There's something irresistible about the aroma of garlic bread wafting through the kitchen — that perfect blend of butter and herbs that transforms a plain loaf into something special. While the grocery store freezer aisle offers convenient options, nothing compares to the satisfaction of creating your own garlic bread at home.
With just a few quality ingredients and some basic techniques, you can elevate this humble side dish from an afterthought to the star of your table.
Garlic Bread Basics
Before diving into how to make garlic bread, it’s important to understand what makes a good garlic bread base, whether you're following a recipe or improvising with what's available in your pantry.
The ideal bread is sturdy enough to hold your garlic butter mixture without becoming soggy, yet soft enough to soak up those delicious flavors. You'll want a bread with a substantial crust, which will crisp up beautifully to provide a satisfying crunch, and a tender interior. Some types to consider include:
- Baguette
- Italian
- Ciabatta
- Sourdough
The freshness of your bread matters just as much as the variety. Day-old bread often works best as it has had time to develop structure and won't compress as easily when you add an infused spread. However, you’ll want to avoid bread that's too stale, as it may become excessively hard when toasted.
Perfect Pairings
The beauty of garlic bread lies in its ability to elevate almost any meal, from your basic weeknight pasta to an elaborate holiday feast. While you might be tempted to dive into your creation fresh from the oven, here are some classic companions:
- Pasta dishes (Spaghetti Bolognese or lasagna)
- Soups (Tomato or French onion)
- Salads (Caesar or panzanella)
- Barbecued meats (Steak or ribs)
- Appetizers (Bruschetta or antipasto)
How to Store Garlic Bread
Leftover garlic bread? If only, you might be saying. While admittedly rare, in the event you happened to make extra, you’ll want to store it properly to preserve freshness and taste.
If you’ll be using it within the next 1-2 days, no need to refrigerate; just keep it at room temp in plastic wrap for the best texture. For longer-term storage, wrap the entire loaf in foil, put it in a freezer-safe bag and pop it in the freezer. When you're ready to indulge, let the bread thaw, then heat on a low temperature until warmed through.
Garlic Bread Recipes
GARLIC BREAD SPREAD RECIPE
Combine pantry staples like Parmesan cheese, plain bread crumbs, McCormick® Garlic Powder and McCormick Parsley Flakes in this simple yet flavorful garlic bread recipe. For better integration, try blending the ingredients in a coffee grinder. Pro tip: To avoid lingering coffee grounds in your garlic bread and herb bits in your morning cup, toss in ¼ cup of rice and grind until it’s pulverized.
HERB GARLIC BREAD
Garlic bread with cheese transforms a staple into an indulgent accompaniment. Here, McCormick's all-in-one seasoning mixture delivers robust garlic, herb and peppery notes to create a delightful compound butter. The loaf is topped with a generous layer of melted mozzarella cheese that pulls apart in ooey-gooey strands.
GARLIC CHEESE BREAD
This garlic bread with cheese recipe has a creamy twist, with the cheese inside for a savory surprise. The infused decadence is spiced just right with McCormick Minced Garlic and McCormick Parsley Flakes. And why not think beyond the dinner table? This will shine at your next brunch gathering as a welcome contrast to traditional egg dishes and sweet treats.
ONION GARLIC BREAD
This sophisticated garlic bread recipe features a medley of aromatic spices, with the addition of onion powder introducing a sweetness and subtle complexity that rounds out the flavor profile of your traditional garlic bread ingredients — McCormick Garlic Powder, McCormick Parsley Flakes and grated parm.
GARLIC AND HERB BREAD
With something as crowd-pleasing as garlic bread, sometimes there’s no need to get complex. When you’re short on time, try this “back-to-basics” garlic bread recipe with a straightforward preparation that lets quality ingredients shine. Enhance the richness of a stick of softened butter by mixing in McCormick Salt Free Garlic and Herb Seasoning, then grill your loaf in the broiler for a quick two to three minutes to get this impressive side on the table fast.
