Artisan Garlic Butter

Essential Ingredients for Perfect Garlic Butter

Crafting this incredible garlic butter spread requires only a handful of common ingredients, each playing a crucial role in developing its rich flavor and delightful texture. Here’s what you’ll need:

• Butter: We recommend using high-quality salted butter for this recipe, as it naturally enhances the overall flavor. However, if you are monitoring your sodium intake, unsalted butter is a perfectly fine substitute; just remember to adjust the seasoning to taste. The most important tip here is to ensure your butter is at room temperature. This is key for achieving that light, fluffy, whipped consistency, as cold butter will not incorporate properly.
• Olive Oil: A good quality extra virgin olive oil not only adds a beautiful richness but also imparts an authentic Italian depth to the garlic spread. While extra virgin is preferred for its robust flavor, any good olive oil will work wonderfully in this recipe, contributing to the smooth texture and luxurious mouthfeel.
• Parmesan Cheese: Finely grated Parmesan cheese is ideal for this spread. Its sharp, nutty flavor melts beautifully and integrates seamlessly into the butter, providing a savory counterpoint to the garlic. Avoid coarsely shredded cheese, as it may not blend as smoothly.
• Dried Parsley: For optimal storage and consistent flavor, dried parsley is recommended unless you plan to use the entire batch of garlic butter immediately. Dried herbs retain their flavor well over time and prevent any potential moisture issues that fresh herbs might introduce during longer storage.
• Garlic Powder: The cornerstone of our garlic butter! Opt for 100% pure garlic powder for the best and most intense garlic flavor. It offers a convenient way to infuse strong garlic notes without the raw bite or texture of fresh minced garlic, making for a smoother, more evenly flavored spread.

Step-by-Step Guide: Crafting Your Own Garlic Butter

Making this incredible whipped garlic butter is a breeze, taking mere minutes from start to finish. Follow these simple steps for a perfect batch every time:

1. Whip the Butter to Perfection: Begin by placing your room-temperature butter into the bowl of a stand mixer. Using the whisk attachment, whip the butter on medium-high speed until it becomes noticeably light, fluffy, and pale in color. This process incorporates air, giving the spread its signature whipped texture.
2. Combine Remaining Ingredients: With the mixer still running on low speed, slowly drizzle in the olive oil. Continue mixing until the olive oil is completely incorporated into the butter, creating a smooth, cohesive mixture. Once blended, add the grated Parmesan cheese, dried parsley, and garlic powder. Increase the speed slightly and mix until all the ingredients are thoroughly combined and evenly distributed throughout the butter. Scrape down the sides of the bowl as needed to ensure everything is well mixed.
3. Enjoy or Store: Your homemade garlic butter is now ready to use! Spread it immediately on warm bread, add it to sautéed dishes, or melt it over grilled meats. For future enjoyment, transfer the garlic butter to an airtight container. It will keep beautifully in the refrigerator for up to two months, always ready to infuse your meals with incredible flavor.

Mastering the Art of Homemade Garlic Bread

With your homemade garlic butter ready, crafting the best garlic bread is the easiest part. Follow these steps for golden, crispy, and incredibly flavorful results:

1. Prepare Your Bread: Start with a fresh loaf of French bread or any crusty loaf you prefer. Slice it into 1-inch thick pieces. For an even more rustic touch, you can slice it lengthwise down the middle.
2. Spread the Garlic Goodness: Generously spread your freshly made homemade garlic butter onto each slice of bread. Ensure an even layer, reaching close to the edges for maximum flavor in every bite.
3. Broil to Golden Perfection: Arrange the buttered bread slices on a baking sheet. Broil on low in your oven, keeping a close eye on it. The goal is to achieve a beautiful golden brown color and bubbly, melted Parmesan cheese. This quick broiling process melts the butter, toasts the bread, and allows the flavors to meld perfectly. Watch carefully, as broilers can vary and bread can go from golden to burnt quickly! Serve immediately and enjoy the irresistible aroma and taste.

When stored in an airtight container, homemade garlic butter will maintain its freshness and flavor in the refrigerator for up to two months. This makes it an excellent make-ahead condiment.

Absolutely! You can use either salted or unsalted butter in this recipe. If you opt for salted butter, you might find you need to slightly reduce any additional salt you would normally add to your dishes, depending on your personal taste preference.

The versatility of this garlic butter is truly remarkable! It’s fantastic for making classic garlic bread, but it also shines when sautéing vegetables, spreading over grilled or pan-seared steak, melting into hot mashed potatoes, enhancing pasta dishes, or even basting roasted chicken. The possibilities are endless!

Yes, you can definitely freeze homemade garlic butter for extended storage. To do so, portion it into smaller amounts (e.g., in an ice cube tray or small logs), wrap each portion tightly in plastic wrap, and then store them in an airtight freezer-safe container or bag for up to six months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before use.

Expert Tips for the Best Garlic Butter Spread

To ensure your homemade garlic butter spread turns out perfectly every time, keep these helpful tips and tricks in mind:

• Room Temperature Butter is Non-Negotiable: This is the single most important tip for achieving that smooth, whipped consistency. If you forget to take your butter out ahead of time, a quick trick is to cut it into smaller pieces and microwave it for just 5-10 seconds at a time until it’s softened but not melted. You want it pliable, not liquid.
• Parmesan Cheese Options: While finely grated Parmesan cheese works best for seamless incorporation, feel free to experiment. You can use Parmesan powder for a very smooth texture, or a mix of finely shredded and grated for a slight textural difference. The key is to use good quality Parmesan for superior flavor.
• Dried vs. Fresh Parsley: For optimal shelf life and a consistently strong herb flavor that doesn’t fade, dried parsley is recommended. If you plan to use all the garlic butter immediately, fresh, finely chopped parsley can certainly be used for a brighter, garden-fresh note. However, for a spread designed for longer refrigeration, dried is the way to go.
• Adjusting Garlic Intensity: This recipe calls for 2 tablespoons of garlic powder, which provides a robust garlic flavor. If you prefer a milder taste, start with 1.5 tablespoons and add more if desired. For garlic lovers, you can even increase it slightly, but be careful not to overpower the other flavors.
• Enhance with Fresh Garlic (Optional): While garlic powder is excellent for a smooth spread and long shelf life, if you plan to use the butter right away, you can add 1-2 cloves of finely minced fresh garlic for an extra pungent kick. Just be aware that fresh garlic may slightly reduce the spread’s shelf life.

Storing Your Homemade Garlic Butter for Freshness

Proper storage is crucial to ensure your homemade garlic butter remains fresh and flavorful for as long as possible. Here’s how to store it effectively:

• Refrigerator: For everyday use, transfer any unused whipped garlic butter into an airtight container. Store it in the refrigerator, where it will stay fresh and delicious for up to 2 months. This allows you to have a ready supply for all your culinary needs.
• Freezer: If you’ve made a larger batch or want to keep some on hand for longer periods, garlic butter freezes exceptionally well. Portion the leftover garlic butter into smaller, manageable sizes – you can roll it into logs, press it into an ice cube tray, or simply spoon it into small containers. Wrap each portion tightly in plastic wrap, then place them in a freezer-safe bag or another airtight container. It will remain fresh in the freezer for up to 6 months. To use, simply transfer the desired amount to the refrigerator overnight to thaw before using.