Garlic butter sauce comes together in minutes for a herby, garlicky, and satisfyingly buttery finish. With just five simple ingredients, this versatile sauce brightens seafood, pasta, pizza, roasted vegetables, and works beautifully as a dipping sauce for appetizers.
Only five ingredients and under five minutes from start to finish—this garlic butter sauce is easy, fast, and full of flavor. It adds a gourmet touch to weeknight dinners and elevates party snacks. Once you make it, you’ll find reasons to drizzle it over everything or serve it as an irresistible dip.
Garlic Butter Sauce Ingredients
The ingredient list is delightfully short—simple pantry staples deliver big flavor.
- Butter – unsalted is recommended so you can control the seasoning; if you only have salted butter, taste before adding extra salt.
- Garlic – fresh and minced for the best aroma and bite.
- Lemon juice – freshly squeezed brightens the sauce and balances the butter.
- Salt and pepper – adjust to taste.
- Parsley – chopped fresh parsley adds color and freshness; optional but recommended.
How to Make Garlic Butter Sauce
Making this sauce is straightforward. Follow these quick steps:
1. Melt the butter in a small skillet over medium heat or in the microwave.
2. Stir in minced garlic and lemon juice, letting the garlic gently warm in the butter to release its aroma.
3. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
4. Remove from the heat and fold in the chopped parsley. Serve immediately.
What to Serve with Garlic Butter Sauce
This sauce is extremely versatile. Here are ideas to inspire how to use it:
- Pasta: toss with hot pasta for an easy sauce or use it to boost richer pasta recipes.
- Breads: use as a dip for toasted bread, garlic toast, or brushed on roasted garlic bread for extra richness.
- Pizza: substitute it for traditional sauce for a buttery, garlicky pizza base.
- Appetizers: pair with fries, onion rings, potato wedges, or crusty bread as a flavorful dip.
- Seafood: pour over lobster, shrimp, white fish, or use as a dip for fried seafood.
- Sauce board: offer it alongside other dips and dressings for guests to sample.
Enjoy this quick and flavorful garlic butter sauce whenever you want to add a buttery, garlicky lift to your meal.
Glorious Garlic Recipes
Try more recipes that showcase garlic, such as Garlic Butter Pasta and Garlic Toast.
Dips
Garlic Parmesan Sauce {Homemade}
Dips
Garlic Salt Recipe
How-to
How to Roast Garlic
Dips
Roasted Garlic Aioli
Garlic Butter Sauce
Equipment
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Small whisk or spoon
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Measuring spoons
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Small skillet or microwave-safe bowl
Ingredients
- 8 tablespoons unsalted butter if using salted, adjust salt to taste
- 4 cloves garlic minced
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- Salt and pepper to taste I started with about 1/8 teaspoon each
- 1-2 tablespoons fresh parsley chopped
Instructions
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Melt the butter in the microwave or in a small skillet over medium heat.
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Stir in the minced garlic and the lemon juice. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
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Remove from heat and stir in the chopped parsley. Serve warm.
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