Irresistible Roasted Garlic Compound Butter: The Ultimate Flavor Enhancer for Every Dish

There is truly nothing more enchanting in a kitchen than the rich, warm, and inviting aroma of roasted garlic. That sweet, mellow fragrance signals a promise of deep flavor and culinary delight. This mouthwatering Roasted Garlic Compound Butter recipe is not just a condiment; it’s a culinary game-changer, the perfect companion to a beautifully seared ribeye steak, a simple grilled chicken breast, or even perfectly steamed vegetables. It’s incredibly rich, bursting with complex flavor, and guaranteed to delight your tastebuds and impress your guests with minimal effort.

How to Roast Garlic Perfectly

In this house, roasted garlic isn’t just an ingredient; it’s a way of life, a fundamental staple we’ve cherished for many years. Back in the 90s, dedicated terracotta garlic bakers were all the rage, and I had my own cherished baker for years until it finally gave out. However, I quickly discovered that you don’t need fancy equipment to achieve beautifully roasted garlic; a simple piece of aluminum foil works just as well and often results in less cleanup. These days, depending on my mood or how many heads I’m roasting, I alternate between foil or a petite Le Creuset ceramic cocotte (as pictured below). Regardless of the method, the outcome is consistently the same: wonderfully sweet, mellow, and intensely flavorful roasted garlic.

So, how simple is it to roast garlic? Extremely. And how unbelievably delicious will your house smell while it’s roasting? Incredibly so! The transformation of raw, pungent garlic into sweet, caramelized cloves is a magical process that every home cook should experience. You only need four basic ingredients to roast garlic at home:

• 1 large head of fresh garlic: Look for firm, plump heads without sprouts or soft spots.
• 1 tablespoon of olive oil: A good quality extra virgin olive oil enhances the flavor.
• 2 small sprigs fresh thyme: (or 1/2 teaspoon of dried thyme) Thyme adds an earthy, aromatic note that complements garlic beautifully.
• A pinch of kosher salt and a pinch of fresh black pepper: Essential for seasoning.

Directions Using a Covered Oven-Safe Dish

This method is excellent for those who prefer a dedicated vessel or want to infuse the garlic with steam for an even softer texture.

1. Preheat your oven to 375º Fahrenheit (190ºC).
2. Using a sharp knife, carefully remove about 1/4 to 1/3 of the top of the garlic head. This is the pointed end, and you want to expose the individual cloves just enough so they can absorb the oil and seasonings.
3. Place the prepared garlic head into a small oven-safe dish with a lid, such as a cocotte or a small ramekin.
4. Drizzle generously with olive oil. While 1 tablespoon per head is a good guideline, ensure all exposed cloves are glistening with oil.
5. Nestle the fresh thyme sprigs on top of the garlic head.
6. Sprinkle with kosher salt and fresh ground black pepper.
7. Cover the dish tightly with its lid or aluminum foil.
8. Roast for about 45 minutes. The garlic is done when it’s deeply caramelized to a golden-brown color, incredibly soft, and easily squeezed from its papery skin. For a darker caramelization, you can remove the lid for the last 10-15 minutes.
9. Allow it to cool slightly before handling.

Directions Using Aluminum Foil

This is my go-to method for its simplicity and minimal cleanup. It’s perfect if you don’t have a suitable oven-safe dish or want to roast multiple heads at once.

1. Preheat your oven to 375º Fahrenheit (190ºC).
2. Using a sharp knife, remove about 1/4 to 1/3 of the top of the garlic head (the pointed part) to expose the cloves.
3. Cut a piece of heavy-duty aluminum foil large enough to completely envelop the garlic head.
4. Place the garlic head onto the center of the foil. Drizzle generously with olive oil, ensuring the exposed cloves are well-coated. As a rule of thumb, about 1 tablespoon per head is sufficient.
5. Nestle the fresh thyme sprigs on top of the garlic head.
6. Sprinkle with kosher salt and fresh ground black pepper.
7. Carefully seal the foil paper around the garlic head, creating a tight packet. This steams the garlic and prevents it from drying out.
8. Place the foil-wrapped garlic on a small-rimmed baking sheet (to catch any potential leaks, though rare).
9. Roast for about 45 minutes. The garlic is ready when it’s caramelized to a golden-brown color and feels soft to the touch.
10. Allow the garlic to cool slightly before handling. Be careful when opening the foil packet, as hot oil and steam will be inside. Once cool enough, gently squeeze the soft roasted garlic cloves from their skins.

Ingredients for Roasted Garlic Compound Butter

My recipe for this roasted garlic compound butter is delightfully simple, building on a base similar to my Charred Scallion Compound Butter. I’ve adapted it to create a savory, fragrant, and incredibly versatile garlic-infused butter that elevates any dish. Compound butter, also known as beurre composé, is simply butter mixed with other ingredients like herbs, spices, or aromatics, and it’s a fantastic way to add concentrated flavor effortlessly.

To make this heavenly Roasted Garlic Compound Butter, you’ll need the following ingredients. While a small food processor can make the process incredibly quick and easy, you can certainly achieve a smooth blend using just a fork and a little elbow grease, as the roasted garlic and softened butter are very yielding.

• 1 stick of unsalted butter (or 1/2 cup), softened: Unsalted butter allows you to control the overall sodium content. Make sure it’s at room temperature for easy blending.
• 1 tablespoon low-sodium soy sauce: This is a secret ingredient that adds a beautiful depth of umami without making the butter taste distinctly like soy sauce. It enhances the savory notes of the garlic.
• 1 whole head of roasted garlic: Make sure the soft, roasted garlic cloves are removed from their papery skins. This is the star of the show!
• Pinch of kosher salt: To taste, adjust as needed.
• Pinch of freshly ground black pepper: For a hint of warmth and spice.

How to Make Roasted Garlic Compound Butter

Creating this flavorful compound butter is incredibly straightforward, especially with a food processor, but it’s totally achievable by hand too!

1. Using a Food Processor: Add all the ingredients – softened unsalted butter, low-sodium soy sauce, roasted garlic cloves (skins removed), kosher salt, and freshly ground black pepper – into the bowl of your food processor. Pulse until thoroughly blended. Make sure to scrape down the sides of the bowl as needed to incorporate any lingering garlic chunks. You can pulse until the butter reaches your desired consistency – chunky with small bits of garlic, or silky smooth. I personally prefer a texture somewhere in the middle, offering both creaminess and delightful little pops of garlic.
2. Adjust Seasoning: Taste the compound butter and adjust the salt and pepper as needed. Remember, you can always add more, but you can’t take it away!
3. Form and Store: Once blended, remove the butter from the food processor bowl. You can either form it into a small log by rolling it tightly in plastic wrap or parchment paper, or simply place it into an airtight container with a tight-fitting lid.
4. Manual Method (No Food Processor): If you don’t have a food processor, don’t worry! Add all the ingredients to a small mixing bowl. Use a fork to vigorously blend the softened butter, low-sodium soy sauce, salt, pepper, and roasted garlic cloves. The tines of the fork are perfect for mashing and breaking down the soft roasted garlic and incorporating it evenly into the butter. Continue working the mixture until it is thoroughly blended and reaches a smooth, spreadable consistency. This is easy to do, as both the roasted garlic and softened butter are very pliable.

Endless Uses for Roasted Garlic Butter

Once you’ve made this incredible Roasted Garlic Compound Butter, you’ll quickly realize its versatility and find countless ways to incorporate it into your cooking. It truly elevates everyday dishes into something extraordinary. Below are some fantastic, delicious, and guaranteed-to-be-loved tips on how to use this amazing butter – it won’t last long, so make extra!

• Gourmet Garlic Bread: This is a classic for a reason! Slice a loaf of French bread, baguette, or sourdough lengthwise. Generously slather the Roasted Garlic Compound Butter onto the cut sides. For an extra touch, sprinkle with freshly grated parmesan cheese and finely chopped fresh parsley or chives. Toast on the grill, under the broiler, or in the oven until the bread is golden and crispy, and the butter is melted and bubbly. Slice and serve immediately.
• Pasta Perfection: Stir a tablespoon or two into hot pasta for an instant flavor bomb. It creates a simple yet incredibly satisfying sauce, especially when paired with a little pasta water. Try it with my Roasted Garlic and Shrimp Spaghetti for an unforgettable meal.
• Elevate Grains: Add a dollop to warm couscous, quinoa, or rice. For example, add a garlicky twist to Lemon Thyme Couscous with Olives or infuse plain quinoa for a flavor boost, as seen in Roasted Vegetable Quinoa with Feta or Warm Quinoa with Roasted Asparagus and Peppers.
• Steakhouse Finish: Place a pat of this compound butter on top of a freshly grilled or pan-seared steak, like a ribeye or filet mignon. The butter will melt into the hot meat, creating a luscious, savory pan sauce that takes your steak to a whole new level. You can even substitute it for my Charred Scallion Compound Butter for a delicious finish to any steak.
• Roasted & Steamed Vegetables: Transform simple vegetables. Toss roasted potatoes, green beans, or asparagus with a spoonful of melted garlic butter, or stir it into plain steamed vegetables for garlicky deliciousness. It’s also fantastic stirred into sautéed mushrooms from my Ultimate Antipasto Platter.
• Flavorful Roasts: Spread a generous amount of this butter onto a whole chicken before roasting for a tender, incredibly flavorful roast chicken with crispy, garlicky skin. It also works wonders on pork roasts or even turkey.
• Eggs & Breakfast: Swirl a small amount into scrambled eggs, spread it on toast, or use it to sauté hash browns for an elevated breakfast experience.
• Seafood Sensation: Melt it and drizzle over grilled shrimp, baked salmon, or steamed crab legs.
• Soups & Stews: Stir a teaspoon into a bowl of hot soup or stew just before serving for an extra layer of richness and garlic flavor.

Storage Tips

This Roasted Garlic Compound Butter is not only delicious but also convenient to prepare in advance. It will last beautifully for one month when stored in an airtight container or tightly wrapped log in the refrigerator. For longer preservation, you can freeze it for up to three months. When freezing, portion it into smaller logs or individual tablespoon-sized discs for easy access.

If you tried this irresistible recipe, please help other readers by commenting below and sharing some stars! We 🫶🏼 appreciate you and love hearing your feedback and how you used it in your kitchen!

All content and photographs ©Claudia’s Table and claudiastable.com

Roasted Garlic Compound Butter

Ana | Claudia’s Table

June 12, 2024

This mouthwatering Roasted Garlic Compound Butter recipe is the ultimate flavor enhancer, perfect for a beautiful ribeye steak, perfectly steamed vegetables, or elevating countless other dishes. It’s rich, intensely flavorful, and will delight your tastebuds and your guests!

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Prep Time 15 minutes mins

Cook Time 45 minutes mins

Total Time 1 hour hr

Course Dinner, Side Dish

Cuisine American, Mediterranean

Servings 8 tablespoons

Calories 170 kcal

Ingredients

  

Roasted Garlic

• 1 large head fresh garlic top removed
• 1 tablespoon of olive oil
• 2 sprigs fresh thyme sprigs
• pinch of kosher salt and pinch of fresh black pepper

Roasted Garlic Compound Butter

• 1 stick unsalted butter or 1/2 cup softened at room temperature
• 1 tablespoon soy sauce low-sodium, for umami depth
• 1 whole head of roasted garlic cloves removed from skins
• Pinch of kosher salt to taste
• Pinch of freshly ground black pepper to taste

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Instructions

 

How to Roast Garlic (Choose your preferred method)

• Preheat oven to 375º Fahrenheit (190ºC).
• Using a sharp knife, remove about 1/4 to 1/3 of the top of the garlic head (pointed part) to expose the cloves. Place the garlic head in an oven-safe dish or on a piece of heavy-duty aluminum foil.
• Drizzle with olive oil (approx. 1 tablespoon per head), ensuring the exposed cloves are covered. Nestle the fresh thyme sprigs on top. Sprinkle with kosher salt and fresh ground black pepper.
• If using a dish, cover. If using foil, seal it into a tight packet. Roast for about 45 minutes, or until the garlic is caramelized to a golden brown and soft to the touch. Allow to cool slightly before handling and removing cloves from skins.

How to Make Roasted Garlic Compound Butter

• Add 1 stick (1/2 cup) of softened, unsalted butter to the bowl of a food processor (or a small mixing bowl if doing by hand).
• Add 1 tablespoon low-sodium soy sauce, all the roasted garlic cloves from the head (skins removed), a pinch of kosher salt, and a pinch of freshly ground black pepper.
• If using a food processor, pulse until thoroughly combined and blended to your desired consistency (smooth or slightly chunky). If using a fork, mash and blend vigorously until all ingredients are well-incorporated and smooth.
• Taste and adjust salt and pepper as needed. Remove from the food processor bowl and either form into a small log, tightly wrapped in plastic wrap or parchment paper, or place it into an airtight container with a lid.

Notes

For best flavor, ensure your butter is at room temperature before blending. This allows for a smoother, more even mixture. Don’t be afraid to double or triple this recipe; roasted garlic compound butter freezes beautifully and is wonderful to have on hand for quick flavor boosts!

Nutrition

Serving: 1tablespoonCalories: 170kcal

Nutritional information is calculated online and should be used as a guide.

Keyword garlic butter, garlic compound butter, how to roast garlic, roasted garlic, roasted garlic butter, flavor enhancer, gourmet butter

All content and photographs ©Claudia’s Table and claudiastable.com

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