The Best Garlic Bread Recipe That’s Actually Different
We’re all not cooks, but we are all eaters, right? And what is the one thing everyone loves? Garlic bread! I can’t wait to share with you the best garlic bread recipe that’s actually different from the rest.
Even if you consider yourself not a cook, you can make this most delicious garlic bread and everyone will be impressed. It has been a family favorite and a crowd pleaser for use for a long time.
Why change the classic garlic bread recipe?
I have always loved to cook, even when I was a child. Being the youngest, with siblings 5-9 years older than me, my mom got bored of cooking around the time that I was the last child left at home. That’s when I was able to slip in the kitchen and let my experimenting nature flourish.
When having your own kitchen, why not experiment? You know what flavors you and your family like best, and it is always fun to tweak classic recipes and come up with versions that can become your signature dish. Almost 30 years ago, I began making garlic bread with this “new method” and suddenly I was hooked. I think you might be too.
Different flavors will elevate your dish
With something as classic as garlic bread, you wouldn’t think that much could be changed, right? I mean, there just aren’t that many ingredients. But adding a few different flavors, along with the freshest of ingredients, can really elevate your garlic bread to something special.
And however you choose to make it, or what you serve it with, can make even the simplest of meals into something special. The best part is, that with this easy garlic bread recipe, you will never buy store-bought garlic bread again! When you have the best homemade garlic bread recipe that just takes minutes, you won’t ever go back.
Ingredients for the Best Garlic Bread
The basics of garlic bread seem pretty straight forward right? Bread, butter and garlic, what more do you need? But when you are making the best garlic bread that is different from the rest, we need to tweak these ingredients.
These are the items I start with to make the best garlic bread you will ever have. You will need to gather together: real butter, extra virgin olive oil, a white wine, fresh parsley, fresh basil, fresh garlic cloves, kosher salt and some fresh grated parmesan cheese for a yummy garnish.
Let’s break down a few of these ingredients so you know how you can tweak this to make the best version for you.
The bread
There are three types of bread I typically choose from when making garlic bread. If I am at the grocery store buying specifically for the meal that I am making, then I will make that choice accordingly.
The three I use often are; a french baguette, a larger rustic Italian bread, or a soft loaf of french bread. Each create a bit of a different experience as their sizes and textures are different.
A baguette is long and thin, and when sliced on the diagonal, makes the perfect little scoop to dip into soups or chile. The larger loaf of a rustic bread pairs great with pastas and salad where you would be eating your bread as the flavor accompaniment. And the soft french loaf will provide the crispy edges with a soft garlic bread center that many people crave with their pasta dinners or just as a classic side dish.
Whatever bread you start with, make sure it is a high quality bread and the texture you prefer.
The butter
The best part about this favorite go-to recipe is the fact that you don’t have to wait around for softened butter. Remember, we’re doing things a bit different here.
You can start with salted or unsalted butter. I prefer unsalted, but basically I use whatever stick of butter I have on hand.
If I have made herb butter recently and can save myself a step there, I will use that. The amount of butter you will use can be fluid, but we will talk about that in a minute. The main thing is that you start with real butter and not margarine.
The herbs
I personally love fresh herbs, so I always have some in my garden. But since I live in Michigan, there are winter months that these aren’t viable, even though sometimes I will keep a few in potted plants. When I can purchase or pick fresh herbs I will. However, I have made this toasty garlic bread with dried herbs and it is still yummy.
I like to use fresh parsley and fresh basil. If you are one of those people that don’t like the flavor of basil (oh, the horror!) then simply use parsley. This year I grew curly parsley versus flat leaf, but any variety will do.
The main thing that is most important is to start with raw garlic. Meaning, if you want the best garlic flavor, this comes from lots of garlic that has been freshly cut or smashed through a garlic press. Minced garlic out of a jar just doesn’t do it for me. So if you want to experience the best loaf of garlic bread ever, try this recipe with all the freshest ingredients, especially the herbs and garlic!
The secret sauce
The thing that makes this recipe so different is that we are not creating a garlic spread, but a secret sauce that we will be dunking our toasted bread pieces into and soaking it up with all the buttery goodness.
Besides butter, the ingredients that will make up this secret sauce is extra virgin olive oil and a white wine. To be transparent, I am not a wine drinker. Actually, I drink no alcohol at all but I do cook with it occasionally. Basically, a few times a year, I stock up on small single serving bottles of wine that I like to use in sauces. So I am sure what I am using can be greatly improved upon for those that have a taste for fine wine.
Preparation and timing of the perfect garlic bread
The biggest thing in making the garlic bread is getting your timing right for it to be hot and ready when serving the meal.
The nice thing about this family favorite recipe is, you can chop and do all your prep ahead of time. Then you will simply have the last few minutes to pull it altogether before you sit down and indulge in this buttery garlic bread that will become your fave.
The garlic butter mixture
Prep the butter mixture by chopping the fresh herbs and the garlic. I like to use a garlic press, but you can finely mince the garlic cloves with a knife.
You can prep and complete your butter mixture ahead of time, then heat it up at the last minute if that works for your meal timing. Or you can simmer it all at the last minute.
Basically you will melt the butter and cook the garlic a bit, over medium heat. Watch it so it doesn’t burn. Add the olive oil and the white wine. Add extra salt as needed (if using unsalted butter).
Simmer a few minutes, then add the fresh herbs. Cook on low a few more minutes, then turn the heat off until you are ready to assemble the garlic bread.
Prepping the loaf of bread
Whatever yummy, crusty bread you have chosen for your garlic bread, you will need to slice it into the serving sizes and place on a large baking sheet. I use a large serrated knife for this.
Right before serving, you will toast the bread in the oven, under the broiler. Keep your oven rack a bit away from the broiler so you don’t toast the bread too quickly. No parchment paper is required as your bread is going in dry and only toasting in the oven.
Rotate all sides to make sure each piece will be nice and crispy. If you want a soft and chewier bread, simply toast the top (or main side) of the bread, and leave the others warm but not toasted.
Best bread for the garlic bread:
Pulling the garlic bread all together
Just before you are ready to put everything on the dinner table, complete that last rotation of the bread in the oven.
Remove the toasted bread pieces, and dip them into the butter mixture, coating all sides of the bread. If you pre-prepped the butter mixture, simply turn on the stove again on a low simmer to keep everything hot and melty during this step.
If using a baguette, coating all sides is very easy. With the larger pieces, you will need to help out in a bit in getting all sides coated with the buttery mixture.
If you end up with more bread and still a lot of herbs and garlic in your pan, simply add a bit more of the wet ingredients (butter, olive oil, and wine) to complete and coat the rest of your bread pieces. There’s literally no such thing as too much butter.
Topping and serving the best garlic bread ever
Pile that yummy, good garlic bread on a platter and get ready to eat! Top with fresh grated parmesan. Using a microplane to shred the hard cheese will make this step quick and easy. Enjoy your hot, crispy garlic bread!
Remember, if you serve and display on a wood board like I have, the oil and butter from the bread may seep into your wood board. You can always line it with parchment as a layer of protection, but it still could get an oily residue on your wood.
I wash mine with Dawn dish soap after, but sometimes the oils show through. This doesn’t bother me as I have several wood serving boards I use, and only use one that I allow the oils to get on.
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The recipe card for the best garlic bread
The Best Garlic Bread That's Actually Different
This garlic bread is made a bit different than in the classic style and it is the yummiest! Once you try it, you will never go back to the old way.
Ingredients
- One loaf of unsliced bread - French baguette, Italian rustic, or soft French bread
- 1-2 sticks of unsalted butter
- 1/3 cup extra virgin olive oil
- 1/3 cup white wine
- 5-6 cloves of fresh garlic, minced or pressed
- small bunch of fresh parsley, chopped
- small bunch of fresh basil, chopped
- coarse kosher salt, to taste
- fresh grated parmesan cheese
Instructions
- Slice the bread into desired sizes and thick slices and set aside.
- Melt 1 stick of butter in a saucepan.
- Add the fresh garlic and cook for a few minutes while butter melts.
- Drizzle olive oil into mixture.
- Add white wine. Splash a bit more if you like!
- Add salt and fresh herbs.
- Continue simmering over low heat for several minutes, until foamy and bubbly. Do not brown the butter.
- Remove from heat and set aside.
- Toast bread slices in oven under broiler, rotating pieces so all sides are crispy. Be careful not to burn.
- Remove bread from oven and immediately soak bread on all sides in the butter mixture.
- Top with fresh grated parmesan and enjoy!
Notes
You can use dried herbs, but fresh will add more flavor.
If you’d like to get inspired about more stuff for your home and lifestyle, let’s hang out more. Follow along on these platforms. Check back next week for more tips and tricks for the upcoming holidays.
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Thanks for reading. I know you will love it when you try it!
I love the idea of putting a twist on classic garlic bread! It’s such a favorite in my household, and I can’t wait to try your method. Experimenting with flavors sounds fun, and I agree—homemade always beats store-bought. Excited to impress my family with this recipe! Thanks for sharing!
You will love it!
This looks AMAZING!
I can’t wait to try it, Jill.
That looks and sounds amazing! I’ve never thought about making it that way!