Ina Garten’s 5-Star Herb Butter Recipe: Simple Kitchen Magic

Ina Garten’s herb butter transforms ordinary ingredients into a culinary magic wand that elevates meals from mundane to magnificent.

Soft, creamy, and packed with vibrant green herbs, this condiment brings restaurant-quality pizzazz to home cooking.

Each carefully selected ingredient contributes its unique personality, creating a harmonious blend of fresh, zesty flavors.

Sophisticated yet simple, this recipe requires minimal effort but delivers maximum gustatory impact.

Smooth and spreadable, the butter melts beautifully, releasing an aromatic symphony that tantalizes taste buds and transforms ordinary dishes into something extraordinary.

Rich, herbaceous, and impossibly versatile, you can dollop, spread, or melt this magical concoction anywhere you desire incredible flavor: bon appétit!

Why Ina’s Herb Butter Deserves a Spot on Every Table

• Burst with Fresh Herb Flavor: This herb butter packs a punch of vibrant, garden-fresh tastes that transform ordinary dishes into extraordinary culinary experiences.
• Super Quick and Simple Preparation: Whip up this versatile condiment in just minutes with basic kitchen tools, making it perfect for busy home cooks looking to elevate their meals effortlessly.
• Customize Your Culinary Canvas: The flexible recipe allows you to adjust herbs and seasonings, creating a personalized butter that can complement everything from grilled meats to fresh bread with a delightful, zesty kick.
• Instant Gourmet Upgrade: By combining fresh herbs, garlic, and lemon, this butter instantly adds restaurant-quality sophistication to home-cooked meals without requiring advanced cooking skills.

Just a Few Ingredients to Buttery Greatness

• Butter: Creamy and rich foundation for the herb mixture, best when at room temperature for easy mixing.
• Garlic: Adds a sharp, aromatic flavor to enhance the butter's overall taste.

• Scallions, Dill, Parsley: Vibrant green herbs that provide a fresh, bright, and complex flavor profile to the butter.

• Lemon Juice: Adds a zesty, tangy note to cut through the richness of the butter.
• Salt, Black Pepper: Essential seasonings that balance and intensify the herb butter's flavors, choosing freshly ground pepper for best results.

How to Whip Up the Herby Magic

Step 1: Gather Fresh Ingredients

Collect soft butter, minced garlic, chopped scallions, finely chopped dill, fresh parsley, tangy lemon juice, kosher salt, and cracked black pepper.

Step 2: Combine Herb Mixture

Place all ingredients in a large mixing bowl. Use an electric mixer with a paddle attachment to blend everything smoothly. Mix until ingredients are just combined – be careful not to overwork the mixture, which could make the butter tough and lose its delicate texture.

Step 3: Shape and Serve

Transfer the herbed butter onto a piece of plastic wrap. Gently roll into a cylinder shape, twisting the ends to create a log. Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to allow flavors to meld together. When ready, slice into rounds and serve alongside warm bread, grilled meats, or roasted vegetables.

Tips for Bold, Fragrant Butter You’ll Crave

• Maximize Herb Freshness: Select vibrant, crisp herbs from local farmers markets or your garden for the most intense flavor profile.
• Butter Temperature Matters: Let butter soften at room temperature for 30-45 minutes to ensure smooth, easy mixing with herbs.
• Perfect Herb Chopping Technique: Use a sharp knife and chop herbs finely to distribute flavors evenly throughout the butter.
• Storage Savvy: Wrap herb butter tightly in plastic wrap or parchment paper, storing in the refrigerator for up to one week or freezing for three months.
• Versatile Serving Suggestions: Spread on warm bread, melt over grilled meats, or use as a flavor-packed finishing touch for roasted vegetables.

Storing Ina’s Herb Butter Without Losing Flavor

• Vacuum Seal Method: Protect your herb butter's freshness by vacuum sealing it in specialized bags, removing all air to prevent oxidation and freezer burn. Wrap the butter log tightly in plastic wrap before placing inside vacuum-sealed packaging for maximum preservation.
• Portioned Freezing Method: Slice herb butter into individual serving portions using a sharp knife, then wrap each piece separately in wax paper or plastic wrap. Place wrapped portions inside a freezer-safe container or zip-top bag, allowing quick access and preventing flavor contamination.
• Glass Jar Storage Method: Transfer cooled herb butter into clean, wide-mouth glass jars with tight-sealing lids, ensuring minimal air exposure. Press butter down firmly to eliminate air pockets, creating a smooth surface that helps maintain quality and prevents potential bacterial growth.

Try These Twists on the Classic Compound

• Spicy Herb Kick: Add red pepper flakes or diced jalapeños for a zesty, warming herb butter that brings extra heat to your dishes.
• Mediterranean Blend: Swap dill for oregano and add crumbled feta cheese, creating a Greek-inspired herb butter perfect for grilled meats and bread.
• Roasted Garlic Upgrade: Roast the garlic beforehand to develop a deeper, mellower flavor profile that transforms the classic herb butter into a rich, caramelized spread.
• Smoky Herb Fusion: Mix in smoked paprika and chopped fresh thyme for a robust, woodsy variation that complements grilled vegetables and steaks.

Herb Butter Wrap-Up That Leaves You Hungry

Mediterranean herb butter whispers culinary sophistication with Ina Garten’s signature touch.

Simple ingredients dance together, creating rich sensory experiences beyond typical spreads.

Fresh herbs elevate classic butter into a gourmet condiment perfect for bread, grilled meats, or roasted vegetables.

Kitchen maestros can craft this recipe in mere minutes, transforming ordinary meals into extraordinary moments.

Garlic and lemon notes provide bright complexity that tingles taste buds with Mediterranean flair.

Her method promises foolproof deliciousness that will spark conversation, inspire cooking adventures, and make kitchen time feel like delightful exploration – so grab those ingredients, share this recipe with friends, double-tap if it sparked joy, and let cooking magic begin!

Ina Garten Herb Butter Recipe

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5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.8 from 19 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes
• Yield: 16 1x

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Description

Ina Garten’s herb butter elevates simple ingredients into a luxurious culinary experience, blending fresh herbs with creamy richness. Mediterranean flavors dance across the palate, inviting you to savor each silky spread on warm bread or grilled meats.

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Ingredients

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Main Ingredients:

• ½ pound (227 grams) unsalted butter, at room temperature

Fresh Herbs and Aromatics:

• 1 tablespoon (15 milliliters) minced scallions (white and green parts)
• 1 tablespoon (15 milliliters) minced fresh dill
• 1 tablespoon (15 milliliters) minced fresh flat-leaf parsley
• ¼ teaspoon (1.25 milliliters) minced garlic

Seasoning:

• 1 teaspoon (5 milliliters) freshly squeezed lemon juice
• 1 teaspoon (5 grams) kosher salt
• ¼ teaspoon (1.25 milliliters) freshly ground black pepper

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Instructions

1. In a spacious mixing bowl, combine softened butter (226 grams) with finely minced garlic, chopped scallions, dill, parsley, freshly squeezed lemon juice, kosher salt, and ground black pepper.
2. Using an electric mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, blend the ingredients on low speed until just incorporated, ensuring the herbs and seasonings are evenly distributed throughout the butter mixture without overworking the texture.
3. Transfer the herbed butter onto a sheet of parchment paper or plastic wrap, shaping it into a cylindrical log approximately 5 centimeters (2 inches) in diameter.
4. Carefully roll the butter log, twisting the ends of the wrap to create a tight, uniform shape, and refrigerate for at least 1 hour to allow the flavors to meld and the butter to firm up.
5. Before serving, remove the butter from the refrigerator and slice into rounds approximately 1 centimeter (1/2 inch) thick, allowing the butter to soften slightly at room temperature for easier spreading.

Notes

• Elevate your butter game by experimenting with fresh herbs that complement your dish’s flavor profile.
• Craft creative compound butter blends using ingredients like roasted garlic, chopped nuts, or zesty citrus zest.
• Store leftover herb butter in ice cube trays for convenient, perfectly portioned future cooking adventures.
• Transform ordinary butter into a gourmet condiment by mixing in unexpected ingredients like smoked paprika or caramelized shallots.
• Keep your homemade herb butter fresh by wrapping tightly in plastic wrap and storing in the refrigerator for up to two weeks.

• Prep Time: 5 minutes
• Cook Time: 1 hour
• Category: Snacks, Appetizer
• Method: Blending
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 16
• Calories: 190
• Sugar: 0 g
• Sodium: 220 mg
• Fat: 21 g
• Saturated Fat: 13 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 1 g
• Fiber: 0 g
• Protein: 0 g
• Cholesterol: 60 mg