Lemon Butter Sauce

Looking for an all-purpose sauce for meat, fish, salmon, shrimp, or scallops? Try our tangy, and creamy lemon butter sauce to enhance your savory dishes. Creamy lemon sauce is one of those effortless recipes that will give you restaurant-quality dishes at home.  

Serve it with your sauteed vegetables, pasta, or rice, it’s good in every way. This bright and lively sauce is made with just 3 simple ingredients – plus some fresh herbs. And it will take you just 10 minutes to do it!

Easy Lemon Butter Sauce Recipe Ingredients:

Missing some rich and tangy sauce to enjoy with family and friends? This lemon butter sauce recipe is simple yet full of delicate flavors. It’s made with only 3 core ingredients, lemon, butter, and chicken stock. Plus some fresh herbs of your choice. 

Our homemade lemon butter sauce is more delicious than the store-bought ones. And turns our simple daily dishes into something special. Try this once and it’ll be your new favorite. The ingredients are already available in your pantry and garden. Let’s know them together:

Lemon Juice:

Freshly squeezed lemon juice gives freshness and tang to the lemon butter sauce for fish. The bright citrus flavor combines seamlessly with the creaminess of the butter making an irresistible sauce. Use 3 tablespoons of fresh lemon juice.

Lemon Zest:

Using lemon zest is optional. Spread ½ teaspoon of lemon zest on top of the sauce. It’ll enhance the look of the sauce.

Butter:

Are you also addicted to butter? Butter is the base of our lemon butter dip. It thickens the sauce and makes it rich and smooth. Use salted or unsalted butter. I use ½ cup unsalted butter in the recipe.

Chicken Stock:

Chicken stock gives some depth in the lemon butter sauce and balances the flavors. Try to use homemade chicken stock for better flavors. Use ½  cup of chicken stock in the lemon garlic sauce recipe.

Salt:

Salt will help to pop up the other flavors. Add a pinch first, then taste and add more if you need to.

Black Pepper:

Black pepper gives depth to the flavor of savory recipes. Nothing can be compared to some freshly ground black pepper. Add ½ teaspoon to the lemon butter drizzle recipe.

Garlic:

Garlic has a unique flavor profile. It mellows nicely in the butter and makes the sauce yummy. Use 1 tablespoon of fresh garlic, chopped.

Dijon Mustard:

Dijon mustard works with the tanginess of lemon juice and makes our butter sauce for pasta spicy. Use ½ teaspoon in the easy lemon sauce recipe.

Parsley:

Fresh parsley gives brightness to the taste of sauces and salads. Use 1 tablespoon of freshly chopped parsley in the garlic lemon butter sauce recipe.

Dill:

Dill has a slightly tangy and herby taste. The best part is the aroma it spreads in the sauce. Use ½ teaspoon in the recipe.

Thyme:

Use ½ teaspoon of dried thyme in the citrus sauce recipe.

Cilantro:

Cilantro is one of the most popular herbs. I love its flavor and try to use it in everything. 1 teaspoon of fresh cilantro leaves gives a heavenly touch to our lemon butter sauce.

Honey:

Honey will give a latent sweetness to balance all the active flavors. Use 1 teaspoon of honey in this butter sauce for pasta.

How to Make Lemon Butter Sauce for Fish?

Wanna know how to make this all-purpose, rich, and delicious lemon butter sauce? Be it your breakfast pancakes or dinner lemon chicken, this sauce fits perfectly with both. Follow the easy steps mentioned below and make the best sauce for seafood.

Step 1:

Put a saucepan on the stove. Melt ½ teaspoon of butter and add the chopped garlic. Saute until golden. 

Step 2:

Now put the chicken stock and simmer for 5 minutes. Add the remaining cold butter slowly. Keep whisking to create a foamy texture of the sauce. 

Step 3:

Lastly add lemon juice, dijon mustard, salt, pepper, honey, and fresh herbs. Simmer for 2 minutes on low flame. Turn off the flame. Serve warm. Garnish with fresh cilantro and lemon zest.

Serving Suggestions For Lemon Butter Sauce:

Lemon butter sauce has numerous serving options. Here are some ideas to use it. Pour it over chicken, steak, turkey, or any other meat. The luscious gravy of the sauce will make the meat extremely delicious. Another option is to serve it with fish, seafood, shrimp, scallops, lobster etc. It gently overpowers the smell of fish. 

This lemon butter sauce can be a good pasta sauce. Toss pasta in the sauce and enjoy the fresh, tangy flavor of the pasta. Drizzle it over sauteed vegetables to make your vegetable intake enjoyable. Also, this creamy, spicy, garlicky sauce is perfect as a dip for fried items. 

Recipe Tips & Notes:

• If making this easy tangy lemon glaze for fish, try to add most or all of the herbs mentioned. Herbs play a significant role in the taste of the sauce. 

• Add vegetable stock if you are a vegetarian. Or 2 tablespoons of white wine if you don’t have restrictions. 

• Whisk the butter in little by little on a medium to low heat. The butter may separate from the sauce on high heat. 

• Use herbs at the last step of making the sauce to keep their freshness intact.

• As the lemon butter sauce is thick and creamy, serve a little first, then add if needed. Otherwise, the sauce will overpower other flavors of the dish. 

• This recipe will also work with margarine or clarified butter instead of butter.
• I added a tiny pinch of saffron powder to give the zesty butter drizzle a warm yellow color.

• Adjust the amount of lemon juice in the sauce according to your desired tanginess.

• Chopped olives can be a nice addition while serving the lemon-flavored sauce with pasta.

Nutrition Facts
Calories(per serving)	Fat	Carbs	Protein
380	10 g	3 g	2 g

Essential Tools for Lemon Butter Sauce

1. Citrus Juicer: For fresh lemon juice.
2. Fine Mesh Strainer: To remove pulp and seeds.
3. Saucepan: Even heating to prevent burning.
4. Whisk: For a smooth, velvety sauce.
5. Garlic Press: Quick garlic mincing for bold flavor.

These tools make preparing the perfect lemon butter sauce a breeze!

Frequently Asked Questions:

I tried to keep the lemon butter sauce recipe simple enough for everyone to understand. Still here are some further questions that may cross your mind while making the sauce.  

1. What is Lemon Butter Sauce?

Lemon butter sauce is one of the most flavorful sauces with simple ingredients. I personally love the lemon-infused sauces. Stir some lemon juice, butter, and chicken stock together. Season with fresh herbs of your choice. It’s that simple. But the flavors are remarkable. 

2. Can You Store And Reheat Lemon Butter Sauce?

Yes, you can. Transfer the sauce to an airtight container. Store in the fridge for up to 5 days. Reheat in a saucepan or in the microwave and enjoy whenever you crave.

3. How Do You Thicken Lemon & Butter sauce?

Wondering how to thicken the citrusy butter sauce? Use cold cubed butter. Whisking continuously will help it to melt into the sauce while also thickening it a little for a rich, creamy texture. Add some more butter for more thickness. 

4. Can You Freeze Lemon Butter Sauce?

Yes, you can! Freeze it for 3 months in a sealed container. Thaw fully and reheat before serving. Adding some fresh herbs while reheating may be a great idea.

Last Words:

Are you a fan of citrusy sauces? Then this deliciously buttery, tangy, savory lemon garlic butter sauce will simply win your heart. Plus the sauce is made healthy with vitamin C and fresh herbs.

Once you try it, you’ll literally drizzle it over everything. The serving tips are mentioned above. So, what are you waiting for? Make a batch today and enjoy it with family and guests.