Ingredients
To make Gordon Ramsay’s garlic butter, you will need:
- 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
- 1 teaspoon lemon juice
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/8 teaspoon black pepper
Steps
1. Soften the butter
Allow the butter to soften at room temperature for 30 minutes. You can also soften it quickly by microwaving it for 10-20 seconds. Make sure the butter maintains its form and does not melt or become oily. Softened butter makes for easy blending of the ingredients.
2. Mince the garlic
Peel and mince 4 cloves of garlic until they are very finely chopped. Mincing the garlic allows it to mix thoroughly with the butter and disperse the garlic flavor evenly. You can either mince it by hand with a sharp knife or use a garlic press.
3. Chop the parsley
Chop 2 tablespoons of fresh parsley leaves finely. Flat leaf or Italian parsley works best, as it has more flavor. Finely chopping allows the parsley to integrate smoothly into the butter.
4. Combine all the ingredients
Add the softened butter, minced garlic, chopped parsley, lemon juice, salt, and pepper to a mixing bowl. Use a spoon or whisk to mix all the ingredients together well, until thoroughly combined.
5. Refrigerate for at least 1 hour
Transfer the mixed garlic butter to a sheet of parchment or wax paper. Form it into a log shape. Wrap the paper around the butter to enclose it fully and twist the ends to seal. Refrigerate for at least 1 hour to allow the flavors to develop.
6. Use or store
After chilling, the butter is ready to use. Slice off discs of the chilled butter as needed to top steaks, shrimp, bread, or vegetables. For longer storage, wrap the log fully in plastic wrap and store in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks. You can also freeze the butter for up to 3 months.
Cooking Tips
- Make sure the butter is at room temperature before mixing in the garlic to allow thorough blending.
- Chop the garlic finely to distribute the flavor. You can also use a garlic press.
- Parsley adds freshness, but cilantro, chives, or basil also work well.
- Citrus like lemon or lime brighten up the butter.
- Chill the butter before use for easy slicing and to allow the flavors to mingle.
- Add other herbs like rosemary, thyme, or oregano for more complexity.
- Mince anchovies or shallots for extra savory flavor.
- For spicy garlic butter, add crushed red pepper flakes.
Why Make Your Own Garlic Butter?
Here are some of the benefits of making your own garlic butter instead of buying store-bought:
- You control the quality of ingredients. No preservatives or fillers.
- You can customize the flavor exactly as you like it.
- Much cheaper than store-bought options.
- So easy to make with just 5 minutes active prep time.
- Makes a great gift for family and friends.
- Versatile for use in many recipes – meats, seafood, vegetables, bread.
- Impress your dinner guests with homemade compound butter.
Serving Ideas
Gordon Ramsay’s garlic butter really shines when served on top of hot food, so that the butter can melt and mingle with the dish. Here are some great serving ideas:
- Steak: Top grilled steaks, especially beef, just before serving so the butter melts over the meat.
- Bread: Spread over slices of French bread or crostini and broil for cheesy garlic bread.
- Vegetables: Toss with roasted potatoes, carrots, broccoli, or cauliflower.
- Fish: Dot on salmon, halibut, shrimp, scallops or other seafood before baking or grilling.
- Pasta: Toss with hot cooked pasta for easy garlic butter noodles.
- Popcorn: Melt over freshly popped popcorn for garlicky movie night snack.
Storage and Shelf Life
Stored properly in the refrigerator, Gordon Ramsay’s garlic butter will keep for:
- Refrigerator: 2 weeks when stored in an airtight container
- Freezer: 4-6 months in the freezer
Make sure to wrap the butter log fully in plastic wrap or parchment paper before storing. This prevents it absorbing fridge odors and from freezer burn.
Garlic butter can also be frozen in ice cube trays in tablespoon-sized portions. Pop out the cubes and store in a ziplock freezer bag. This allows easy grab-and-go garlic butter for instant flavor.
Nutrition Information
Here is the nutrition information for a 2 tablespoon serving of Gordon Ramsay’s garlic butter:
| Calories | Total Fat | Carbs | Protein |
|---|---|---|---|
| 200 | 22g | 0.4g | 0.1g |
| Vitamin A | Calcium | Iron | Potassium |
| 12% DV | 0.5% DV | 2% DV | 0.5% DV |
As a butter and oil-based product, the majority of calories come from fat. However, the small amounts of garlic, parsley, and lemon provide vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. Garlic butter adds a nutrition boost compared to plain butter.
Cost Breakdown
Making your own garlic butter is very economical. Here is a cost comparison of homemade vs store-bought for 1 cup garlic butter:
| Ingredient | Cost |
|---|---|
| 1 cup butter | $0.64 |
| Garlic (4 cloves) | $0.16 |
| Parsley | $0.10 |
| Lemon | $0.05 |
| Total | $0.95 |
Store-bought: $3-$4 per cup
As you can see, making your own is over 3 times cheaper than buying ready-made! Plus it allows customizing the ingredients to your taste.
Conclusion
Making Gordon Ramsay’s famous garlic butter at home is easy, affordable, and delicious! With just 5 ingredients and 5 minutes active prep time, you can make compound butter that outshines store-bought alternatives. Customize the herbs, citrus, and seasonings to your taste. Use this versatile garlic butter to instantly elevate steaks, bread, vegetables, pasta, and more. Impress dinner guests with homemade garlic butter and save money by making it yourself. Give it a try tonight!