Lemon Butter Sauce Recipe
This lemon butter sauce recipe is tangy, buttery, and oh-so-satisfying. Whether you're planning a fancy dinner party or just want to add some flavor to your weeknight meal, this sauce is sure to impress.
Servings 4
Calories 104kcal
Ingredients
- 2 oz butter 1/4 cup, unsalted
- 2 tablespoon lemon juice from 1/2 large lemon
- 1/2 teaspoon salt or taste
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- Heat a small saucepan over medium heat. Melt the butter in the pan, whisking often, until the butter starts to lightly brown and takes on a nutty aroma (about 3-4 minutes), then turn off the heat.
- Pour the butter into a bowl and add the lemon juice, salt, and pepper. Mix well - and that's it, the sauce is ready!
How to Store?
- Store: store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 4-5 days. Freeze: I like to freeze it in a large ice cube tray for "portioned" amounts. Freeze until solid, then transfer to an airtight freezer bag/container for up to 3 months. Reheat: you can gently reheat the sauce on the stovetop or in the microwave.
Notes
- Can I use salted butter? Yes, technically, you could. I prefer not to, though, as I'm then able to season it to taste.
- Do I need to brown the butter? Not at all. I love the added depth of flavor to the sauce. However, simply melting the butter will still taste delicious.
- Use a light-colored saucepan: that way, you can easily notice the color change in the butter and avoid burning it.
- Adjust to taste: This recipe's simplicity makes it easy to adapt elements to your taste. Here are some optional add-ins and variations:
- Garlic: Use fresh garlic clove for a more robust lemon garlic butter sauce, though mashed roasted garlic should also work. Adjust the amount to taste.
- Lemon caper butter sauce: Add 2-3 teaspoons of capers to the sauce for a tangy and briny twist.
- White wine: To give your sauce a little extra kick, add a generous splash (2-3 Tbsp) of white wine and let it cook off for a few minutes.
- Herbs: For a popular option with salmon and other fish, add parsley or dill to the recipe. Add the herbs with the lemon and adjust the amount to your taste.
- Parmesan: For a delicious addition to pasta, ravioli, or gnocchi, stir in a few tablespoons of freshly grated parmesan cheese once the heat is turned off.
- Spice: Add a pinch of red pepper flakes and chili powder for a little bit of heat and some extra flavor.
Nutrition
Calories: 104kcal | Carbohydrates: 1g | Protein: 0.2g | Fat: 12g | Saturated Fat: 7g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.4g | Monounsaturated Fat: 3g | Trans Fat: 0.5g | Cholesterol: 30mg | Sodium: 386mg | Potassium: 13mg | Fiber: 0.1g | Sugar: 0.2g | Vitamin A: 355IU | Vitamin C: 3mg | Calcium: 5mg | Iron: 0.02mg