Garlic butter sauce for seafood is a rich and flavorful sauce made with butter, garlic, and other complementary ingredients that are typically used to enhance the flavour of seafood dishes.
It is a popular sauce that can be used to complement a variety of seafood, including shrimp, lobster, crab, and fish.
Melting butter in a pot over low heat, adding minced garlic, and simmering until aromatic makes a seafood garlic butter sauce recipe.
To blend tastes, add lemon juice and additional herbs and spices and cook for a few minutes. The sauce is then poured or dipped in overcooked seafood. Its deep, savory flavor makes it a favorite among seafood lovers.
How To Make Garlic butter sauce for Seafood
Imagine a juicy lobster tail in a creamy, garlicky sauce with a dash of lemon and fresh parsley. Or tender prawns in a garlicky butter sauce. I’m drooling!
It’s about flavor and experience. Garlic butter sauce with fish often impresses at dinner parties, family gatherings, and romantic evenings for two. As the sauce simmers, the fish sizzles and my guests’ faces light up as they take their first bite—it’s culinary magic.
I’ll show you how to make seafood garlic butter sauce, along with variants, serving suggestions, and FAQs.
Garlic butter sauce for seafood Ingredients
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley
- 1/2 teaspoon salt (or to taste)
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper (or to taste)
Step by Step Instructions Garlic butter sauce for seafood
Step 1: Melt the butter
Start by melting the butter in a small saucepan over low heat. You want to melt the butter slowly to avoid browning or burning it.
Step 2: Add the minced garlic
Once the butter has melted, add the minced garlic to the saucepan. Stir the garlic into the butter and let it cook for 1-2 minutes, or until fragrant. Be careful not to let the garlic burn, as it can turn bitter.
Step 3: Add lemon juice and herbs
Next, add the freshly squeezed lemon juice and chopped fresh parsley to the saucepan.
The lemon juice adds a tangy brightness to the sauce, while the parsley adds a fresh and aromatic flavor.
Stir the ingredients together and let the sauce simmer for another minute to allow the flavors to meld.
Step 4: Season with salt and pepper
After the sauce has simmered for a minute, season it with salt and pepper to taste.
Start with a small amount of salt and pepper, and adjust to your preference. Remember that seafood can be naturally salty, so be careful not to over-season the sauce.
Step 5: Serve and enjoy!
Once the garlic butter sauce is seasoned to your liking, remove the saucepan from the heat.
The sauce is now ready to be drizzled over your cooked seafood or used as a dipping sauce.
Spoon the sauce generously over your seafood, and savor the delicious flavors of the garlic butter sauce as it enhances the natural sweetness and succulence of the seafood.
Can I use minced garlic from a jar instead of fresh garlic?
While fresh garlic is preferred for its robust flavor, you can use minced garlic from a jar as a substitute. However, keep in mind that the flavor may not be as intense as using fresh garlic. Adjust the amount to your preference and taste as you go to ensure the desired level of garlic flavor.
Can I customize the herbs and spices in garlic butter sauce?
Yes, you can customize the herbs and spices in garlic butter sauce according to your preference. Apart from parsley, you can use other herbs such as thyme, chives, or cilantro. You can also add additional spices like paprika, red pepper flakes, or even a pinch of cayenne pepper for a hint of heat. Experiment with different herbs and spices to create your own signature garlic butter sauce.
Can I use margarine or a butter substitute instead of butter?
While butter is the traditional choice for garlic butter sauce, you can use margarine or a butter substitute if you prefer. However, keep in mind that the flavor and texture may differ from using real butter, and the sauce may not be as rich or creamy. If using a butter substitute, choose one with similar fat content to butter for the best results.
Why is my garlic sauce watery?
Garlic sauce may become watery if it is overheated or overcooked, causing the butter to separate and release water.
What makes butter sauce thick?
Butter sauce can be thickened by using less liquid, such as reducing the amount of broth or wine, or by adding a thickening agent such as flour, cornstarch, or cream. Cooking the sauce for a longer time can also help to thicken it as the liquid reduces and the flavors intensify.
Serving Garlic Butter Sauce With Seafood
sprinkle: I like to heavily sprinkle garlic butter sauce over cooked seafood. The rich, aromatic sauce enhances the inherent sweetness of prawns, lobster, crab, or fish.
Dip: Garlic butter sauce is great for dipping. The sauce goes in a little bowl next to my fish. So I can savor each taste of exquisite seafood dipped in the creamy, buttery sauce.
Pour: To uniformly cover seafood pasta, I often toss it with garlic butter sauce. This makes a delicious and sumptuous pasta dish. I add my cooked seafood and chopped parsley for freshness.
Garnish: Before serving, I add fresh parsley to the garlic butter sauce and seafood. Parsley’s vivid green color and grassy flavor lend freshness and beauty to the dish.
Presentation: I serve the seafood and garlic butter sauce on a platter or separate plates to enhance the presentation. This helps the dish look more elegant, and excellent for special occasions or entertaining guests.
How to Store Homemade Garlic Butter Sauce for Seafood
Cool it down: After making the garlic butter sauce, allow it to cool down to room temperature before storing it. This prevents condensation and helps maintain the sauce’s consistency and flavor.
Transfer to an airtight container: Once the sauce has cooled down, transfer it to a clean, airtight container. Glass jars or containers with tight-fitting lids are ideal for storing sauces.
Label and date: Don’t forget to label the container with the contents and the date of preparation. This helps you keep track of the sauce’s freshness and ensures you use it within a reasonable timeframe.
Store in the refrigerator: Garlic butter sauce should be stored in the refrigerator to keep it fresh. Place the container in the refrigerator’s main section, away from any strong-smelling foods that may affect the sauce’s flavor.
Use within a week: Homemade garlic butter sauce is best used within a week of preparation for optimal flavor and quality. Discard any leftovers that have been stored for longer than a week.
Reheat before use: When you’re ready to use the sauce again, remove it from the refrigerator and allow it to come to room temperature for a few minutes.
Then, gently reheat the sauce in a saucepan over low heat, stirring occasionally until it’s warmed through. Avoid overheating or boiling the sauce, as this may cause it to separate or lose its texture.
Amazing Garlic butter sauce for seafood
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter
- 4 cloves garlic minced
- 2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley
- 1/2 teaspoon salt or to taste
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper or to taste
Instructions
Step 1: Melt the butter
- Start by melting the butter in a small saucepan over low heat. You want to melt the butter slowly to avoid browning or burning it.
Step 2: Add the minced garlic
- Once the butter has melted, add the minced garlic to the saucepan. Stir the garlic into the butter and let it cook for 1-2 minutes, or until fragrant. Be careful not to let the garlic burn, as it can turn bitter.
Step 3: Add lemon juice and herbs
- Next, add the freshly squeezed lemon juice and chopped fresh parsley to the saucepan. The lemon juice adds a tangy brightness to the sauce, while the parsley adds a fresh and aromatic flavor. Stir the ingredients together and let the sauce simmer for another minute to allow the flavors to meld.
Step 4: Season with salt and pepper
- After the sauce has simmered for a minute, season it with salt and pepper to taste. Start with a small amount of salt and pepper, and adjust to your preference. Remember that seafood can be naturally salty, so be careful not to over-season the sauce.
Step 5: Serve and enjoy!
- Once the garlic butter sauce is seasoned to your liking, remove the saucepan from the heat. The sauce is now ready to be drizzled over your cooked seafood or used as a dipping sauce. Spoon the sauce generously over your seafood, and savor the delicious flavors of the garlic butter sauce as it enhances the natural sweetness and succulence of the seafood.
