Garlic Butter Sauce Recipe

A spoon is lifted above a white ceramic bowl of garlic butter sauce, with sauce dripping from the spoon back into the bowl; chopped parsley is scattered on the surface of the sauce, lemon wedges and garlic bulbs sit in the foreground, and an orange fringed napkin and parsley leaves are visible in the background.

4.79 from 258 votes

This easy garlic butter sauce is made with melted butter, fresh garlic, lemon juice, and herbs. Ready in under 10 minutes, it is perfect for finishing steak, shrimp, pasta, and vegetables or serving as a quick dipping sauce.

Prep Time5

Cook Time5

For the Steak (medium rare)6

Total Time10

Servings: servings (about 2 tbsp each serving)

Calories: 220kcal

Chef: Jessica Randhawa

Ingredients

▢ 8 tablespoons (1-stick) Butter - salted or unsalted, divided
▢ 4 cloves garlic - minced
▢ 1-2 teaspoons garlic powder
▢ 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice - plus more to taste
▢ 1-2 tablespoons fresh parsley - minced (optional)
▢ ½ teaspoon salt - or to taste

Instructions

Prep the garlic. Mince the garlic cloves (or grate them for a smoother sauce). Set aside.
Warm the garlic gently. Add 1 to 2 tablespoons of the butter to a small saucepan set over medium-low heat. Add the minced garlic and cook for 30 to 60 seconds, stirring constantly, just until fragrant.
Melt the remaining butter. Add the rest of the butter, garlic powder, and salt. Keep the heat low and continue whisking until the mixture looks glossy and combined.
Brighten with lemon. Stir in the lemon juice and cook for about 30 seconds more, stirring continuously.
Finish and serve. Remove from heat and stir in the parsley, if using. Taste and adjust with additional salt or lemon juice as needed. Serve warm.

Notes

Salted vs unsalted butter: If using salted butter, reduce the added salt and adjust after tasting.
Do not brown the garlic: Keep the heat on medium-low and stir constantly. Browning garlic can make the sauce taste bitter.
For steak: Cook your steak to your preferred doneness, rest 5 to 10 minutes, then spoon 1 to 2 tablespoons of warm garlic butter sauce over sliced steak right before serving. Try it with my pan seared steak or garlic butter steak bites.
Storage: Store cooled sauce in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. It will solidify when chilled.
Reheating: Rewarm gently over low heat (or in short microwave bursts), stirring often until melted and smooth. If it breaks, whisk vigorously or add a teaspoon of warm water to bring it back together.

This recipe is: gluten-free, low carb, keto-friendly, vegetarian, egg-free, and soy-free

Nutrition

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