amount and taste as you go.
Dried Herbs for Fresh Herbs – If fresh herbs like rosemary, thyme, or parsley aren't available, substitute them with dried herbs. Use about one-third the amount of dried herbs (1 tablespoon) since their flavors are more concentrated. This still brings a fragrant, savory note to the butter, although fresh herbs add more brightness.
Granulated Garlic for Roasted Garlic – If you’re short on time, you can substitute roasted garlic with granulated garlic or garlic powder. While it won’t have the same sweet depth, it will still infuse the butter with a bold garlic flavor. Start with ½ teaspoon and adjust to taste.
Chili Flakes for Black Pepper – Want to add a little heat? Substitute freshly ground black pepper with a pinch of red chili flakes. This addition will give the compound butter a spicy kick that pairs well with roasted meats or vegetables.
Lemon Zest – For a burst of freshness, add a teaspoon of lemon zest to the roasted garlic compound butter. The citrusy flavor complements the richness of the butter and the sweetness of the roasted garlic, making it perfect for seafood or vegetables.
Parmesan Cheese – For extra savory depth, mix in parmesan cheese. A tablespoon or two of finely grated parmesan adds a nutty, salty flavor that works well when spreading the butter on garlic bread or serving it over pasta.
🍴 Serving Suggestions
Garlic Bread – Serve this roasted garlic compound butter slathered on fresh garlic bread for an irresistible side. Toast some French or Italian bread, spread on the butter, and broil until golden brown. The roasted garlic butter adds a rich, savory depth that takes garlic bread to the next level.
Roasted Vegetables – Drizzle your favorite roasted vegetables with this garlic herb compound butter for a burst of flavor. It melts beautifully over roasted carrots, Brussels sprouts, or potatoes, adding a rich, garlicky finish with the perfect balance of fresh herbs.
Grilled Steak or Chicken – This roasted garlic compound butter is a great addition to top off grilled steak or chicken. Add a pat of the butter over the top of hot meat and let it melt for a delicious, creamy burst of flavor with every bite.
Mashed Potatoes – Mix a few spoonfuls of this roasted garlic herb butter into mashed potatoes for a savory, creamy dish that’s bursting with garlicky goodness. It’s a simple way to elevate a classic side dish into something extra special.
Warm Dinner Rolls – Spread the butter on freshly baked dinner rolls for a quick and easy way to add flavor. The roasted garlic and herbs pair perfectly with warm, fluffy rolls, making this a crowd-pleaser at the dinner table.
Seafood – Serve this garlic compound butter with grilled shrimp, lobster, or baked fish. The roasted garlic adds depth without overpowering the delicate flavors of seafood, while the herbs keep it light and fresh.
💭 Recipe FAQs
Yes, you can use salted butter if that's what you have on hand. Just be mindful of the amount of kosher salt you add to the recipe. Start with less salt and adjust to taste as you mix the ingredients, so the butter doesn't end up too salty.
Absolutely! This butter can be made in advance and stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to a week. For longer storage, you can freeze it in a log form using wax paper or plastic wrap for up to 3 months. Simply slice off portions as needed!
🥣 Storage & Reheating
Storage – Store leftover roasted garlic compound butter in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 1 week. You can also roll it into a log using wax paper and freeze it for up to 3 months for easy slicing later.
🌿 Related Recipes
🥗 Pairing Recommendations
Did you make this recipe? Please leave a 5-star ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ rating & comment below to let me know how it came out. Thanks for visiting!
📋 Recipe
Homemade Herb & Roasted Garlic Compound Butter
Want to Save This Recipe?
Enter your email & I'll send it to your inbox. Plus, get great new recipes from me every week!
By submitting this form, you consent to receive emails from Meghan It Up.
Equipment
- Air fryer or oven
- Aluminum Foil
- Knife
- Cutting board
- Fork
- Small bowl
- Measuring spoons
Ingredients
- 3 heads garlic whole
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 100 grams butter ½ cup, room temperature
- ¼ cup fresh herbs rosemary, thyme, chives, parsley, or scallions
Instructions
- Preheat air fryer or oven: Preheat air fryer to 200°C / 400°F or oven to 180°C / 365°F.
- Prepare garlic: Slice the tops off the garlic heads using a knife. Place each garlic head on aluminum foil, drizzle with 2 tablespoons olive oil, and sprinkle with 1 teaspoon salt.
- Roast garlic: Wrap the garlic tightly in the foil. Air fry for 25 minutes at 200°C / 400°F or bake in the oven for 1 hour at 180°C / 365°F.
- Open foil with caution: Carefully open the foil to release the steam. Let the garlic cool slightly before handling.
- Mash garlic: Squeeze the roasted garlic cloves out of their skins and mash with a fork until smooth.
- Mix butter and herbs: In a small bowl, combine the mashed garlic with 100 grams (½ cup) softened butter. Add ¼ cup fresh herbs (rosemary, thyme, chives, parsley, or scallions) and mix well.
- Serve or store: Your roasted garlic compound butter is ready to use immediately or can be stored in the refrigerator. You can also roll it into a log using parchment paper for easy slicing.
🌡️ Food safety
- Use oils with high smoking point to avoid harmful compounds
- Always have good ventilation when using a gas stove
Leave a Reply