Garlic Butter for Steak

By
John Mitzewich
John Mitzewich
John Mitzewich is a food writer, recipe video producer, and culinary school instructor with more than 20 years of experience in the food industry.
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Updated on 05/23/24
Prep: 10 mins
Cook: 0 mins
Refrigeration: 60 mins
Total: 70 mins
Servings: 8 servings

A juicy steak with just salt and pepper is delicious and satisfying on its own, but when topped with a dollop of garlic butter, it becomes a rich and unctuous affair, which is why many steakhouses offer a savory pat of butter atop their sizzling cuts of meat. Also known as compound butter, flavored butter is a great enhancer of a good quality cut; it doesn't mask the true nature of the steak, it just makes it better. For our recipe, the garlic-infused butter will slowly melt over your steak, the natural flavors will be enriched, and you'll be in for a beautiful and filling meal.

The recipe for compound butter is straightforward: the base is just good quality butter, to which you can add your favorite flavor profiles. No need for pricey ingredients, but do go for a high-fat butter, and always choose unsalted when you're making compound butter. Just make sure the butter is soft before mixing with the other ingredients.

This flavored butter is perfect for steak, but also chops, chicken, and even seafood recipes. Garlic butter can be made well in advance and will keep in the fridge or freezer.

Steak topped with thick slices of garlic butter

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What You'll Need to Make This Garlic Butter Recipe
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Ingredients

  • 1/2 cup (8 tablespoons) unsalted butter

  • 3 cloves garlic, crushed and finely minced

  • 1/2 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce

  • 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground white pepper, or black pepper

  • 1/4 teaspoon salt, or to taste

  • 1 tablespoon finely chopped fresh parsley

Steps to Make It

  1. Gather the ingredients. 

    Ingredients for steakhouse garlic butter recipe gathered

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  2. Place 1/2 cup (8 tablespoons unsalted softened butter in a bowl and add 3 cloves garlic (finely minced), 1/2 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce,1/4 teaspoon freshly ground white or black pepper, 1/4 teaspoon salt, and 1 tablespoon finely chopped parsley. Mix with a fork to combine thoroughly.

    Soft butter, garlic, parsley, and seasonings mashed with a fork in a bowl

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  3. Use a spatula to scrape the flavored butter onto a piece of plastic wrap. Using the wrap, shape the butter into a log. Pull the sides of the plastic wrap over to seal, twisting the ends to close tightly, or folding it like a small parcel.

    Butter lump placed on cling wrap

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  4. Roll the wrapped butter back and forth to create an evenly shaped log. Place in the refrigerator or freezer to harden.

    Evenly shaped butter log tightly wrapped in cling wrap

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  5. When ready to use, unwrap and slice the butter into 1/4-inch rounds. Place on top of hot, sizzling steaks just before serving. Serve and enjoy.

    Thick slices of garlic butter on a grilled steak

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Feeling Adventurous? Try This:

Any flavorful compound butter needs to have some acid, aromatics, and herbs. Many cooks also add stronger flavors using powdered mushrooms, Parmesan cheese, or truffles, but the addition of such powerful flavors depends on personal taste. Here are a few variations on our recipe:

  • Make it zingy - Add lemon zest for a citrus zing, and swap the parsley for chives.
  • No Worcestershire sauce, no problem - Skip the Worcestershire sauce, and use lemon juice instead if using this butter on fish.
  • Make it herby - Add cilantro, rosemary, or oregano in place of the parsley. Cilantro gives a wonderful bright touch and is great served on pork tenderloin. The rosemary and oregano lend a Mediterranean flavor—perfect for grilled chicken, fish, or shellfish.
  • Make it spicy - Add red chili flakes. Start with 1/8 of a teaspoon and taste the butter on a piece of bread. Add more to taste if needed.
Nutrition Facts (per serving)
104 Calories
12g Fat
1g Carbs
0g Protein
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Nutrition Facts
Servings: 8
Amount per serving
Calories 104
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 12g 15%
Saturated Fat 7g 36%
Cholesterol 31mg 10%
Sodium 78mg 3%
Total Carbohydrate 1g 0%
Dietary Fiber 0g 0%
Total Sugars 0g
Protein 0g
Vitamin C 1mg 5%
Calcium 7mg 1%
Iron 0mg 0%
Potassium 13mg 0%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
(Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate.)