As I take a moment to reflect on the joys of cooking, I’m filled with gratitude for the simple yet extraordinary recipes that have become cherished staples in my kitchen. Today, I’m excited to share one such treasure: my Creamy Lemon Butter Sauce.
This delightful recipe is a true game-changer, perfect for adding a touch of elegance to your favorite dishes. Its versatility and rich, tangy flavor are sure to make it a go-to in your kitchen. Let’s dive into this heartwarming and delicious creation together!

Table of Contents
Creamy Lemon Butter Sauce is a delightful accompaniment to a variety of dishes. Its smooth texture and tangy flavor make it an excellent choice for enhancing the taste of seafood, chicken, or vegetables.
This sauce is made by blending butter, lemon juice, cream, and seasonings to create a rich, creamy consistency. The Creamy Lemon Butter Sauce delivers bright citrus notes and a velvety finish, adding a touch of elegance to any plate.
Whether you’re serving it with pasta, fish, or roasted vegetables, this Creamy Lemon Butter Sauce is sure to elevate the flavor and bring sophistication to your meals.
Perfect for weeknight dinners or special occasions, the Creamy Lemon Butter Sauce is a versatile and simple recipe that everyone will love.
Ingredients
- 1 smashed garlic clove
- 1 cup white wine
- 1 cup cream
- 2 tbsp fresh lemon juice
- 4 tbsp cold butter
- Salt and pepper to taste
How to Make Creamy Lemon Butter Sauce
- Start with the Wine and Garlic: In a medium saucepan, combine the white wine and smashed garlic clove. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer over medium heat and let it reduce by half. This reduction intensifies the flavors, creating a rich and aromatic base for your sauce that’s simply irresistible.
- Add the Cream: Once the wine has reduced, reduce the heat to low and slowly stir in the cream. Allow it to simmer gently, stirring occasionally, until the sauce thickens. The cream adds a rich, velvety texture that perfectly balances the tangy acidity of the wine and lemon juice.
- Incorporate the Lemon Juice: Next, stir the fresh lemon juice into the saucepan. Its zesty flavor brightens the sauce, adding a refreshing tang that beautifully contrasts the richness of the cream and butter.
- Finish with Butter: Take the saucepan off the heat and slowly whisk in the cold butter, one tablespoon at a time. This step is essential for emulsifying the sauce, creating a silky-smooth texture. Season with salt and pepper to taste, adjusting the flavors to suit your preference.
Helpful Tips
- Consistent Stirring: Stir the sauce continuously as it simmers to prevent it from sticking to the pan and to achieve a smooth, lump-free texture.
- Use Cold Butter: Ensure your butter is cold before adding it to the sauce. This is key to creating a perfect emulsion and keeping the sauce from splitting.
- Taste and Adjust: Always taste your sauce before serving. Adjust the seasoning to ensure the flavors are balanced and just right.
Substitutions/Variations
- Wine Alternatives: If you prefer not to use wine, you can substitute it with chicken or vegetable broth. The flavor will shift slightly, but it’ll still be delicious!
- Garlic Variations: For a bolder garlic flavor, try using minced garlic instead of a smashed clove.
- Herb Infusion: Add a sprig of fresh thyme or rosemary while the wine is reducing for a fragrant, aromatic twist.
Conclusion
This creamy lemon butter sauce pairs beautifully with grilled or baked seafood, pasta, roasted vegetables, or even chicken. It also makes a great topping for potatoes or rice, adding a rich, tangy flavor to any meal. The creamy lemon butter sauce is perfect for adding a luxurious touch to your dishes.
In conclusion, the creamy lemon butter sauce is a versatile, easy-to-make recipe that brings a rich, tangy flavor to any dish. Whether you’re drizzling it over seafood, pasta, or vegetables, its smooth, velvety texture and bright lemon notes will elevate your meal to new heights. The creamy lemon butter sauce truly enhances the flavor of your favorite meals with ease.
With simple ingredients and a few easy steps, you can create a creamy lemon butter sauce that’s perfect for any occasion. Enjoy the luxurious, comforting flavors this sauce adds to your favorite dishes—your taste buds will thank you!
FAQ
What is butter sauce?
A butter sauce is a rich and creamy sauce primarily made with butter, often paired with ingredients like cream, wine, garlic, and lemon to enhance flavor. It’s commonly used to complement seafood, pasta, and vegetables, giving them a smooth and velvety texture.
Why did my lemon butter sauce break?
Your lemon butter sauce may have broken if the butter was added too quickly, or the heat was too high. To avoid this, add the butter gradually, one tablespoon at a time, while keeping the heat low. Also, ensure the butter is cold before adding it to the sauce to help it emulsify properly.
Does lemon break a cream sauce?
Yes, lemon can cause a cream sauce to break due to its acidity. If added too quickly or at too high a temperature, the lemon can cause the cream to curdle. To avoid this, add the lemon juice slowly while keeping the sauce at a low temperature.
Can I make this sauce ahead of time?
Yes, you can make this sauce ahead of time. Simply store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. When you’re ready to use it, gently reheat it over low heat, whisking to smooth out any separation.
Is this sauce gluten-free?
Yes, this lemon butter sauce is naturally gluten-free as it doesn’t contain any flour or gluten-based ingredients. Always check the labels of any store-bought ingredients, such as broth or seasonings, to ensure they are also gluten-free.
What dishes pair well with this sauce?
This creamy lemon butter sauce pairs beautifully with dishes like grilled or baked seafood (especially fish and shrimp), pasta, roasted vegetables, or even chicken. It also makes a great topping for potatoes or rice, adding a rich, tangy flavor to any meal.

Creamy Lemon Butter Sauce Recipe
- Total Time: 20 minutes
- Yield: Approximately 1 1/2 cups 1x
Description
This Creamy Lemon Butter Sauce is the perfect way to elevate your favorite dishes. With its rich, velvety texture and bright, zesty flavor, it pairs beautifully with chicken, fish, pasta, and vegetables. Whether you’re cooking for a special occasion or a simple family dinner, this sauce will add a touch of gourmet flair to your meal.
Ingredients
1 cup white wine
1 smashed garlic clove
1 cup cream
2 tbsp fresh lemon juice
4 tbsp cold butter
Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
Start with the Wine and Garlic: In a medium-sized saucepan, pour in the white wine and add the smashed garlic clove. Bring the mixture to a simmer over medium heat and let it reduce by half.
Add the Cream: Once the wine has reduced, lower the heat and slowly stir in the cream. Let it simmer gently, stirring occasionally, until the sauce begins to thicken.
Incorporate the Lemon Juice: Add the fresh lemon juice to the saucepan, stirring well to combine.
Finish with Butter: Remove the saucepan from the heat and gradually whisk in the cold butter, one tablespoon at a time. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
Notes
Consistent Stirring: Keep stirring the sauce as it simmers to prevent it from sticking to the pan and to ensure a smooth texture.
Cold Butter: Make sure your butter is cold before adding it to the sauce. This helps in achieving a perfect emulsion and prevents the sauce from splitting.
Tasting: Always taste your sauce before serving. Adjust the seasoning to make sure it’s just right.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Sauce
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: French
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 2 tablespoons
- Calories: 120
- Sugar: 1g
- Sodium: 30mg
- Fat: 12g
- Saturated Fat: 7g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 2g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 1g
- Cholesterol: 35mg
Keywords: White wine, cream, lemon juice, garlic, Spring onion