Aug 29, 2024 This 5-minute butter sauce with garlic is made with just a few basic ingredients that you probably already have at home. I love how it elevates simply-cooked dishes like veggies, fish, shrimp and chicken. Check out why I love this golden, buttery sauce with ALL the garlic goodness:
Perfect for entertaining: Whether hosting a dinner party or a casual gathering, serve this sauce to impress your guests with its irresistible taste. Comforting and satisfying: Enjoy the comforting feeling of warm, buttery sauce that adds a touch of indulgence to any meal. Endless uses: Use it as a dip for bread, a sauce for pasta, a topping for grilled vegetables, or as a base for seafood dishes—its versatility makes it a kitchen essential.
Garlic Butter Sauce Ingredients
Butter: I recommend unsalted butter as it allows you to control the seasoning. Garlic: Use fresh garlic – the fresher, the better. Salt and pepper: This sauce is simple but needs to be seasoned well for best results. Parsley: Use fresh parsley for the best flavor in this sauce.
Dairy-free version: Substitute with margarine or a plant-based butter for a dairy-free option. Seasonings: Experiment with different herbs like minced tarragon, thyme or basil. Spicy: Add a pinch of red pepper flakes or paprika for a hint of spice. Creamy garlic parmesan sauce: Stir in grated Parmesan cheese to the sauce for a rich, creamy texture and added umami flavor. Lemon garlic butter sauce: For a bright, citrusy twist, add a squeeze of fresh lemon juice and lemon zest to the sauce. Perfect to drizzle over seafood or grilled chicken.
Tools to Grab
You’re just going to need to grab a saucepan and you’ll be ready to roll.
Heat the butter
In a small saucepan, gently heat the butter over medium heat until melted.
Sauté the garlic
Add the minced garlic and sauté for 1-2 minutes, stirring continuously, until fragrant.
Flavor the butter
If desired, remove the pan from the heat and season with 1/4 tsp kosher salt, 1/8 tsp pepper, and parsley. Adjust the seasoning to your preference. For longer storage, the sauce can also be frozen. Place it in a freezer-safe container or zip-top bag, removing as much air as possible before sealing. Freeze for up to 3 months.
Reheating garlic butter sauce
To reheat, gently warm the sauce in a small saucepan over low heat, stirring occasionally until heated through. Alternatively, microwave the sauce in short intervals, stirring in between, until warmed to your liking. It’s a lovely sauce with plain grilled chicken or flat iron steak. Serve it as a garlic butter dipping sauce with poached or pan-cooked shrimp in it.
Burning the garlic: Cooking garlic over high heat or for too long can cause it to burn quickly, resulting in a bitter taste. Cook garlic over low to medium heat, stirring constantly to prevent burning. Remove from heat as soon as it becomes fragrant. Using unsalted butter only: Using unsalted butter without adding enough salt can result in a bland sauce. Use salted butter or adjust the seasoning with salt to enhance the garlic and butter flavors. Adding garlic too late: Adding minced garlic too late in the cooking process can result in raw or undercooked garlic flavor.
