If you love the warm, mellow flavor of garlic blended with fresh herbs and creamy butter, then you are going to adore this Garlic Confit and Herb Butter Recipe. This recipe transforms humble garlic cloves into tender, flavorful morsels infused with olive oil and herbs, then combines them with butter and fresh garden herbs for a spread that is bursting with depth and richness. Whether you’re a seasoned cook or a kitchen newbie, making this Garlic Confit and Herb Butter Recipe will elevate everything from crusty bread to roasted veggies, making every bite taste like a little celebration.

Ingredients You’ll Need

The image shows a collage of three pictures featuring herb butter and slices of bread. The first picture displays a white mortar with chunks of pale yellow butter, light brown roasted garlic cloves, and green rosemary sprigs on top. The second image shows the herb butter fully mixed to a creamy texture with small green herb bits, inside the same white mortar, with a knife spreading the butter. The third picture includes several slices of crusty, light tan bread with soft, holey interiors, some topped with herb butter spreading and others with roasted garlic cloves. The background has a warm wooden tone under the bread, while the first two pictures have a white marbled surface beneath the mortar. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Each ingredient in this Garlic Confit and Herb Butter Recipe plays an essential role, creating layers of flavor and texture that come together beautifully. The garlic becomes buttery soft and sweet through slow cooking, while rosemary and thyme add an earthy, aromatic touch. Fresh herbs and salt in the butter bring it all home with brightness and balance.

Peeled garlic (2 cups): Using pre-peeled garlic saves time, and the cloves soften into luscious bites when slow cooked.
Extra-virgin olive oil (2 cups): This forms the base for the confit, infusing garlic with rich, fruity oil.
Fresh thyme sprigs (3): Thyme offers a subtle, earthy herbal note to the garlic confit.
Rosemary twigs (3-4): Adds piney, savory depth that pairs beautifully with the mellow garlic.
Coarse salt (1 tsp): Enhances all the natural flavors and seasons the confit perfectly.
Softened butter (1/2 cup): The creamy foundation for the herb butter that anchors the recipe.
Garlic confit cloves (2-3 tbsp, no oil): Concentrated garlic flavor to mix into the butter for extra boost.
Chopped parsley (1 tbsp): Adds fresh, grassy notes and vibrant green color.
Chopped rosemary (1 tbsp): Infuses the herb butter with a fragrant, woodsy aroma.
Salt (1/2 tsp): Balances the rich, creamy butter and herbs perfectly.

How to Make Garlic Confit and Herb Butter Recipe

Step 1: Prepare the Garlic Confit

Start by preheating your oven to 275°F. Gather the peeled garlic cloves, olive oil, coarse salt, fresh rosemary twigs, and thyme sprigs. Place them all in a baking dish and gently mix to make sure every clove is coated in the olive oil. This slow-cooking method softens the garlic so it’s meltingly tender and imbued with herb-infused oil, turning harsh raw garlic into a mellow, sweet delight.

Step 2: Slow Bake the Garlic

Put the baking dish in the oven and let the magic happen for about 1 to 1.5 hours. The garlic should become soft and develop a lovely golden color without browning, so check it from time to time, giving the cloves a gentle stir to promote even cooking. This slow oven time allows the flavors to deepen gradually, resulting in a heavenly texture and aroma.

Step 3: Cool and Store the Garlic Confit

Once the garlic is soft and smells incredible, take the dish out and let it cool to room temperature. Remove the herb sprigs to avoid overpowering later. Transfer the garlic along with the infused olive oil into a clean airtight jar, making sure the cloves stay completely submerged to preserve their freshness. You’ve just created the star ingredient of the recipe!

Step 4: Make the Herb Butter

In a mixing bowl, combine the softened butter, chopped parsley, chopped rosemary, salt, and 2-3 tablespoons of the garlic confit cloves (without oil). Use a spoon or spatula to blend it all together until everything is evenly distributed. This herb butter is rich, fragrant, and ready to add a burst of flavor to an array of dishes.

Step 5: Shape and Chill the Herb Butter

Transfer your butter mixture onto a sheet of parchment paper. You can either roll it into a neat log shape for easy slicing or shape it into a bowl form for scooping. If you go with the log, twist the parchment paper ends to keep it tight. Pop it into the refrigerator for at least an hour so the butter firms up, allowing the herbs and garlic flavors to meld beautifully.

How to Serve Garlic Confit and Herb Butter Recipe

Garnishes

The Garlic Confit and Herb Butter Recipe shines beautifully when topped with a sprinkle of finely chopped fresh herbs like parsley or rosemary. Not only do these garnishes make the presentation pop with color, but they also add a fresh, zesty note that cuts through the richness of the butter, making every bite exciting.

Side Dishes

This herb butter pairs spectacularly with crusty bread, roasted vegetables, grilled steaks, or warm baked potatoes. The creamy garlic flavor touches everything with a comforting, gourmet twist that turns weeknight dinners into special occasions. It also melts deliciously over steamed green beans or corn on the cob for a simple but elegant side.

Creative Ways to Present

Looking to impress your guests? Serve the herb butter sliced into rounds atop grilled meats or dolloped on freshly baked dinner rolls. You can also try melting a spoonful into hot pasta for an instant sauce with incredible depth. Or, use it to finish soups and stews by stirring in a pat just before serving to add richness and nuance.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

After making your Garlic Confit and Herb Butter Recipe, leftover confit can be kept sealed in the refrigerator for several weeks, allowing the flavors to continue developing. Keep the garlic cloves submerged in the oil to maintain freshness and prevent drying out. The herb butter will keep well for up to two weeks when wrapped tightly.

Freezing

If you want to save your garlic confit or herb butter for longer, both freeze beautifully. Place the garlic confit in a freezer-safe container with room for expansion, and the same goes for the herb butter log or shaped portion wrapped in parchment paper and plastic wrap. They should last several months in the freezer without loss of flavor or texture.

Reheating

To use garlic confit after refrigeration, simply bring it to room temperature so the oil loosens up. For frozen portions, thaw in the fridge overnight for best results. The herb butter is best served chilled or at room temperature but can be gently warmed to melt over dishes; avoid high heat to preserve the fresh herb flavors.

FAQs

What is garlic confit?

Garlic confit is garlic slowly cooked in oil at low temperature until it becomes tender, mellow, and golden, losing its sharp raw edge. It’s a versatile ingredient packed with flavor and silky texture.

Can I use fresh herbs other than rosemary and thyme?

Absolutely! While rosemary and thyme are classic and aromatic, feel free to experiment with herbs like sage, oregano, or tarragon to customize the flavor profile of your herb butter.

Is garlic confit safe to store in oil?

Yes, as long as it is stored properly in the refrigerator and the garlic stays submerged in oil, it can safely keep for several weeks. Always use clean utensils to prevent contamination.

Can I make this recipe dairy-free?

You can omit the butter and use the garlic confit oil alone as a flavorful cooking or finishing oil, or substitute butter with dairy-free alternatives like coconut oil or vegan margarine, though the flavor will be slightly different.

How can I use leftover herb butter?

Herb butter is incredibly versatile: spread it on toast, melt it over steamed veggies, mix it into pasta, or use it to finish grilled meats. It’s a quick way to add gourmet flavor to many dishes.

Final Thoughts

If you’ve never made garlic confit or herb butter before, this Garlic Confit and Herb Butter Recipe is an absolute must-try. It turns simple ingredients into a luxurious flavor powerhouse that enriches everything you pair it with. Trust me, once you taste how soft, sweet, and fragrant that garlic becomes, and how the herbs brighten the creamy butter, you’ll find yourself making it again and again. So go ahead — dive in and bring a little buttery garlic magic to your kitchen!