Garlic Herb Steak Butter is the secret to that rich, savory flavor you get at your favorite steakhouse. With just a few everyday ingredients, you can whip up a restaurant-quality finishing butter that melts perfectly over hot steak, adding bold, herby, garlicky goodness in every bite.
Making a simple butter can elevate meals that you make for your family and friends. I even give them as gifts. Try my Copycat Texas Roadhouse Butter and my easy Creamy Homemade Butter.
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Why this Garlic Herb Steak Butter Recipe is a Keeper
Here’s what makes this recipe for garlic herb butter a flavor powerhouse:
- Flavor Powerhouse: The combination of garlic, fresh herbs, Parmesan, and a touch of bacon creates a deeply savory and aromatic butter that transforms everything from a humble piece of toast to a perfectly cooked steak.
- Ultimate Prep-Ahead: This is a perfect “mise en place” item. You can make it in a large batch and have it ready to go in the fridge or freezer, making weeknight dinners or last-minute meals feel gourmet.
- Versatility: As you’ll see in the “Use Leftovers” section, this butter can be used on almost anything, from proteins to vegetables to bread. It’s a true kitchen multi-tool.
- Customizable Butter: The ingredients are a great starting point, but the recipe is infinitely adaptable to your personal taste or whatever fresh herbs you have on hand.
Can I Use Dried Seasoning Instead of Fresh for the Butter for Steak?
If you decide to use dried herbs, use 1/3 of the amount called for and mix gently.
Pro Tip for Garlic Butter Steak Recipe
For even more flavor, roast the garlic before adding to the butter. The roasted garlic is perfect for this homemade garlic herb butter.
Ingredient Notes for Homemade Herb and Garlic Butter
Compound butter is the secret weapon for steak night. It is rich, aromatic, and ridiculously easy to customize. It melts into the meat like a sauce, adding flavor and luxury in one swoop.
Get the full printable recipe with specific measurements and directions in the recipe card below.
- Butter: Use unsalted butter or salted butter. If salted, reduce extra salt added later.
- Garlic: Fresh garlic cloves are best for extra flavor when making compound steak butter.
- Parmesan Cheese: Use finely grated (not shredded) for even blending.
- Bacon Bits: Use real bacon bits, not imitation. Cook your own and chop finely.
Variations for Garlic Herb Butter Recipe for Steak
Whether you’re working with what’s in your pantry or tailoring flavors to suit your crowd, this recipe is flexible enough to make your own. From swapping spices to adjusting sweetness, here’s how to customize it without losing that cozy, fall-inspired charm. Make this butter on steak at home your own.
- Herbs: Experiment with different combinations in the butter mixture. Try rosemary and fresh thyme for a woody, earthy flavor; dill and chives for fish; or a classic Italian blend of oregano, basil, and parsley.
- Spice: Add a pinch of red pepper flakes for a little heat.
- Citrus: Grate in some lemon zest or orange zest for a bright, fresh note. This is fantastic on fish or chicken.
- Shallots: Minced shallots can add a subtle onion flavor.
- Sun-dried Tomatoes: Finely chop a few sun-dried tomatoes for a rich, tangy flavor.
- Bacon-Free: Simply omit the bacon bits. The butter will still be incredibly flavorful. You could substitute with a little bit of smoked paprika for a smoky flavor.
How to Make Garlic Herb Compound Butter
This garlic herb butter recipe comes together in 2 extremely quick and easy steps. This garlic butter recipe is so good, it quickly became one of my favorites.
Get the full printable recipe with specific measurements and directions in the recipe card below.
- Make Garlic Herb Butter: In a medium bowl, combine the softened butter, bacon bits, minced garlic and grated parmesan cheese. Mix well with an electric mixer.
- Season the Butter: Season with minced parsley, chives, salt and pepper. Mix until combined. Roll butter into a log shape. Refrigerate until ready to use.
Prep Ahead Suggestions for Herb Butter for Steak
When I prepare ingredients for this garlic compound butter recipe ahead of time, it can help save me time and kitchen space when it comes to making everything for dinner. It is simple to make in advance.
- Soften Butter in Advance: Take it out 30–45 minutes before mixing. It’s easier to mix room temperature butter.
- Make and Freeze: Prep a double batch, freeze half in a parchment roll for later use.
- Chop Herbs Early: Keep herbs and garlic in an airtight container until ready to mix.
Store, Freeze and Use Garlic Herb Butter for Steak
- Store: Store the compound butter in an airtight container or a tightly wrapped log in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks.
- Freeze: This butter freezes beautifully. Roll it into a log, wrap it tightly in parchment paper, then plastic wrap, and place it in a freezer-safe bag. It will last for up to 3-4 months. When you need it, simply slice off a medallion from the frozen log.
- Use Leftovers Steak Butter: Place a pat of butter on top of juicy steak, grilled chicken breast, or pan-seared fish as a butter sauce.
- For Vegetables: Toss with roasted vegetables (like potatoes or asparagus) or melt over steamed corn on the cob.
- On Bread: Spread it on warm crusty bread, toast, or make an incredible grilled cheese.
- Pasta Sauce: I’ve used this butter with cooked pasta for a quick, flavorful sauce.
- In Soups: Stir a pat of butter into a bowl of hot soup just before serving for added richness and flavor.
Common Questions About Compound Butter for Steak
If your butter is too hard to mix, you need to let it soften some more. A quick way to get it to soften is to place the stick of butter under a hot bowl that’s flipped upside down.
Sure! After it’s done mixing, you may need to help shape it. Place the butter in a piece of plastic wrap and roll it to form butter into a log.
Tips for Making Homemade Garlic Butter for Steak
- Don’t Overmix the Herbs: Follow the recipe’s advice. Once the herbs are added, mix just enough to combine. Over-beating will release the chlorophyll, giving the butter a slightly bitter, “grassy” taste and a less vibrant green color.
- Use Good Butter: Since butter is the star of the show, use a high-quality, unsalted butter. This gives you control over the salt content and ensures the best flavor.
- Adjust to Your Taste: The amounts for garlic, herbs, and Parmesan are just a starting point. Feel free to add more or less to to this simple recipe to suit your palate.
- For Easy Slicing: When you’re ready to use the garlic butter for garlic bread, if it’s in a log, let it sit on the counter for a few minutes to soften slightly. This makes slicing perfect, even medallions a breeze.
- Serve With: Serve with Grilled Steak Kabobs, Homemade Garlic Bread or my Air Fryer Ribeye Steak Recipe and Mushrooms.
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Garlic Herb Compound Steak Butter
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Ingredients
- ½ cup Butter, softened at room temperature
- 1 Tablespoon Bacon bits
- 2 cloves Garlic, minced
- 1 Tablespoon Parmesan cheese, grated
- 2 Tablespoons Fresh Parsley, minced
- 1 Tablespoon Fresh Chives, minced
- ¼ teaspoon Salt
- ¼ teaspoon Pepper
Instructions
- Place the butter in a medium-sized mixing bowl.
- Add in the bacon bits, garlic and grated Parmesan and beat with an electric mixer for 1-2 minutes, until completely combined.
- Season to taste with parsley, chives, salt and pepper. Beat for 30 seconds until just combined.
- Place butter in a small mason jar or wrap with parchment paper and refrigerate until ready to use.
Christina’s Notes
- Don’t Overmix Herbs: Add fresh herbs at the end and blend gently.
- Freeze for Later: Shape into logs, wrap tightly, and freeze for up to 3 months.
- Use on Everything: Try it on corn, toast, eggs, or mashed potatoes too.
- Scale the recipe: Simply adjust the serving size in the recipe card and the ingredients will update automatically.
- Make your own All Purpose Seasoning: When a recipe calls for All Purpose Seasoning, you can use my homemade All Purpose Seasoning recipe or substitute salt and pepper to taste.
- Meat doneness: I always use a meat thermometer to test for doneness when cooking meat.
- Use unsalted butter: I use unsalted butter so I can control the salt level in the recipe.
- Preheat the oven: Unless otherwise noted, always preheat your oven before baking.
For more helpful information about this recipe, such as variations, substitutions and other pro-tips, check out the blog post.