Herb butter (German Garlic Herb Butter)

Let’s learn how to make Herb butter. My recipe for Garlic Herb Butter only uses 6 ingredients and will be a hit at your next BBQ.

This herb and butter mix usually saves us lots of grief at family BBQs. While the air is heavy with the aroma of grilled meats, and our bellies grumble with anticipation of the feast ahead, we keep our children at bay by letting them munch on fresh bread with this aromatic, spiced spread.

This recipe was developed through countless trials and errors. I am now finally satisfied with the result, having decided that parsley, chives, and dill are the best herb combination to satisfy our palate. The garlic adds a little sharpness to the mild butter (not too much, just right), and the lemon zest gives it a fresh, citrusy aftertaste.

Germany’s Traditional Herb Butter

Herb butter is a simple compound butter made with soft butter, and various herbs. Often garlic and onions etc are used to perfect the flavors. In Germany, it is also known as “Würzbutter” – translates as seasoning butter” as it is used to season steaks and fish recipes.

Ingredients you’ll need

For the detailed instructions and exact measurements, please jump to the printable recipe card

Use high-quality European-style butter with 82% fat content – never margarine or spreadable butter. European butter like Kerrygold or Plugrá provides the rich texture and cultured flavor authentic to German kitchens.

For herbs, I use fresh parsley, dill, and chives – the traditional German combination. Frozen herbs work well since you only need small amounts. Add one garlic clove for sharpness, lemon zest for brightness, and salt to enhance all the flavors.

How to make herb butter – Only 2 simple steps

Try these alternative herb combinations

There’s no single “correct” way to make herb butter – the ingredients are completely up to your personal taste. Here are some popular German variations to inspire your own creations:

• Traditional 7-Herb German Blend (7 herbs): The classic mixture of parsley, chives, dill, chervil, tarragon, cress, and thyme – each herb adding its own distinctive flavor to create the ultimate German herb butter.
• Mediterranean-Style German Herb Butter: Rosemary, thyme, basil, parsley, and chives create a more southern European twist on the traditional recipe.
• Frankfurt Green Sauce Herb Mix: Use leftover herbs from making Frankfurt’s famous green sauce – this traditional blend of 7 distinct herbs makes an authentic and flavorful herb butter. Wild
• German Countryside Herbs: For a truly authentic experience, forage wild herbs like my son learned to do. Try yarrow (yarrow), ground ivy (ground ivy), nettle (stinging nettle), and sorrel (sorrel) for an earthy, traditional flavor that connects you to Germany’s foraging heritage.

Delicious Ways to Use Your German-Style Compound Butter

There are countless ways to enjoy this flavorful herb spread! Here are some authentic German serving suggestions:

• Oktoberfest Pretzel Dip: Serve on a platter surrounded by fresh bread slices and warm pretzels. It’s perfect alongside other traditional Bavarian dips like Obatzda and Spundekäs for an authentic beer garden experience.
• Homemade German Garlic Bread: Spread the compound butter on bread slices and grill them on the BBQ, or use a whole baguette by slicing it into rounds without cutting all the way through. Tuck slices of herb butter into each cut, then bake until the butter melts and the bread crisps up perfectly.
• Steak seasoning: Let a pat of this German-style compound butter slowly melt over your freshly grilled beef or pork steak for restaurant-quality flavor.
• Baked Fish Enhancement: Place fish fillets on a baking tray, top with the herb butter, and bake. The butter will melt and infuse the fish with incredible flavor.
• Baked Potato (German Baked Potato): Let the compound butter melt into hot, fluffy baked potatoes for an extra fragrant and delicious side dishes.

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