Can I use unsalted butter instead of salted butter?

Absolutely! Just be sure to taste and season with a little extra salt as you go. This gives you more control, especially if pairing the sauce with already salty dishes.

Is this sauce suitable for pasta?

Without a doubt—this is pasta’s best friend. Toss with noodles straight from the pot, and maybe sprinkle a little extra Parmesan or parsley for good measure.

How do I keep garlic from burning?

Gentle, low heat is the secret. Let it melt and soften slowly—burnt garlic will turn the whole sauce bitter, so don’t rush.

Can I use dried parsley if I don’t have fresh?

Fresh is really ideal for flavor and color, but in a pinch, use a much smaller amount of dried parsley (about 1/3 as much). The flavor will be different, but it’s still tasty.

Garlic Butter Sauce Recipe - LittleSpoonBites

Name: Garlic Butter Sauce Recipe
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 5 min
Total time: 10 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 cup (2 sticks) salted butter; 5-6 cloves garlic, minced; 1 teaspoon lemon zest; 2 tablespoons lemon juice; 1 tablespoon freshly chopped parsley; Salt, to taste (if using unsalted butter or for added flavor); Freshly ground black pepper, to taste

Description

This Garlic Butter Sauce is a rich and flavorful butter sauce infused with fresh garlic, vibrant lemon zest and juice, and parsley. It only takes 10 minutes to prepare and is perfect for drizzling over fish, chicken, steak, or vegetables, adding delicious flavor and moisture to any main or side dish.

Ingredients

Units Scale

Butter Base

1 cup (2 sticks) salted butter

Aromatics

5–6 cloves garlic, minced
1 teaspoon lemon zest

Freshness & Acidity

2 tablespoons lemon juice
1 tablespoon freshly chopped parsley

Optional Seasoning

Salt, to taste (if using unsalted butter or for added flavor)
Freshly ground black pepper, to taste

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Instructions

Melt the Butter & Infuse the Garlic – In a small saucepan, combine the salted butter, minced garlic, and lemon zest. Melt over medium-low heat, stirring often to prevent browning and to infuse the flavors into the butter.
Simmer the Sauce – Reduce the heat to low and let the mixture simmer, whisking constantly for 3-5 minutes, until the garlic softens and becomes fragrant without browning.
Add Lemon Juice & Parsley – Remove the saucepan from the heat. Whisk in the lemon juice and freshly chopped parsley, blending well for a burst of freshness and brightness.
Season and Serve – Season the sauce with salt and pepper to taste. Serve warm drizzled over fish, chicken, steak, or vegetables for an instant flavor boost!

Notes

If using salted butter, you may only need to add pepper. Adjust salt if using unsalted butter.
For fish and vegetables, extra lemon juice enhances the flavors beautifully.
Adjust the amount of lemon juice based on what you’re serving the butter sauce with.
Always simmer over low/medium-low heat to prevent the butter from browning, which changes the sauce’s flavor.

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 cup (entire recipe)
Calories: 1659 kcal
Sugar: 1 g
Sodium: 1465 mg
Fat: 184 g
Saturated Fat: 117 g
Unsaturated Fat: 55 g
Trans Fat: 7 g
Carbohydrates: 8 g
Fiber: 1 g
Protein: 3 g
Cholesterol: 488 mg