If you’re searching for a luscious finishing touch that transforms any dish from simple to sensational, look no further: this Creamy Lemon Butter Sauce is a revelation. It’s velvety, tangy, undeniably rich, and yet somehow never heavy. Perfect as a topper for chicken, fish, or vegetables, it carries a delicate balance between brightness and smooth, buttery comfort. Every spoonful brings a little luxury to the plate, making this not just a sauce, but the main event. Let’s dive into the secrets behind this flavor-packed favorite!

Creamy Lemon Butter Sauce Recipe - Recipe Image

Ingredients You’ll Need

These few ingredients play starring roles in our Creamy Lemon Butter Sauce. Each one brings something vital to the table—zesty brightness, deep creaminess, or savory backbone—so don’t be tempted to skip any. Here’s what makes this sauce so special:

White Wine: Sets the bright, aromatic foundation for the sauce and gently deglazes the pan.
Garlic Clove (smashed): Offers a subtle aromatic punch that infuses the sauce without overpowering it.
Cream: Adds rich silkiness, giving the sauce its irresistible texture.
Fresh Lemon Juice: Provides lively acidity and that unmistakable citrusy tang.
Cold Butter: The magic ingredient that brings a glossy finish and luxurious flavor when stirred in at the end.
Salt and Pepper (to taste): Balances everything perfectly, highlighting each flavor without stealing the spotlight.

How to Make Creamy Lemon Butter Sauce

Step 1: Simmer the Wine and Garlic

Pour the white wine into a saucepan and toss in the smashed garlic clove. Place the pan over medium heat and bring the wine to a gentle simmer. This starts off the Creamy Lemon Butter Sauce with a fragrant base and lets the wine’s acidity mellow as it reduces.

Step 2: Reduce for Intensity

Let the wine and garlic quietly bubble away until the liquid shrinks down by half, about 10 minutes. Reducing concentrates the flavor, giving the sauce depth and character. Don’t rush—it’s worth the wait for that intensified, savory foundation.

Step 3: Whisk in the Cream

Once the wine is reduced, whisk in the cream. Keep the sauce simmering and whisk regularly as it thickens and turns beautifully silky. You’ll know it’s ready for the next step when it coats the back of your spoon in a lush, even layer.

Step 4: Add the Lemon Juice

With your sauce thick and creamy, stir in the fresh lemon juice. Let it cook for another minute or two, whisking frequently. The citrus brightens up the richness, turning every bite of Creamy Lemon Butter Sauce into a delightful dance of flavor.

Step 5: Whisk in the Cold Butter

Take the saucepan off the heat. Whisk in the cold butter one cube at a time, letting each piece fully incorporate before adding the next. This off-the-heat method gives the sauce a luxurious finish without risk of it splitting. The butter melts gently, creating creamy, almost airy consistency.

Step 6: Season and Serve

Give your sauce a final taste and adjust with salt and pepper as needed. Each spoonful should be rich but never cloying, with a spark of lemon and a mellow, buttery finish. Pour it generously over your favorite dishes and watch every bite come alive!

How to Serve Creamy Lemon Butter Sauce

Garnishes

For an elegant look and an extra burst of flavor, top your Creamy Lemon Butter Sauce with delicate sprigs of fresh herbs, a sprinkle of finely grated lemon zest, or even a few twists of cracked black pepper. These simple additions make each serving as beautiful as it is delicious.

Side Dishes

This luxurious sauce is a natural over roasted or grilled chicken, flaky white fish, or even sautéed vegetables like asparagus and green beans. Try it over pasta for an easy weeknight treat, or serve it drizzled atop steamed new potatoes—heaven!

Creative Ways to Present

For a fun twist, use Creamy Lemon Butter Sauce as a warm dipping sauce for crusty bread or pour it over a fillet of salmon with a sprinkle of capers. Or, spoon it into small serving jars alongside vegetables for stylish, individual dipping cups at your next gathering.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

If you find yourself with extra Creamy Lemon Butter Sauce, let it cool to room temperature and transfer to an airtight container. It will keep well in the refrigerator for up to three days, making it a brilliant choice for prepping ahead of a dinner party.

Freezing

Although best enjoyed fresh, you can freeze Creamy Lemon Butter Sauce in a tightly sealed container for up to one month. Thaw it overnight in the fridge before reheating gently—just keep in mind that the texture may be slightly less silky after freezing due to the cream content.

Reheating

When ready to enjoy, reheat the sauce in a saucepan over very low heat, whisking constantly. Avoid bringing it to a boil or hot simmer; gentle warming will help preserve the sauce’s creamy, emulsified texture.

FAQs

Can I make Creamy Lemon Butter Sauce without wine?

Absolutely. If you prefer not to use wine, simply replace it with chicken or vegetable broth. You’ll still get wonderful flavor with just a slightly different character—you might even add a splash more lemon juice for extra zip.

What protein pairs best with this sauce?

Creamy Lemon Butter Sauce is incredibly versatile. It shines over seared chicken breast, baked salmon, grilled shrimp, or any mild white fish. It’s equally at home poured over roasted vegetables or tossed with pasta.

Can I use bottled lemon juice?

Fresh lemon juice is highly recommended for the brightest, cleanest flavor, but in a pinch, bottled lemon juice will work. Just be aware some bottled juices can be more tart or slightly bitter, so taste and adjust if needed.

How can I prevent my sauce from splitting?

The key is to whisk in the butter off the heat and to make sure your butter is cold. This allows the fat to emulsify smoothly into the sauce and keeps it creamy, glossy, and lump-free.

Is there a way to make this sauce dairy-free?

For a dairy-free variation, try substituting the cream with a plant-based option like coconut cream or unsweetened cashew cream, and use a quality vegan butter. The flavor profile will change, but you’ll still get that wonderful creamy texture.

Final Thoughts

Once you’ve tasted the magic of Creamy Lemon Butter Sauce, you’ll want to find new reasons to make it again and again. I hope this recipe inspires you to drizzle it generously, share it often, and savor every bite—because truly great sauces are meant to be enjoyed by everyone at the table!

Creamy Lemon Butter Sauce Recipe

★★★★★

4.8 from 16 reviews

Author: anna
Total Time: 20 minutes
Yield: 4 servings 1x
Diet: Vegetarian

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Description

Indulge in the luxuriously silky and tangy flavor of this Creamy Lemon Butter Sauce that pairs perfectly with seafood or pasta dishes. This velvety sauce is a breeze to make and elevates any meal to a restaurant-worthy experience.

Ingredients

Scale

For the Creamy Lemon Butter Sauce:

1 cup white wine
1 garlic clove (smashed)
1 cup cream
2 tbsp fresh lemon juice
4 tbsp cold butter
salt and pepper (to taste)

Instructions

Pour the white wine into a saucepan and add a smashed garlic clove. Set the pan over medium heat then bring to a simmer and allow the liquid to reduce by half, approximately 10 minutes.
Whisk in the cream and allow to simmer, whisking regularly, until the cream has reduced and coats the back of a spoon easily.
Stir in the lemon juice and cook, whisking regularly, for another 1-2 minutes.
Take the pan off the heat then whisk in the cold butter, one cube at a time, until the butter is emulsified into the sauce. By adding the butter off of the heat, the butter won’t melt quickly and cause the sauce to split.
Taste and season with salt and pepper then serve.

Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Category: Sauce
Method: Simmering
Cuisine: Global