Garlic Butter — Nutrients, Health Benefits, and Shopping Tips

Garlic butter should be creamy and spreadable, with visible flecks of garlic and herbs if included. It should smell fresh and garlicky, not overpowering. Taste a small amount to ensure the garlic flavor is balanced and not too sharp.

Avoid garlic butter that appears separated or has an off color. Well-made garlic butter should enhance dishes with its smooth texture and rich flavor, perfect for bread, vegetables, or meats.

Garlic butter should be kept in the refrigerator. Store it in an airtight container to maintain its flavor and prevent contamination. Properly stored, garlic butter can last up to two weeks.

Leaving garlic butter out at room temperature for extended periods can lead to spoilage. It's important to avoid exposing it to air and light. Keeping the container tightly sealed preserves its freshness and taste.

Garlic butter can last for 1-2 weeks in the refrigerator. For longer storage, garlic butter can be frozen for up to 6 months. Ensure it is tightly wrapped to prevent freezer burn.

Leftover garlic butter can be used to add rich, savory flavor to a variety of dishes. Spread it on bread or rolls for an easy garlic bread, or melt it over vegetables like broccoli, green beans, or carrots. Garlic butter is also great for sautéing meats or seafood, where it adds a delicious, garlicky flavor.

Use garlic butter to flavor a pasta dish by tossing it with cooked noodles and Parmesan cheese, or mix it into mashed potatoes for extra richness. If you have a lot of garlic butter, consider using it as a base for a garlic sauce to serve with chicken, shrimp, or steak. Garlic butter can also be used as a topping for baked potatoes or added to a stuffing mixture for poultry or pork. For a quick snack, spread garlic butter on crackers or toast, or use it to fry eggs for a flavorful breakfast.