Creamy Lemon Butter Sauce Recipe
This creamy lemon butter sauce is a luscious, tangy complement perfect for seafood, chicken, or vegetables. Made with rich butter, fresh lemon juice, and fragrant garlic, this sauce offers a smooth, velvety texture with bright citrus notes and a hint of fresh herbs for garnish.
- Author: Rico
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 15 minutes
- Yield: Approximately 1 cup 1x
- Category: Sauce
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: French
Sauce Ingredients
- 120 grams unsalted butter
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 240 millilitres heavy cream
- 1 tablespoon finely grated lemon zest
- 2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice
- Salt, to taste
- Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard (optional)
- 1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley or chives, for garnish
- Melt Butter: Melt the unsalted butter in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Heat it until it begins to bubble, being careful not to let it brown in order to preserve its delicate flavor.
- Sauté Garlic: Add the minced garlic to the melted butter and sauté for 30 seconds to 1 minute, stirring constantly. This step softens the garlic and releases its aroma without burning it.
- Simmer with Cream: Pour the heavy cream into the saucepan and bring the mixture to a gentle simmer. Stir occasionally and allow it to cook for 3 to 5 minutes, which enables the sauce to thicken slightly and develop a creamy consistency.
- Incorporate Lemon Flavours: Stir in the finely grated lemon zest and freshly squeezed lemon juice. Let the sauce simmer gently for another 2 to 3 minutes, allowing the citrus flavors to meld beautifully with the creamy base.
- Season and Finish: Season the sauce with salt and freshly ground black pepper to your taste. If desired, whisk in the Dijon mustard to add depth and a subtle tang.
- Garnish and Serve: Remove the sauce from heat and garnish with freshly chopped parsley or chives. Serve immediately to enjoy its vibrant and creamy texture at its best.
Notes
- Use unsalted butter to control the saltiness of the sauce.
- Do not let the butter brown to avoid a bitter taste in the sauce.
- Fresh lemon juice and zest provide the best citrus flavor for this sauce.
- Dijon mustard is optional but enhances complexity.
- Serve immediately as the sauce thickens upon standing.
- Great accompaniment for grilled or pan-seared fish, chicken, or steamed vegetables.
Keywords: lemon butter sauce, creamy sauce, lemon cream sauce, garlic butter sauce, seafood sauce, chicken sauce, easy sauce, lemon cream