15 Garlic Butter Recipes That Go With Everything
Garlic butter brings bold flavor to just about anything it touches, from seared meats and seafood to vegetables and sauces. These recipes show off how versatile it can be, whether spooned over a steak, mixed into pasta, or tossed with green beans. Some lean into rich, savory depth, while others add lemon or herbs for brightness. A few are as simple as melting butter with garlic, while others use it to build full meals.
Escargot-Style Garlic Butter Steak Bites
Would you like to save this?
We'll email this post to you, so you can come back to it later!
Inspired by classic escargot prep, these steak bites are broiled or baked with a rich garlic butter sauce. The butter seeps into each bite, making them incredibly juicy. They’re ideal as an appetizer or small plate. Serve with bread to soak up what’s left in the dish.
Get the Recipe: Escargot-Style Garlic Butter Steak Bites
Garlic Butter Chicken and Rice
Tender chicken pieces and fluffy rice cook together in one skillet. Garlic butter coats everything with a savory, rich flavor. It’s the kind of dinner that doesn’t need anything on the side. Quick, comforting, and easy to reheat.
Get the Recipe: Garlic Butter Chicken and Rice
Garlic Butter Chicken Bites
These pan-seared bites are all about crisp edges and juicy centers. The garlic butter is added just before finishing, so it coats the meat without burning. Great for a fast dinner or tucked into wraps. Add herbs or chili flakes for a twist.
Get the Recipe: Garlic Butter Chicken Bites
Garlic Butter Fondant Potatoes
Thick rounds of potato are pan-seared, then roasted in broth and garlic butter. The result is golden, tender, and full of flavor inside and out. It’s an impressive side that feels more complicated than it is. Serve with steak, chicken, or on their own.
Get the Recipe: Garlic Butter Fondant Potatoes
Garlic Butter Green Beans
Quickly blanched or sautéed, the green beans stay crisp but tender. Garlic butter gives them a big upgrade without much effort. Great for holidays or everyday dinners. A squeeze of lemon at the end cuts through the richness.
Get the Recipe: Garlic Butter Green Beans
Garlic Butter Sauce
This basic sauce is ready in minutes and works on everything from steak to pasta. Made with butter, garlic, and a touch of seasoning, it’s endlessly adaptable. Keep it plain or add herbs, lemon, or cheese. Easy to make and freeze in batches.
Get the Recipe: Garlic Butter Sauce
Garlic Butter Shrimp
Shrimp cooks quickly in a skillet with plenty of melted garlic butter. The result is juicy, flavorful, and just a little bit crispy on the edges. Serve over rice, pasta, or with crusty bread. Add parsley or lemon juice at the end for balance.
Get the Recipe: Garlic Butter Shrimp
Garlic Butter Shrimp Pasta
This dish tosses tender shrimp with pasta in a garlic butter sauce. Everything cooks quickly and comes together in one pan. It’s rich, fast, and easy to customize. Try it with spinach, chili flakes, or a splash of cream.
Get the Recipe: Garlic Butter Shrimp Pasta
Garlic Butter Steak Bites
Seared in a hot skillet, the steak pieces are browned on the outside and juicy inside. Garlic butter melts over them just as they finish cooking. Great for serving with toothpicks or over mashed potatoes. A fast way to make steak feel fancy.
Get the Recipe: Garlic Butter Steak Bites
Green Beans with Garlic Butter
Similar to the sautéed version but slightly more delicate, these green beans are tossed in warm garlic butter just before serving. The flavor is bold but doesn’t overpower the vegetable. A classic side that works with nearly any main. Toasted almonds make a nice addition.
Get the Recipe: Green Beans with Garlic Butter
How to Make Lemon Garlic Butter Sauce
This step-by-step guide shows how to balance tangy lemon with savory garlic and rich butter. It’s smooth, pourable, and ideal for fish, chicken, or pasta. A little goes a long way. Make extra and store in the fridge for later.
Get the Recipe: How to Make Lemon Garlic Butter Sauce
Lemon Garlic Butter Pasta
Bright and buttery, this pasta comes together quickly with just a handful of ingredients. The lemon lifts the garlic butter, making it taste fresh but rich. Toss with your favorite noodle and top with cheese or herbs. A great base for adding shrimp or vegetables.
Get the Recipe: Lemon Garlic Butter Pasta
Reverse Seared Smoked Steaks with Smoked Garlic Butter
These steaks are cooked low and slow, then finished with a hot sear. The garlic butter is smoked for extra flavor and added at the end. It melts over the top and seeps into every slice. Bold, smoky, and packed with flavor.
Get the Recipe: Reverse Seared Smoked Steaks with Smoked Garlic Butter
Roasted Garlic Butter
Roasting the garlic first makes the butter mellow and slightly sweet. It spreads easily on bread or melts beautifully over vegetables. Keep a jar in the fridge for whenever you need extra flavor. A small batch goes a long way.
Get the Recipe: Roasted Garlic Butter
Rosemary Garlic Butter
This compound butter blends chopped rosemary with garlic and soft butter. It’s savory, aromatic, and works well on meats, bread, or potatoes. Roll it into a log and slice for easy serving. Freezes well and adds a burst of flavor to anything hot.
Get the Recipe: Rosemary Garlic Butter
