The other day, my husband casually dropped the moniker “Fancy Meat” into a conversation, which got me reminiscing about a hilarious nickname he boasted in school. It also reminded me of the time I ambitiously whipped up a boar tenderloin with this mind-blowing herb garlic compound butter. The blood orange zest was the pièce de résistance, lending a hint of sophistication to my culinary escapade. Let’s just say those leftovers never stood a chance. It all vanished in a dollop-here-dollop-there frenzy, much to my inner New Yorker’s secret delight.
Ah, the chaos of family life. My days can be a whirlwind, but when a creative urge strikes, there’s no stopping this mama. There I was, amidst the great meat escapade, barely dodging the usual food projectiles launched by the little ones. But hey, messy is the new normal, and what’s a little messiness in the pursuit of delectable food? Honestly, who needs a clean kitchen with a five-star dish in tow?
So, today’s recipe is my pièce de résistance—pardon my French – a jaw-dropper, crowd-pleaser: my beloved Herb Garlic Butter. It’s adaptable, it’s scrumptious, and it certainly took that boar tenderloin to a whole new level—sorry husband, your nickname just got upstaged. Are you ready to experience a masterpiece in buttery form? I bet you are! Onward, fellow food crusaders!
Ingredients
- Butter – The star of this recipe, it adds a nice salty kick to the sauce.
- Garlic – A staple ingredient that gives a nice kick to the sauce.
- Parsley – A fresh herb to finish off the sauce.
Instructions
- Start by getting your equipment ready. Grab a medium-sized bowl, a fork, and a saucepan.
- Now, get your butter, garlic, and parsley. Soften the butter if it’s not already soft and chop the garlic and parsley.
- In your medium-sized bowl, add the softened butter, chopped garlic, and chopped parsley. Mix everything together until well-combined.
- Now, it’s time to melt the butter into a sauce. Add the butter mixture from the bowl to the saucepan and place it over low heat.
- Let the butter melt for about 3 minutes or until it has fully melted.
- And there you have it! Your Easy Herb Garlic Butter Sauce is ready to go!
- As a tip, if you’re using unsalted butter, add ½ teaspoon of salt to make up for the missing salt.
- Feel free to get creative with the herbs you use. Parsley is great but you can also try using thyme or rosemary or even a mix of herbs.
Serving Suggestions for Herb Garlic Butter
This delicious garlic butter is the perfect addition to any meal! Here are a few of our favorite serving suggestions:
- Brush it on grilled vegetables or proteins for an added burst of flavor.
- Mix it into mashed potatoes for a creamy and garlicky twist.
- Spread it on crusty bread for a simple and delicious garlic bread.
- Use it as a finishing sauce for pasta dishes for an elevated twist.
- Make a compound butter by rolling it in plastic wrap and refrigerating, then slice and serve over steaks.
- Bake it into biscuits for a flaky and buttery addition to any meal.
- Use it to sauté shrimp or scallops for an easy and delicious seafood dish.
FAQ’s
Can I use unsalted butter for this recipe?
Sure thing! If using unsalted butter, just add ½ teaspoon of salt to the mixture.
Can I use other herbs instead of parsley?
Absolutely! Try switching it up with thyme or rosemary, or even a mix of herbs for a unique flavor.
How long does it take to melt the butter into a sauce?
It only takes about 3 minutes to melt the butter over low heat to create a delicious sauce.
Is there a vegan alternative for this recipe?
Not exactly, but you can use vegan butter and some vegan herbs instead of using garlic butter.
Can I store this butter sauce for future use?
Yes, you can! Just be sure to store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to a month or in the freezer for up to 6 months.

Herb Garlic Butter
Equipment
- medium-sized bowl
- Saucepan
- silicone spatula or wooden spoon
- plastic wrap or parchment paper
Ingredients
- 2 sticks (1 cup) unsalted butter, softened to room temperature
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 4 tablespoons fresh parsley, finely chopped
- 1 tablespoon fresh thyme leaves, finely chopped
- 1 teaspoon lemon zest
- 1 teaspoon sea salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- In a medium-sized bowl, add the softened butter, minced garlic, chopped parsley, thyme leaves, lemon zest, sea salt, and black pepper.
- Using a silicone spatula or a wooden spoon, mix everything together until well-combined.
- Spoon the mixture onto a piece of plastic wrap or parchment paper, and use it to shape the mixture into a log. Roll the wrap or parchment paper tightly around the mixture to form a cylinder, twisting the ends to seal.
- Chill the butter in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours or until firm.
- To use the butter, simply slice off a piece and melt it over low heat in a saucepan or in the microwave.
- Use it to top steaks, seafood, vegetables, or baked potatoes, or stir it into pasta or risotto for added flavor.
Notes
If you prefer a salted butter, feel free to use salted butter instead of unsalted, but reduce the added salt to 1/2 teaspoon.
You can experiment with different herbs and seasonings to create your own unique compound butter. Try adding fresh basil, rosemary, chives, or dill for a different flavor profile.