Fresh Basil Butter with Lemon and Garlic Recipe
Preserve the flavors of summer with this fresh basil butter recipe! Compound butters are not only delicious, but are a great (and freezer friendly!) way to add more flavor to any dish all year long.
Summer is in full swing, and its time to take advantage of that bountiful herb garden. This being said, is there anything more quintessentially summer than fresh basil? Believe me, a ton of basil growing in the garden is always a good thing.
Basil is a favorite herb for many folks, and is versatile for use in many recipes. Other than using it for the standard basil pesto, I am always looking for other creative ways to preserve fresh basil throughout the summer months.
The easiest way to do this? Homemade basil butter (or compound butter if you want to sound fancy).
Yes, you heard that right.
To make this fancy and delicious compound butter, the process is simple and straightforward. Basically, you will throw some softened butter in a bowl and season it to your heart’s content. Today we’re adding some finely diced basil, garlic, and lemon, but the options really are endless as far as compound butters go. Mix it up and serve it with a slice of warm bread (definitely the best way to eat it, but that’s just my humble opinion…).
Now go grab a couple sticks of butter and some fresh basil and let’s do this thing!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
Ingredients You’ll Need
How to Make Basil Butter
This recipe comes together quickly with basically no prep time!
- In a small bowl or bowl of a food processor, place butter (making sure its softened to room temperature), 1/2 tsp garlic powder, 1 tsp fresh lemon zest, and 1/3 cup finely chopped fresh basil leaves. *Note: If using a food processor, there is no need to chop the basil beforehand.
- Mix all ingredients together until just combined.
- Add to a small bowl and top with extra chopped fresh basil, if desired. Serve immediately with a slice of warm bread
- To store, wrap the butter tightly in plastic wrap and stick in the fridge for later use.
Need Ideas for How to Use Basil Butter?
- Serve with warm sourdough bread
- Add to roast chicken or top a steak!
- Top veggies, add to mashed potatoes or pasta
- Add it in for a fun addition to a charcuterie board!
Easy Tips for Success
- Softened butter is key in this recipe! Ideally, you will let the butter sit out for a couple of hours to soften.
- I used salted butter in this recipe and found that the butter didn’t need any extra salt. If using unsalted butter, it would be a good idea to sprinkle in a little salt.
- If you don’t have garlic powder, finely minced garlic cloves will also work! They add a powerful kick. I love to add in roasted garlic to this recipe and just call it basil garlic butter. Flavorful and delicious.
- Lemon zest can also be substituted if needed. I think zest provides the best flavor, but substituting lemon juice works just fine.
- Experiment with other fresh herbs and flavors! I have used fresh parsley, rosemary, and chives in compound butter recipes with delicious results. Other delicious add in options would be parmesan cheese, black pepper, or even red pepper flakes for a little heat.
- This recipe is extremely versatile. It can be used as a great way to add extra flavor to many dishes, from hot pasta to fresh corn!
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Can You Freeze Herb Butter?
Absolutely!
To do this, place the herb butter mixture in the center of a piece of parchment paper, plastic wrap, or aluminum foil. Shape into a log shape and wrap tightly. Store in the freezer in an airtight container or freezer bags to enjoy for up to 6 months.
More Delicious Recipes to Try
Check out these reader favorites, straight from my log cabin kitchen!
Pin it For Later!
You can find the easy printable for this delicious compound butter recipe below.
Homemade Basil Butter
Ingredients
- 2 sticks butter, softened
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp lemon zest
- 1/3 cup finely chopped fresh basil leaves
Instructions
- In a small bowl or bowl of a food processor, place butter (making sure its softened to room temperature), 1/2 tsp garlic powder, 1 tsp fresh lemon zest, and 1/3 cup finely chopped fresh basil leaves. *Note: If using a food processor, there is no need to chop the basil beforehand.
- Mix all ingredients together until just combined.
- Add to a small bowl and top with extra chopped fresh basil, if desired. Serve immediately with a slice of warm bread
- To store, wrap the butter tightly in plastic wrap and stick in the fridge for later use.
Notes
If you enjoyed this recipe for homemade herb butter, I would love it if you came back and left a rating and a comment! I would love to know how it turned out for you.
What do you love to grow in your herb garden? Leave me a comment and let me know!
