• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
Pinch and Swirl
  • Home
  • Recipes
  • Collections
  • About
  • Free Recipe EBook
  • My Saved Recipes
menu icon
go to homepage
subscribe
search icon
Homepage link
  • Home
  • Recipes
  • Collections
  • About
  • Free Recipe EBook
  • My Saved Recipes
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • YouTube
  • ×

    Recipes » Side Dish

    Garlic Butter Sauce

    Published: Jan 23, 2023 · Modified: Feb 12, 2023 by Marissa Stevens · 4 Comments

    Gluten FreeLow CarbVegetarian

    This post may contain affiliate links.

    Jump to Recipe

    Homemade Garlic Butter Sauce elevates everything it touches. Made in less than 10 minutes with 4 simple ingredients that you probably have on hand, it's a sauce that should be a staple in your kitchen.

    Garlic Butter Sauce served in a white bowl and photographed from above.

    You'll find that this fragrant, buttery sauce is exceptionally versatile. Drizzle it over mashed potatoes, steamed or grilled vegetables, seared or grilled meats, or serve it as a dipping sauce for seafood. Brush it onto bread or pizza crust or enjoy as a simple sauce for pasta. 

    Jump to:
    • Ingredients You Need to Make Garlic Butter Sauce
    • Recipe Options
    • How to Store and Reheat
    • How to Serve
    • How to Make Garlic Butter Sauce
    • Garlic Butter Sauce
    • 💬 Comments

    Ingredients You Need to Make Garlic Butter Sauce

    Garlic Butter Sauce Ingredients on a white marble board.
    • Butter: salted butter or unsalted butter (ideally high fat, European-style butter to minimize water and milk solids)
    • Garlic: look for plump, fresh cloves of garlic with smooth outer skin without discoloring
    • Kosher Salt: or fine sea salt
    • Fresh Parsley: ideally flat leaf parsley / Italian parsley

    Recipe Options

    Though this simple garlic butter sauce recipe is delicious as is, there are many ways to embellish it. Here are some ideas:

    • Stir in fresh herbs like minced rosemary, thyme or chives to make a garlic herb butter sauce. (If you're a dill lover, try my Garlic Butter Sauce for Seafood.)
    • Add fresh lemon juice to make Lemon Garlic Butter Sauce.
    • Swirl in a pinch or more of crushed red pepper flakes or freshly ground black pepper for a spicy kick.

    How to Store and Reheat

    It's easy to double or even triple this recipe so you'll always have it on hand. Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days and will reheat beautifully in a skillet or small pan over low heat. Or freeze individual portions for up to 3 months (ice cube trays work well for this). No need to thaw before reheating over low heat.

    How to Serve

    • Drizzle over Bacon Wrapped Scallops or Bacon Wrapped Shrimp for added layer of decadence.
    • Spoon over Slow Roasted Salmon or Grilled Swordfish
    • Toss with your favorite pasta to make Garlic Butter Noodles.
    • Drizzle over tender green beans to make Garlic Butter Green Beans.

    How to Make Garlic Butter Sauce

    Cook and stir minced garlic in sizzling butter until fragrant and tender. Remove from heat; stir in parsley and serve. 

    cooking garlic in butter and olive oil in skillet.
    Garlic Butter Sauce served in a white bowl and photographed from above.
    Garlic Butter Sauce served in a white bowl and photographed from above.

    Garlic Butter Sauce

    Marissa Stevens
    Made in less than 10 minutes with 4 simple ingredients, this versatile sauce is a kitchen staple.
    5 from 2 votes
    Save Recipe Saved! Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 5 mins
    Cook Time 2 mins
    Total Time 7 mins
    Course Condiment
    Cuisine American
    Servings 8 tablespoons
    Calories 104 kcal

    Ingredients
      

    • 8 tablespoons butter
    • 6 large garlic cloves minced
    • kosher salt to taste
    • 1 tablespoons minced fresh parsley

    Instructions
     

    • Heat butter in a small saucepan or skillet over medium heat until sizzling. Add minced garlic; cook and stir until tender and mellowed to your liking, 1 to 2 minutes (reduce heat if it starts to brown). Remove from heat and stir in parsley. Season with salt to taste and serve.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 104kcalCarbohydrates: 1gProtein: 0.3gFat: 11gSaturated Fat: 7gPolyunsaturated Fat: 0.4gMonounsaturated Fat: 3gTrans Fat: 0.5gCholesterol: 30mgSodium: 91mgPotassium: 15mgFiber: 0.1gSugar: 0.04gVitamin A: 392IUVitamin C: 1mgCalcium: 8mgIron: 0.1mg
    Keyword easy
    Tried this recipe?I'd love to see it! Tag me on Instagram at @pinchandswirl or leave me a comment and rating below.

    More Side Dishes

    • Lyonnaise Potatoes served on a white oval platter
      Lyonnaise Potatoes
    • Garlic Butter Mushrooms served in a white bowl.
      Garlic Butter Mushrooms
    • Roasted Potatoes and Brussels Sprouts served in a white bowl and photographed from above.
      Roasted Potatoes and Brussels Sprouts
    • Garlic Butter Sauce for Seafood served in a white bowl and photographed from the top.
      Garlic Butter Sauce for Seafood

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

      Leave a Comment Cancel reply

      Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

      Recipe Rating




    1. Stephanie says

      February 10, 2023 at 7:15 am

      5 stars
      This is a wonderfully versatile recipe, and delicious, too! Great on pasta, meat, and vegetables.
      I really appreciate your lovely recipes.

      Reply
      • Marissa Stevens says

        February 10, 2023 at 8:52 am

        Thanks so much for your kind words, Stephanie. I'm so glad you're enjoying the recipe!

        Reply
    2. David Kozinski says

      January 27, 2023 at 8:35 am

      5 stars
      Love this with Grilled salmon roasted red skinned potato's.

      Reply
      • Marissa Stevens says

        January 27, 2023 at 11:26 am

        Perfect pairing, David!

        Reply

    Primary Sidebar

    The best food happens at home. I love delicious food prepared simply with fresh ingredients and that’s just what you’ll find here! You can count on me for well tested, mouthwatering recipes designed for home cooks. Learn more →

    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • YouTube
    • Facebook
    12 Recipes to Know by Heart Book Cover
    Subscribe for Free E-Cookbook

    Reader Favorites

    • Oven Roasted Crispy Pork Belly
    • lemon garlic pasta served in a white bowl
      Lemon Garlic Pasta
    • Bacon Wrapped Scallops
    • Homemade Ramen Noodles
    • Homemade Tonic Water
    • Shrimp Tacos served on a white oval platter with extra sauce on the side.
      Shrimp Tacos
    • Mashed Red Potatoes photographed from above featured
      Mashed Red Potatoes
    • gyro served on a black plate
      Gyro Meat Recipe
    • Pork Belly Ramen
    • Grilled Lamb Chops

    Footer

    ↑ back to top

    About

    • Privacy Policy
    • Terms & Conditions

    Newsletter

    • Sign Up!

    Contact

    • Meet Marissa
    • Contact

    Copyright © 2022 PinchandSwirl

    • Facebook
    • Pinterest
    • Email