Lemon Garlic Butter Sauce

Why You’ll Love This Lemon Garlic Butter Sauce

• This recipe uses a seafood stock which will deepen the flavor and makes it perfect for seafood recipes.
• It uses unsalted butter so you can control the salt level.
• The fresh lemon juice adds brightness without overpowering the sauce.
• It works beautifully for fish, shrimp scampi, thin fillets, chicken breast, or tossed with your favorite pasta.
• It feels gourmet but takes less than 15 minutes.

Ingredients

Here’s exactly what you’ll need and what each ingredient brings to this garlic butter lemon sauce:

• 2 sticks unsalted butter – The base of the sauce, creating a rich, silky, melted butter foundation.
• 4 tablespoons minced garlic – Adds bold, aromatic depth and classic garlic sauce flavor.
• 1 shallot, finely minced – Brings subtle sweetness and complexity.
• 1 tablespoon fresh parsley – Adds freshness and color at the end.
• ¼ tsp Smoked paprika (to taste) – Gives a gentle smoky warmth.
• 1 teaspoon onion powder – Enhances savory notes.
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder – Reinforces the garlic flavor.
• 1 teaspoon Old Bay seasoning – Adds classic seafood seasoning.
• 1 teaspoon Sazon Complete – Boosts overall flavor and seasoning balance.
• 1/2 teaspoon Cajun seasoning – Adds a mild kick and depth.
• 3 tablespoons seafood stock – Intensifies seafood flavor and creates a more cohesive lemon sauce.
• Juice from 1 fresh lemon – Adds brightness and acidity.
• Salt and black pepper, to taste – Balances everything perfectly.

How to Make Garlic Lemon Butter Sauce

This lemon butter sauce comes together in just two easy steps:

Step 1: Build the Flavor Base – Place a small saucepan over medium heat and gently melt the butter. Add the minced shallot and sauté until translucent and soft. Stir in the minced garlic and cook just until fragrant, being careful not to let it brown.

Step 2: Finish and Brighten – Add the smoked paprika, onion powder, garlic powder, Old Bay, Cajun seasoning, and Sazon Complete. Stir well so the seasonings bloom in the butter and release their full flavor. Pour in the seafood stock and allow the sauce to simmer briefly so everything melds together. Turn off the heat, then squeeze in the fresh lemon juice and stir to combine. Taste and adjust with salt and black pepper if needed. Garnish with fresh parsley and serve warm.

Storage & Freezing Tips

• Store leftover sauce in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
• Reheat gently over low heat to prevent separation.
• You can freeze it for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge and reheat slowly.
• If the butter separates, whisk gently over low heat to restore the texture.

How To Use Lemon Garlic Butter Sauce

This versatile sauce pairs beautifully with:

• Pan Seared Shrimp
• Lobster tails
• Broccolini
• Shrimp Scampi
• Serve as a creative dip at a Fondue Dinner Party

FAQ:

Recipe Card:

Cook ModePrevent your screen from going dark

Lemon Garlic Butter Sauce

Ebony Robinson

This lemon garlic butter sauce is rich, vibrant, and layered with bold flavor from fresh garlic, bright lemon juice, seafood stock, and warm spices. It’s a versatile sauce that transforms seafood, pasta, or chicken into a restaurant-worthy meal in just minutes.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe Save Saved!

Prep Time 5 minutes mins

Cook Time 10 minutes mins

Total Time 15 minutes mins

Course Sauce

Cuisine American

Servings 6

Calories 287 kcal

Ingredients

  

1x2x3x

• 2 sticks Butter
• 4 tbsp Garlic minced
• 1 Shallot minced
• 1 tbsp Fresh Parsley chopped
• ¼ tsp Smoked Paprika
• 1 tsp Onion Powder
• 1 tsp Garlic Powder
• 1 tsp Old Bay Seasoning
• 1 tsp Sazon Complete
• ½ tsp Cajun Seasoning
• 3 tbsp Seafood Stock
• 1 Lemon juiced, seeds removed
• salt and pepper to taste optional

Get Recipe Ingredients

Instructions

 

• Place a small saucepan over medium heat and gently melt the butter. Add the minced shallot and sauté until translucent and soft. Stir in the minced garlic and cook just until fragrant, being careful not to let it brown.
• Add the smoked paprika, onion powder, garlic powder, Old Bay, Cajun seasoning, and Sazon Complete. Stir well so the seasonings bloom in the butter and release their full flavor. Pour in the seafood stock and allow the sauce to simmer briefly so everything melds together. Turn off the heat, then squeeze in the fresh lemon juice and stir to combine. Taste and adjust with salt and black pepper if needed. Garnish with fresh parsley and serve warm.

Notes

Substitutions & Variations

• No seafood stock? Substitute chicken stock or chicken broth.
• Want a creamy texture? Add a splash of heavy cream and a sprinkle of parmesan cheese for a creamy sauce.
• Add white wine before the stock for a more classic shrimp scampi flavor.
• Use olive oil and reduce butter slightly for a lighter version.
• Add lemon zest for an even brighter citrus flavor.
• Make it spicy by increasing Cajun seasoning.

This butter lemon garlic sauce is flexible and adapts to different ways of cooking.

Nutrition

Calories: 287kcalCarbohydrates: 4gProtein: 1gFat: 31gSaturated Fat: 19gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 8gTrans Fat: 1gCholesterol: 81mgSodium: 328mgPotassium: 72mgFiber: 0.5gSugar: 1gVitamin A: 1130IUVitamin C: 3mgCalcium: 29mgIron: 0.4mg

Did you love this recipe?Let us know how it was below or tag @elicitfolio on IG!

Craving More?

If you make this lemon garlic butter sauce, I would love to see how you use it. Tag me on Instagram at @elicitfolio, follow along on Pinterest, or leave a comment below and tell me what recipe you’d love to see me create next using this sauce.