Homemade herb butter is one of the easiest ways to add fresh, delicious flavor to everyday meals.
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Whether you’re spreading it on warm bread, melting it over grilled steak, tossing it with vegetables, or stirring it into pasta, compound butter transforms simple ingredients into something special.
This collection of seven homemade herb butter recipes features everything from classic garlic and parsley to fragrant basil, thyme, dill, rosemary, chives, and even a sweet lavender honey butter.
They’re quick to make, freezer-friendly, and a wonderful way to use fresh herbs from your garden.

Why You’ll Love These Herb Butter Recipes
- Ready in about 10 minutes
- Great way to use fresh garden herbs
- Perfect for freezing
- Delicious on bread, vegetables, pasta, seafood, and meats
- Ideal for holiday dinners and homemade gifts
Rosemary Garlic Butter

This savory rosemary garlic butter combines fresh rosemary with garlic for a rich, aromatic spread that’s perfect on steak, roasted potatoes, grilled chicken, and homemade bread.
It’s one of the most versatile compound butters you’ll ever make.
Perfect with:
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- Steak
- Prime rib
- Roasted potatoes
- Chicken
- Dinner rolls
Lavender Honey Butter

If you’re looking for something a little different, this lightly sweet lavender honey butter combines culinary lavender with honey for a beautiful spread on biscuits, muffins, scones, pancakes, and fresh bread.
Perfect with:
- Biscuits
- Scones
- Cornbread
- Pancakes
- Waffles
Homemade Chive Butter

Fresh chives give this creamy chive butter a mild onion flavor that pairs beautifully with baked potatoes, vegetables, eggs, and grilled meats.
Perfect with:
- Baked potatoes
- Scrambled eggs
- Corn on the cob
- Steamed vegetables
- Steak
Garlic Parsley Butter

This garlic parsley butter is a classic combination that’s perfect for garlic bread, seafood, pasta, and grilled vegetables. Keep a roll in your freezer for quick weeknight meals.
Perfect with:
- Garlic bread
- Shrimp
- Pasta
- Green beans
- Mushrooms
Fresh Dill Butter

Fresh dill creates a bright, flavorful dill herb butter that’s especially delicious with salmon, roasted potatoes, vegetables, and homemade rolls.
Perfect with:
- Salmon
- Roasted carrots
- Potatoes
- Fresh bread
- Green beans
Basil Herb Butter

Fresh basil, garlic, and herbs come together in this flavorful basil herb butter that’s wonderful on pasta, grilled chicken, vegetables, and warm Italian bread.
Perfect with:
- Pasta
- Chicken
- Tomatoes
- Garlic bread
- Zucchini
Thyme Herb Butter

Fresh thyme adds an earthy, savory flavor to this thyme herb butter that pairs beautifully with roasted vegetables, turkey, chicken, pork chops, and mashed potatoes.
Perfect with:
- Turkey
- Chicken
- Pork chops
- Roasted vegetables
- Mashed potatoes
Tips for Making Herb Butter
- Start with softened butter for easy mixing.
- Use fresh herbs whenever possible for the best flavor.
- Finely chop herbs so they’re evenly distributed.
- Roll the butter into a log for easy slicing.
- Refrigerate before serving.
- Freeze extra butter for up to three months.
Ways to Use Herb Butter
Once you have a few herb butters in your refrigerator, you’ll find endless ways to use them.
- Spread on fresh bread
- Melt over grilled steak
- Toss with roasted vegetables
- Finish grilled seafood
- Stir into mashed potatoes
- Brush on corn on the cob
- Toss with hot pasta
- Top baked potatoes
- Melt over grilled chicken
- Add to rice or cooked vegetables
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I freeze homemade herb butter?
Yes! Herb butter freezes beautifully for up to three months. Wrap it tightly in plastic wrap or parchment paper and store it in a freezer-safe bag.
Can I use dried herbs?
Fresh herbs provide the best flavor and texture, but dried herbs can be substituted in smaller amounts if necessary.
What butter is best?
Unsalted butter is recommended so you can control the seasoning and allow the fresh herbs to shine.
Whether you’re harvesting herbs from your garden or picking them up at the farmers market, homemade herb butter is an easy way to preserve fresh flavor and elevate everyday meals.
Keep a few varieties in your refrigerator or freezer, and you’ll always have a simple way to add rich, homemade flavor to everything from vegetables and seafood to bread and grilled meats.
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