If you’ve ever tasted black garlic, you know its allure: a deep, slightly sweet, and savory flavor with none of the harshness of raw garlic. Now imagine marrying that flavor to the creamy richness of butter—absolute perfection! Black garlic butter is a culinary secret weapon that can instantly elevate nearly any dish, from a simple piece of toasted bread to a sizzling steak. Below, we’ll explore some of the most popular ways to use this rich, umami-packed spread and invite you to share your own ideas at the end.

What Is Black Garlic?

Before we dive into all the delicious possibilities, let’s do a quick refresher on black garlic. Regular garlic is slowly fermented at low heat and humidity over several weeks (sometimes up to a month), resulting in black cloves with a soft, almost jelly-like texture. The process transforms the garlic’s sharp bite into an earthy, tangy sweetness reminiscent of balsamic vinegar or molasses. It’s packed with antioxidants, too—so you can feel good about adding this flavor bomb to your meals.

Creating Your Own Black Garlic Butter

While there are ready-made black garlic butter options, you can also whip it up at home. Here’s the simplest way:

  1. Soften Your Butter: Leave a stick of unsalted butter out at room temperature until it’s soft but not melted.

  2. Mince the Black Garlic: Since black garlic has a soft texture, you can easily mash or mince it. Aim for a smooth paste-like consistency to distribute the flavor evenly.

  3. Mix It All Together: Combine the softened butter with the minced black garlic. Add a pinch of salt, a splash of lemon juice, or even a tiny drizzle of olive oil for extra creaminess.

  4. Shape and Chill: Roll the butter in parchment paper or a plastic wrap “log.” Pop it in the fridge until it’s firm enough to slice or spread as desired.

5 Tasty Ways to Use Black Garlic Butter

  1. Slather on Bread
    Elevate a classic: Spread black garlic butter on warm bread, crostini, or dinner rolls. Top with a sprinkle of fresh herbs like chives or parsley for a burst of color (and flavor).

  2. Enhance Your Steak
    A pat of black garlic butter on a freshly grilled steak turns a great meal into a gourmet experience. Let the butter melt over the hot meat, infusing it with sweet-savory goodness.

  3. Sautéed Vegetables
    Instead of plain olive oil, try using a spoonful of black garlic butter in your skillet. The result: earthy, caramelized vegetables that taste like they came from a high-end restaurant.

  4. Finish Sauces and Soups
    Stir a dollop of black garlic butter into a sauce or soup just before serving. This extra step will give a unique depth of flavor, particularly delightful in creamy soups or simple tomato sauces.

  5. Toss with Pasta
    Skip the store-bought sauce for a night and toss freshly cooked pasta directly with black garlic butter, grated Parmesan, and a few cherry tomatoes or sautéed mushrooms. Add black pepper and fresh basil for a restaurant-worthy dish.

Pro Tips for Storage and Use

  • Storage: Keep black garlic butter refrigerated in an airtight container or wrapped in parchment or plastic wrap. It’ll last for about 1–2 weeks in the fridge, or up to 3 months in the freezer.

  • Versatility: Don’t limit yourself to savory mains. A tiny dab can add an unexpected sweet-savory twist to roasted fruits or in certain dessert experiments (think black garlic chocolate truffles—if you dare!).

  • Experiment: Because black garlic butter is loaded with umami, it pairs well with a wide range of ingredients. Try mixing in some chili flakes, fresh herbs, or a dash of soy sauce to create new flavor combinations.

Join the Conversation: Share Your Ideas!

Now that we’ve explored a few delicious ways to use black garlic butter, we’d love to hear from you. Have you tried it on fish or roasted chicken? Do you have a stellar recipe for black garlic mashed potatoes? Or maybe you’ve discovered a sweet dish it complements perfectly?

Tell us in the comments: What’s your favourite way to use black garlic butter?

We’re always excited to see the creative ways you bring this versatile spread into your kitchen. Happy cooking, and welcome to the wonderful world of black garlic!