The brown butter sage sauce is the simplest sauce I have ever tried. You can make this delicious sauce at home with minimal effort and experience. The making process may look simple, but we are here with a simple recipe with professional tips. Therefore, you can make the brown butter sage leaves sauce like an expert.
You can make the sauce using a handful of ingredients and a simple process. But the taste is not ordinary. It offers rich flavors with comfort. Additionally, the flavors of the delicious garlic brown butter sauce provide a luxurious vibe.
Continue reading this article to explore these wholesome experiences. Don’t miss the end of this article to get the chef’s suggestions for making the best brown sugar sage sauce at home.

Why You Must Try This Recipe at Home?
If you want to make a restaurant-quality dish at home with less effort and hassle, the garlic brown butter sage sauce is the best recipe for you. Besides, butter lovers will love this sauce on another level.
Heating the butter will deliver a caramel-like essence, and fresh sage brings a warm and earthy aroma that balances the overall flavor beautifully.
After making this sauce, you can simply toss pasta with this to enjoy restaurant-like pasta at home. Once you make and try this sauce, you can understand the reason why Italian cuisine is incomplete without this simple yet flavorful sauce.
Ingredients and Substitutions You Need for This Recipe
The brown butter sage sauce recipe requires 6 simple ingredients. All the ingredients are common and easily available.
Ingredient | Amount | Substitutions/Note |
Unsalted butter | ½ cup (1 stick) | Salted butter (You have to reduce or avoid using salt if you use salted butter) |
Fresh sage leaves | 6 – 8 leaves | Dried sage ( ½ teaspoon) |
Minced garlic | 1 clove | Shallots |
Salt | ½ teaspoon | It is suggested to use according to your taste |
Ground black pepper | ½ teaspoon | Freshly ground black pepper is preferable |
Grated parmesan cheese | Very little amount | Only for garnishing |
Lemon juice | 1 teaspoon | Optional, use for adding brightness and balancing richness |
- Butter is the main ingredient for this brown butter sage sauce recipe. It adds richness and a burst of flavors.
- Fresh leaves provide a fresh, earthy aroma to balance the essence of butter.
- Garlic is used to enhance flavors. Garlic is a great pair with butter. A combination of garlic and butter gives an amazing flavor that is loved by most people, irrespective of their age.
- Salt and pepper are to season the sauce.
- Parmesan cheese is for garnishing. It helps to achieve a luxurious appearance.
- Though lemon juice is optional, it helps to balance the richness of the butter. If you want to add brightness to the brown butter sage sauce, we recommend adding some lemon juice.
How to Make Brown Butter Sage Sauce: Simple 5 Steps
We have divided this effortless sauce recipe into 5 simple steps. Read this section and experience these steps with us.
Step 1: Heat the Butter
After collecting all the required ingredients, start preparing the sauce.
- Take a skillet and melt butter over medium heat.
- Continue heating until the butter turns golden brown and gives a nutty and buttery aroma.
- You can stir occasionally in the time of heating the butter.
Step 2: Add Sage Leaves
After you have gotten the brown color of the butter, you need to add the fresh sage leaves to the butter. Let the leaves become crispy to prepare the crispy sage brown butter sauce. It may take 1 to 2 minutes.
Step 3: Add Minced Garlic
Now, add minced garlic and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant. The addition of garlic is essential to prepare the garlic brown butter sauce. Garlic complements the flavor of butter. However, you can skip garlic if you want to prepare the basic brown butter sage sauce.
Step 4: Add Seasoning Ingredients
The sauce is almost ready. Before serving the sauce, spread a pinch of salt and ground black pepper in the skillet. Hold the handle of the skillet and shake in a rotational motion. It will help to get an even taste of salt and pepper.
Note: If you want to add lemon juice, you can add it in this step.
Step 5: Garnish and serve the Sauce
Finally, the simple brown butter sauce for ravioli is ready to serve.
- Pour the sauce into a bowl.
- Spread some grated Parmesan cheese over the sauce.
- Toss with pasta, or drizzle over roasted vegetables or chicken to enjoy a wholesome meal.
Chef’s Notes and Tips
- Experts suggest using a light colored skillet to observe the perfect golden brown stage at the right time.
- Always maintain a low to medium heat when heating the butter. Rushing during the melting process can burn the butter.
- Though dried sage is an alternative, fresh sage leaves are the key to getting a desirable flavor and crispy texture.
- After adding the fresh leaves, professionals don’t stir them. They suggest keeping the heat over low to medium heat for 1 to 3 minutes without stirring. Then, you can see the sage leaves start to become brown from the edge. At this stage, you can be sure that the sage becomes crisp perfectly.

Brown Butter Sage Sauce
Ingredients
- 1/2 Cup Unsalted Butter
- 6-8 Leaves Fresh Sage Leaves
- 1 Clove Minced Garlic
- 1/2 Tsp Salt
- 1/2 Tsp Ground Black Pepper
- Grated Parmesan Cheese Optional, For Garnish
- 1 Tsp Lemon Juice Optional
Instructions
- Initially, check the ingredient list and measure them precisely.
- Then, melt the butter over medium heat.
- Continue heating gently until the butter turns golden brown.
- After that, add the fresh sage leaves and cook them for 1 to 2 minutes.
- Now, add minced garlic and cook for 30 seconds.
- Lastly, season the sauce by spreading salt and ground black pepper.
- Finally garnish the sauce using grated parmesan cheese over it.
- Serve the sauce with pasta, grill chicken, or roasted vegetables.
Nutrition
Conclusion
The brown butter sage sauce is proof that not all delicious recipes require a complicated process. You can make some interesting recipes with minimal effort and ingredients. The butter sage sauce is rich and aromatic, and you can make it within a few minutes.
When you feel tired but want to have something good, you can make quick and easy pasta with the brown butter sage sauce. Besides, you can easily impress your guests with this classic sauce. After trying this simple yet fancy sauce, you will come back to it again and again.
FAQs
Can I Make Brown Butter Sage Sauce Without Sage?
Traditional brown butter sage sauce is made using fresh sage leaves. If the sage is unavailable or you want to skip it, you can make brown butter sage sauce without sage. You can use thyme, rosemary, or crisp basil instead of sage.
What Dishes Go Best With Brown Butter Sage Sauce?
Various dishes go best with the brown butter sage sauce. Let me provide a list for you.
- Gnocchi
- Ravioli
- Spaghetti
- Butternut squash
- Roasted vegetables
- Roasted chicken
- Roasted fish
Can I Make Brown Butter Sage Sauce Ahead of Time?
Yes, you can make brown butter sage sauce ahead of time. After making, you can keep it in an airtight glass jar and refrigerate it for up to 2 days. Before using this stored sauce, reheat it over low heat. However, experts suggest serving fresh for the best result.