Creamy Lemon Butter Sauce Recipe
A rich and tangy creamy lemon butter sauce that perfectly balances the freshness of lemon with the smoothness of butter and cream. Ideal for drizzling over seafood, chicken, or vegetables, this sauce brings a bright, luxurious flavor to your dishes with minimal effort.
- Author: Isla
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Total Time: 17 minutes
- Yield: About 1 cup (enough for 4 servings) 1x
- Category: Sauce
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: French-inspired
- Diet: Low Salt
Butter and Aromatics
- 120 grams unsalted butter
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
Sauce Base
- 240 millilitres heavy cream
- 1 tablespoon finely grated lemon zest
- 2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard (optional)
Seasonings and Garnish
- Salt, to taste
- Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- 1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley or chives, for garnish
- Melt the Butter: In a medium saucepan over medium heat, melt 120 grams of unsalted butter until it begins to bubble, being careful not to let it brown to maintain a smooth flavor base.
- Sauté Garlic: Add 2 cloves of minced garlic to the melted butter. Stir constantly and sauté for 30 seconds to 1 minute until the garlic is aromatic and lightly softened without burning it.
- Add Cream: Pour in 240 millilitres of heavy cream and bring the mixture to a gentle simmer. Stir occasionally and let it cook for 3 to 5 minutes to allow the sauce to thicken slightly without boiling.
- Incorporate Lemon: Stir in 1 tablespoon of finely grated lemon zest and 2 tablespoons of freshly squeezed lemon juice. Let the sauce simmer for an additional 2 to 3 minutes to infuse the citrus flavors thoroughly.
- Season and Enhance: Season the sauce with salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste. If desired, whisk in 1 teaspoon of Dijon mustard to add depth and complexity to the flavor.
- Finish and Garnish: Remove the sauce from heat and sprinkle 1 tablespoon of chopped fresh parsley or chives on top. Serve the creamy lemon butter sauce immediately for best flavor and texture.
Notes
- Avoid boiling the cream to prevent the sauce from separating and maintain a velvety texture.
- Dijon mustard is optional but adds a nice depth of flavor.
- This sauce pairs wonderfully with seafood, chicken, pasta, or steamed vegetables.
- For a lighter option, substitute half-and-half for heavy cream, though the sauce will be less rich.
- Use fresh lemon zest and juice for the best citrus flavor.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/4 cup (60 ml)
- Calories: 180
- Sugar: 1 g
- Sodium: 90 mg
- Fat: 18 g
- Saturated Fat: 11 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 1 g
- Fiber: 0 g
- Protein: 1 g
- Cholesterol: 60 mg
Keywords: lemon butter sauce, creamy lemon sauce, garlic butter sauce, creamy sauce recipe, lemon cream sauce