Easy Homemade Herb Butter Recipe With Dried Herbs

What’s good on bread? Butter. What’s better on bread? Herb butter! I know, I know, it sounds like something out of a 1950s ladies’ magazine where everything was garnished with a suspicious parsley curl, but trust me, this is one of those old-school gems that still deserves a spot at your modern dinner table. Whether you’re wrangling sticky toddlers or herding corporate emails, this herb butter recipe with dried herbs will add a hit of flavor without costing you your sanity. It’s a wonderful way to jazz up plain bread, fresh corn, or even a humble baked potato on a random Tuesday night.

I’m going to be completely honest with you – I rarely have fresh basil on hand. The harsh sun and wind in my garden have sadly not been too kind to my plants. And who has the time or the money to keep fresh basil sprouting on the kitchen windowsill year-round?

Like most of us, I often rely on dried herbs in my kitchen.

Thankfully, this easy herb butter recipe is going to put them to proper use! Dried herbs are an absolute lifesaver, giving you that next-level flavor hit without even having to change out of your pyjamas to get to the grocery store.

And if you want to go one step further, garlic herb butter might be your way to go. It’s basically happiness on a butter knife. Spread it on crusty French bread, melt it over steamed green beans, or swirl it into mashed potatoes – you’ll never look at regular butter the same way again. Whether it’s herb butter or garlic herb compound butter, this recipe freezes like a dream in little log shapes. You can make a bunch and always have a fancy finishing touch ready to roll.

In a world that feels a bit too fast and too plastic to me sometimes, there’s something soothingly simple about a homemade herb butter. No crazy gadgets, no mysterious additives. Just honest-to-goodness real butter, a few dried herbs, and maybe a hit of lemon zest if you’re feeling snazzy. So pull up a chair, put your feet up, and let’s get into this recipe. We’re going to bring some old-school magic to the modern mum’s table, one stick of softened butter at a time.

About Herb Butter

Can you use dried herbs in herb butter?

Absolutely! Dried herbs are the easiest way to make a delicious compound butter without worrying about fresh produce going slimy in the crisper. Just remember to use slightly less dried herbs than you would fresh, since their flavor is more concentrated.

How long can you keep homemade herb butter?

Pop your homemade herb butter in an airtight container or wrap it in parchment or wax paper, then store it in the fridge for up to 2 weeks. If you want to keep it even longer, freeze those herb butter logs for up to 3 months.

How much herb should I use to infuse butter?

A good rule of thumb is about 1–2 teaspoons of dried herbs per stick (about 110–115g) of unsalted butter. Feel free to adjust if you want to lean into bolder flavors. Your dinner table, your rules.

Why did my homemade butter go rancid?

Oof, that’s always a heartbreaker. It probably wasn’t sealed properly, or you may have introduced moisture when adding fresh garlic. Always store your herb butter recipe with dried herbs in a tightly sealed container, and if you’re adding fresh ingredients like garlic, use it within a couple of days or freeze for best flavor.

Ingredient List

1 stick (about 115g) of unsalted butter, softened to room temperature

1 teaspoon dried thyme

1 teaspoon dried basil

½ teaspoon garlic powder (or 1 small clove of fresh garlic, minced)

Zest of half a lemon (optional, but delicious)

¼ teaspoon sea salt or kosher salt

A few grinds of black pepper

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. As a first step, place your softened butter in a small or medium bowl. No cold butter – room temperature is the key to easy and even mixing!
2. Sprinkle in your dried thyme, dried basil, garlic powder (or minced fresh garlic), lemon zest, sea salt, and black pepper.
3. Mix well with a fork or a hand mixer until everything is evenly combined into one delicious butter mixture.
4. Place your herbed butter on a piece of parchment paper or plastic wrap, and roll it into a log shape. Twist the ends like a candy wrapper to seal.
5. Chill in the fridge for at least 30 minutes to firm up before slicing, or freeze if you’re stashing it for later.
6. Slice and enjoy on hot French bread, roasted potatoes, steamed green beans, or basically anything that deserves a bit of buttery love.

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Why You’ll Love This

Honestly, this herb butter recipe with dried herbs is the perfect way to add flair to the everyday without busting your budget or turning the kitchen upside down. It uses simple ingredients, takes less than ten minutes to pull together, and is a great addition to so many savory dishes. Plus, it looks like you tried way harder than you actually did. That’s a win in my book.

Tips & Tricks

• Always use room temperature butter – it makes blending so much easier.
• If you want extra flavor, roast a clove of garlic and mash it into the butter.
• Label your herb butter logs with the date so you don’t lose track in the freezer.
• Ice cube trays can help shape the butter prettily if you’re serving it at a dinner party. They’re also a great way to get the kids more excited to try something new. 

Easy Substitutions

Can’t do dairy? Swap in a vegan block butter and it works beautifully.

Allergic to garlic? Skip it, or use a tiny drop of chilli-infused oil instead.

No dried herbs at all? Use a tablespoon of fresh herbs like chives, parsley, or fresh thyme. Just make sure to eat your fresh herbed butter within a couple of days.

I just love quick and fuss-free recipes like this! Your easy herb butter recipe with dried herbs is perfect for adding a sprinkle of old-school charm and a dollop of modern convenience to your weeknight dinners. I’ve included a printable recipe card below because let’s face it, you might want to stick it to the fridge between diaper changes and reheated coffee. 

If you try this, tag me – I love seeing how you’ve dressed up this herb butter recipe with dried herbs!

Herb Butter Recipe With Dried Herbs

Yield: Serves 6-10

Prep Time: 1 minute

Cook Time: 3 minutes

Additional Time: 2 minutes

Total Time: 2 minutes

The perfect way to add flair to the everyday.

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Ingredients

• 1 stick (about 115g) of unsalted butter, softened to room temperature
• 1 teaspoon dried thyme
• 1 teaspoon dried basil
• ½ teaspoon garlic powder (or 1 small clove of fresh garlic, minced)
• Zest of half a lemon (optional, but delicious)
• ¼ teaspoon sea salt or kosher salt
• A few grinds of black pepper

Instructions

1. Place your softened butter in a small or medium bowl. No cold butter - room temperature is the key to easy and even mixing!
2. Sprinkle in your dried thyme, dried basil, garlic powder (or minced fresh garlic), lemon zest, sea salt, and black pepper.
3. Mix well with a fork or a hand mixer until everything is evenly combined into one delicious butter mixture.
4. Place your herbed butter on a piece of parchment paper or plastic wrap, and roll it into a log shape. Twist the ends like a candy wrapper to seal.
5. Chill in the fridge for at least 30 minutes to firm up before slicing, or freeze if you’re stashing it for later.
6. Slice and enjoy on hot French bread, roasted potatoes, steamed green beans, or basically anything that deserves a bit of buttery love.

Notes

• Always use room temperature butter - it makes blending so much easier.
• If you want extra flavor, roast a clove of garlic and mash it into the butter.
• Label your herb butter logs with the date so you don’t lose track in the freezer.
• Ice cube trays can help shape the butter prettily if you’re serving it at a dinner party. They're also a great way to get the kids more excited to try something new.