Herb butters and flavor to vegetables and meats. They are quick to prepare, and make a big impact for little effort. Read on to learn how to make herb butter, step by step.
How to Use Herb Butter
- Blue cheese or garlic herb butter enhances steak.
- Tarragon flavored herb butter perks up salmon.
- Herb butter can be served with breads or rolls.
- Place between the skin and the meat of chicken before roasting.
Introduction
Mixing herbs with butter is a simple way to make a sauce that adds some zip to your meals. Herb butters can be made ahead, and refrigerated or frozen until needed. They can be stored in small bowls, wrapped in waxed paper, or molded into decorative shapes.
How to Make Garlic Herb Butter
This video demonstrates the preparation two different garlic butters. The first recipe combines dry and fresh herbs with well softened butter by hand, and the second combines roasted garlic with blue cheese in the food processor. She gives some suggestions on how to use flavored butters, and also suggests different variations.
There's a good demonstration of how to prepare the butter for freezing at about 2:20 into the video
Step 1: What You Need to Make Herb Butter
Lay out all ingredients before beginning. A food processor makes the process of making herb butter quick and easy, but is not essential.
- 1-4 tablespoons of fresh herbs, minced
- 1-2 cloves of garlic, minced if desired
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 8 ounces unsalted butter, softened
- An electric mixer or food processor
- Parchment or waxed paper
Step 2: How to Make Herb Butter
How to Make Herb Butter In a Food Processor
- Place herbs in processor and pulse until chopped.
- Remove herbs.
- Place garlic, butter, salt and pepper in food processor and process until creamy.
- Add herbs and pulse until combined.
- Wrap the butter in waxed paper, reforming it into a stick, or pack it into a small bowl or butter mold.
- Refrigerate or freeze until needed.
How to Make Herb Butter With an Electric Mixer
- Cream the butter, using an electric mixer.
- Blend in the herbs, garlic, and salt and pepper until the herbs are distributed evenly throughout the butter.
- Wrap the butter in waxed paper, reforming it into a stick, or pack it into a small bowl or butter mold.
- Refrigerate or freeze until needed.
Step 3: Herb Combinations for Herb Butters
Each of the seasoning combinations are for 8 ounces of butter:
- 2 tablespoons chopped chives and 2 cloves finely chopped garlic
- 2 teaspoons each fresh basil, thyme and parsley
- 1 1/2 cups fresh basil leaves (chop after measuring), 1 teaspoon lemon juice, 2 cloves garlic, minced, 1 teaspoon seasoned pepper, 1/2 teaspoon salt
