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Creamy Lemon Butter Sauce Recipe

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4.2 from 15 reviews

This creamy lemon butter sauce is a luscious and tangy accompaniment perfect for seafood, chicken, or vegetables. Made by reducing white wine and cream, then enriched with fresh lemon juice and cold butter, it offers a rich, velvety texture and bright citrus notes. Quick and easy to prepare, it elevates any dish with its smooth and flavorful profile.

  • Author: Chef
  • Prep Time: 5 minutes
  • Cook Time: 20 minutes
  • Total Time: 25 minutes
  • Yield: 8 servings
  • Category: Sauce
  • Method: Stovetop
  • Cuisine: French-inspired
  • Diet: Halal

Ingredients

Liquids & Dairy

  • 1 cup white wine
  • 1 cup cream
  • 2 tbsp fresh lemon juice
  • 4 tbsp cold butter

Other Ingredients

  • 1 garlic clove (smashed)
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

  1. Simmer the Wine and Garlic: Pour the white wine into a saucepan and add a smashed garlic clove. Set the pan over medium heat and bring to a simmer. Allow the liquid to reduce by half, which will take about 10 minutes. This concentrates the flavor and infuses the sauce with garlic aroma.
  2. Add and Reduce Cream: Whisk in the cream and continue to simmer the mixture, whisking regularly. Reduce until the cream thickens and coats the back of a spoon easily, ensuring a rich and creamy base for the sauce.
  3. Incorporate Lemon Juice: Stir in the fresh lemon juice and cook while whisking for another 1-2 minutes. This adds a bright and refreshing acidity balancing the richness.
  4. Emulsify Butter Off Heat: Remove the pan from heat. Whisk in the cold butter, adding one cube at a time until it fully emulsifies into the sauce. Adding butter off the heat prevents the sauce from splitting and ensures a smooth texture.
  5. Season and Serve: Taste the sauce and season with salt and pepper to your preference. Serve immediately with your chosen dish to enjoy the creamy, tangy flavors at their best.

Notes

  • Use cold butter to prevent the sauce from separating and to achieve a smooth, velvety consistency.
  • Opt for a dry white wine like Sauvignon Blanc or Pinot Grigio for best flavor results.
  • Continuous whisking during cream reduction helps avoid burning and promotes even thickening.
  • This sauce pairs beautifully with grilled fish, roasted chicken, steamed vegetables, or pasta dishes.
  • For a dairy-free version, substitute cream and butter with coconut cream and a dairy-free butter alternative, though the flavor and texture will differ.