Citric Acid Free Compound Garlic Herb Butter
Compound butter is one of those kitchen staples that makes everything it touches taste more special — and this garlic herb version is no exception. Soft, fragrant, and loaded with fresh parsley, chives, and thyme, it's the kind of finishing touch that turns a simple piece of grilled chicken or a warm slice of bread into something genuinely memorable. For anyone avoiding citric acid, store-bought flavored butters and seasoning blends can be a minefield, since citric acid shows up as a preservative or flavor enhancer in more products than you'd expect. This recipe keeps things clean and straightforward — real butter, fresh herbs, garlic, and a little lemon zest for brightness without any hidden additives. The lemon zest delivers that subtle lift you'd normally get from juice, so the flavor still feels balanced and vibrant. Once you roll it into a log and chill it, you've got a ready-to-slice condiment that keeps in the fridge for a week or the freezer for two months, making it as practical as it is delicious.
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Learn more →Ingredients
8 servings
- ½ cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, softened to room temperature
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tbsp fresh flat-leaf parsley, finely chopped
- 1 tbsp fresh chives, finely chopped
- 1 tsp fresh thyme leaves
- 1 tsp lemon zest
- ½ tsp kosher salt
- ¼ tsp black pepper, freshly ground
- ¼ tsp red pepper flakes (optional)
Instructions
- 1
Place the softened butter in a medium mixing bowl and beat with a fork or hand mixer until smooth and spreadable.
- 2
Add the minced garlic, parsley, chives, thyme, lemon zest, salt, black pepper, and red pepper flakes, if using. Stir and fold until all ingredients are evenly distributed throughout the butter.
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