Here’s a full recipe for a rich, flavorful Lemon Garlic Butter Sauce—perfect for pasta, fish, chicken, or vegetables.
Lemon Garlic Butter Sauce
Prep Time: 5 mins
Cook Time: 10 mins
️ Servings: 4
✅ Ingredients:
1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter
4 cloves garlic, minced (or more, to taste)
1 tablespoon olive oil (optional, helps prevent butter from burning)
1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional, for a slight kick)
Juice of 1 lemon (about 2–3 tablespoons)
Zest of 1 lemon (optional, for extra brightness)
Salt, to taste (start with 1/4 teaspoon)
Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
1–2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley (optional, for garnish)
2 tablespoons white wine or chicken broth (optional, adds depth)
Instructions:
Melt the butter
In a small saucepan over medium-low heat, add butter and optional olive oil.
Sauté the garlic
Once the butter is melted and foamy, add the minced garlic and red pepper flakes (if using). Cook for about 1–2 minutes, stirring constantly. Do not let the garlic brown—it should just become fragrant.
Deglaze and add lemon
If using wine or broth, add it now to deglaze the pan. Let it simmer for 1–2 minutes. Then, stir in the lemon juice and lemon zest.
Season
Add salt and pepper to taste. Taste the sauce and adjust the lemon, salt, or pepper as needed.
Optional parsley
Stir in fresh parsley at the end for color and freshness.
Serve immediately
Pour over grilled fish, shrimp, chicken, pasta, steamed veggies, or crusty bread.
Tips:
Use fresh lemon juice for the best flavor.
For a creamier version, stir in 1–2 tablespoons of heavy cream before adding the lemon.
Can be doubled and stored in the fridge for up to 3 days—reheat gently
