Roasted Garlic Butter Recipe

The Perfect Roasted Garlic Butter Recipe for Flavor Lovers

Roasted garlic butter reimagines ordinary spreads into culinary magic with its rich, mellow flavor profile.

Creamy and intensely aromatic, this condiment elevates everything it touches.

Slow-roasting whole garlic bulbs mellows their sharp bite, creating a deeply caramelized essence that infuses smooth butter with incredible depth.

Professional chefs and home cooks alike recognize this simple technique as a game-changing kitchen hack.

The process requires minimal ingredients but delivers maximum satisfaction through its complex taste experience.

Gentle roasting softens garlic raw intensity, producing a silky, nutty spread that melts beautifully across warm breads, grilled meats, or steamed vegetables.

You’ll want to slather this luxurious butter on absolutely everything.

Foods That Pair Beautifully with Roasted Garlic Butter

  • Spread Savory Magic on Crusty Bread: Slather this roasted garlic butter on warm, freshly baked sourdough or rustic ciabatta for an incredible flavor explosion that transforms simple bread into a gourmet experience.
  • Elevate Steak Night Brilliance: Melt a generous slice of this garlic butter over perfectly grilled ribeye or New York strip steak, creating a luxurious sauce that enhances the meat's rich, smoky flavors.
  • Create Delightful Pasta Companion: Toss hot linguine or fettuccine with a few pats of this roasted garlic butter, sprinkling some grated Parmesan cheese on top for a quick, restaurant-quality side dish that bursts with aromatic goodness.
  • Wine Pairing Perfection: Complement the robust garlic and butter flavors with a crisp Sauvignon Blanc or a medium-bodied Pinot Noir that cuts through the richness while highlighting the roasted garlic's deep, mellow notes.

Creative Ways to Remix Roasted Garlic Butter

  • Herbal Infusion Butter: Enhance the roasted garlic butter by adding finely chopped fresh thyme, rosemary, or chives for an aromatic herb-packed spread.
  • Spicy Kick Butter: Mix in red pepper flakes or a dash of cayenne pepper to create a fiery version that adds heat to breads, grilled meats, or vegetables.
  • Mediterranean Blend: Incorporate crumbled feta cheese and sun-dried tomatoes into the roasted garlic butter for a tangy, Mediterranean-inspired condiment perfect for crusty bread or grilled fish.
  • Smoky Paprika Blend: Sprinkle in smoked paprika and a touch of ground cumin to transform the butter into a rich, smoky spread that complements grilled dishes and roasted vegetables.

Here’s Why Roasted Garlic Butter Deserves a Spot on Your Table

  • Unleash Intense Flavor Transformation: Roasting garlic completely changes its sharp bite into a mellow, sweet, caramelized sensation that blends perfectly with creamy butter.
  • Master Simple Gourmet Technique: This recipe turns basic ingredients into a luxurious spread using minimal kitchen skills, making restaurant-quality condiment accessible to home cooks of all levels.
  • Create Versatile Culinary Companion: Garlic butter works magic on everything from warm bread and grilled meats to roasted vegetables, instantly elevating ordinary dishes with rich, robust taste.
  • Enjoy Make-Ahead Convenience: The butter log can be prepared in advance, stored in the refrigerator, and sliced as needed, providing a quick flavor boost for spontaneous cooking adventures.

What Goes Into Making Roasted Garlic Butter

Main Ingredients:

Roasted Garlic and Butter:
  • Garlic Bulbs: Sweet and mellow when roasted, creates a rich and creamy base for the butter.
  • Butter: Creamy and smooth, provides a rich foundation for the roasted garlic flavor.

Seasoning Ingredients:

Herbs and Seasonings:
  • Parsley: Fresh herb that adds a bright, clean flavor and green color to the butter.
  • Sea Salt: Enhances the overall flavor and balances the richness of the roasted garlic and butter.

Preparation Ingredients:

Cooking and Storage Ingredients:
  • Olive Oil: Helps roast the garlic evenly and adds a subtle fruity note.
  • Aluminum Foil: Protects the garlic during roasting and helps retain moisture.
  • Parchment Paper: Assists in shaping and storing the butter log.

Step-by-Step Guide to Roasted Garlic Butter

Step 1: Prepare Oven and Garlic

Preheat the oven to 350°F (180°C). Grab a fresh garlic bulb and slice it in half crosswise, exposing the cloves.

Step 2: Drizzle and Wrap Garlic

Gently drizzle olive oil over each garlic half, ensuring complete coverage. Carefully reunite the halves and wrap them snugly in aluminum foil.

Step 3: Roast the Garlic

Place the foil-wrapped garlic in the oven and roast for 45 minutes. Look for a golden brown color and soft texture as indicators of doneness.

Step 4: Cool and Extract Garlic

Remove garlic from the oven and let it rest for 10 minutes. Unwrap the foil and allow it to cool until comfortable to handle. Softly squeeze the roasted garlic cloves out of their papery skins into a mixing bowl.

Step 5: Create Garlic Butter

Add the following ingredients to the bowl:
  • Room temperature butter
  • Chopped fresh parsley
  • Sea salt

Use a fork to mash and blend the ingredients until smooth and well combined.

Step 6: Shape and Store Butter

Lay out a piece of parchment paper. Transfer the garlic butter mixture onto the paper and shape into a log. Twist the ends to seal securely. Refrigerate for 2 hours until firm. Slice and serve as desired.

Flavor Boosting Tips for Roasted Garlic Butter

  • Choose Fresh Garlic: Select plump, firm bulbs without bruises or soft spots for the most intense flavor.
  • Control Roasting Temperature: Keep oven at exact 350ºF to prevent burning and ensure even caramelization of garlic cloves.
  • Check Garlic Softness: Gently press roasted garlic – it should feel completely tender and spreadable when perfectly cooked.
  • Blend Ingredients Thoroughly: Use a fork or small whisk to incorporate butter and garlic completely, eliminating any lumps.
  • Store Smartly: Wrap garlic butter log tightly in plastic wrap after chilling to maintain freshness and prevent absorbing other refrigerator odors.

How to Store Roasted Garlic Butter and Bring It Back to Life

  • Refrigeration: Wrap the roasted garlic butter log tightly in plastic wrap or store in an airtight container. Keep refrigerated for up to 7 days, maintaining its rich flavor and creamy texture.
  • Freezing: For longer storage, freeze the butter log wrapped in plastic wrap and placed inside a freezer bag. Frozen garlic butter stays fresh for 3 months, perfect for future meal preparations.
  • Thawing and Serving: Remove from the freezer and let the butter thaw in the refrigerator overnight. Slice into rounds and serve on warm bread, melted over grilled meats, or stirred into pasta for an instant flavor boost.
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Roasted Garlic Butter Recipe

Roasted Garlic Butter Recipe


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4.7 from 17 reviews

  • Total Time: 1 hour
  • Yield: 8 1x

Description

Roasted Garlic Butter brings Italian countryside warmth to kitchen counters everywhere. Rich, aromatic garlic slowly caramelizes into silky smooth butter, creating an irresistible spread perfect for crusty bread or elegant pasta dishes.


Ingredients

Scale

Main Ingredients:

  • 8 ounces (226 grams) unsalted butter, at room temperature
  • 2 whole bulbs garlic

Herbs and Seasonings:

  • 1 tablespoon chopped parsley
  • 1 teaspoon sea salt

Oil:

  • 2 teaspoons olive oil

Instructions

  1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit (180 degrees Celsius), preparing a workspace for transforming simple garlic into a luxurious spread.
  2. Select whole garlic bulbs and slice them precisely in half crosswise, exposing the delicate clove interiors.
  3. Gently drizzle extra virgin olive oil over the exposed garlic halves, ensuring each surface is lightly coated.
  4. Carefully reunite the garlic halves and encase them completely in aluminum foil, creating a sealed roasting packet.
  5. Transfer the wrapped garlic to the preheated oven and roast for approximately 45 minutes, allowing the cloves to caramelize and soften into a golden-brown state.
  6. Remove the garlic from the oven and let it rest for 10 minutes, allowing the intense heat to dissipate.
  7. Once cool enough to handle, delicately squeeze the now-tender roasted garlic cloves from their papery skins directly into a mixing bowl.
  8. Add softened unsalted butter at room temperature, finely chopped fresh parsley, and high-quality sea salt to the roasted garlic.
  9. Using a fork, thoroughly mash and integrate the ingredients until they form a smooth, harmonious mixture.
  10. Transfer the garlic butter onto a sheet of parchment paper, then roll and shape into a uniform log.
  11. Carefully twist the parchment paper’s ends to seal the log securely.
  12. Refrigerate the butter for approximately 2 hours until it firms up completely.
  13. When ready to serve, slice the chilled garlic butter into elegant rounds and enjoy.

Notes

  • Roasting transforms raw garlic into a sweet, mellow flavor that’s incredibly rich and smooth.
  • Wrapping garlic in foil helps steam and caramelize the cloves, preventing burning during the long roasting process.
  • Room temperature butter ensures smooth blending and easier incorporation of roasted garlic for a silky, spreadable consistency.
  • Chilling the garlic butter log allows it to firm up, making it simple to slice and serve on bread, vegetables, or grilled meats.
  • Fresh parsley adds a bright, herbaceous note that cuts through the butter’s richness and enhances the overall flavor profile.
  • Store the garlic butter in the refrigerator for up to one week, or freeze for longer preservation and convenient future use.
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 45 minutes
  • Category: Snacks, Dinner
  • Method: Roasting
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 8
  • Calories: 175 kcal
  • Sugar: 0.1 g
  • Sodium: 190 mg
  • Fat: 19 g
  • Saturated Fat: 12 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
  • Trans Fat: 0.5 g
  • Carbohydrates: 1 g
  • Fiber: 0.1 g
  • Protein: 0.2 g
  • Cholesterol: 50 mg
Lucas Bennett

Lucas Bennett

Founder & Recipe Creator

Expertise

Simple Everyday Recipes, Sustainable Cooking Practices, Creative Meal Planning, Recipe Testing and Improvement

Education

Fox Valley Technical College, Appleton, Wisconsin

  • Degree: Associate of Applied Science in Culinary Arts
  • Focus: Practical culinary training, fundamental cooking techniques, meal planning, and using fresh, local ingredients.

Lake Superior College, Duluth, Minnesota

  • Program: Certificate in Sustainable Food Systems
  • Focus: Cooking methods that promote sustainability, farm-to-table practices, and eco-friendly meal creation.

Lucas Bennett’s cooking journey started in his parents’ kitchen, where he learned to prepare tasty, no-fuss meals from scratch. His culinary passion led him to Fox Valley Technical College, where he gained practical cooking skills.
He then expanded his focus on sustainability at Lake Superior College. Today, Lucas shares easy, approachable recipes designed to make cooking enjoyable and stress-free for everyone.

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