How to Make Texas Toast Garlic Bread
Updated: Nov. 14, 2022
Why have regular garlic bread when you could have buttery, herby Texas toast instead?
There are some classic foods that don’t need any tampering with because they’re perfect as is—and Texas toast is one of those foods. It’s the perfect accompaniment to any saucy southern meal. Pair it with barbecue, braised meats, chili or any of your favorite wintry slow cooker meals.
What Is Texas Toast?
Texas toast is thick-cut white bread slathered in garlic-herb butter and griddled to golden perfection. As they say, everything’s bigger in Texas—including their toast!
Why Is It Called Texas Toast?
The origin story is that the manager of a local restaurant chain called the Pig Stand ordered thick-sliced bread from the bakery. The bread turned out to be too thick for the toaster. Instead of tossing out the bread, one of the cooks covered it in butter, threw it on the griddle and the beloved Texas toast was born.
The catch is that there are two people from different Pig Stand locations who get credit for this Texas specialty: Royce Hailey from Beaumont’s Pig Stand drive-in, and Wiley W.W. Cross at Kirby’s Pig Stand in Denton, TX. We’ll never know who actually came up with the original concept, but we know that Texas is the only state to have their own famous toast.
Homemade Texas Toast Recipe
Ingredients
- 8 tablespoons unsalted butter (1 stick), room temperature
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon minced fresh parsley (or 1/2 teaspoon dried parsley)
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
- Fresh black pepper
- 1 loaf soft white bread, unsliced
Directions
Step 1: Make garlic butter
First, mince the garlic. Make thin slices horizontally, then vertically to make batonnets, or matchsticks. Keep the batonnets together and slice them crosswise, making small chopped pieces of garlic.
Continue to go over the garlic with your knife, once in a while turning your knife horizontal (with the edge away from you!) and dragging it over the garlic sideways. This will help flatten and break down the garlic. Keep chopping and dragging your knife over the garlic until you’ve made a paste.
In a small bowl, combine the softened butter, garlic paste, chopped parsley, salt and a twist of fresh cracked black pepper. Use a rubber spatula or gloved hands to mix until thoroughly combined.
Step 2: Butter your toast
Slice your bread 3/4 to 1-in. thick. Spread an even coating of butter on each side of the bread, making sure to reach all the way to the crust.
Step 3: Toast your bread
Heat your griddle on the stovetop. Place the buttered bread on the hot griddle and allow to toast until golden brown. To get an even browning, it helps to weigh it down with another heavy pan. Flip the toast and brown the other side. Enjoy immediately for the tastiest Texas toast.
Editor’s Tip: If you don’t have a griddle, you can use any large, thick-bottomed pan. Looking to add a griddle to your kitchen? Check out our Test Kitchen-recommended best electric griddles.
Tips for Making Texas Toast
Can you put Texas toast in the air fryer?
Yes, you can make Texas toast in the air fryer. Make sure to spray the basket before adding the toast, and only do one layer of bread at a time. It should take about 2-3 minutes at 350°F to turn golden brown.
What is the best bread for Texas toast?
Traditionally, Texas toast is made with white sandwich bread that is cut thicker than average sandwich bread. However, you can make it with any sort of whole Italian or French bread.
What can you do with Texas toast?
Anything you can do with bread, you can do better with Texas toast! It makes a delicious base, and it goes great with anything cheesy. It’s perfect for pizzas, patty melts, tuna melts and these open-faced Italian joes. There’s so many ways to try it, you’ll have to make an extra batch of toast!
Originally Published: November 14, 2022
