This easy Garlic Butter Sauce recipe is made with only 3 ingredients! Toss with pasta, dip in pizza, or slather it on corn on the cob.
Whenever we order pizza, we get a side of garlic butter sauce as well, if it is available. But sometimes it isn’t offered, or we grill pizzas and want something to dip it in. So I made this simple recipe to have on hand, and we use it often since it can be used in so many ways.
What You’ll Find In This Post
Garlic Butter Sauce Ingredients
Everyone loves a good dipping sauce but garlic and butter are an irresistible combination! Plus, with only three ingredients, it couldn’t be simpler.
- Butter: The main ingredient is salted butter. If you want to use unsalted butter, you can, but you’ll need to add extra salt to the sauce, or it won’t have enough flavor.
- Garlic: We love adding freshly minced garlic for the maximum flavor. But when we don’t have any on hand, garlic powder is a great substitute. For this recipe, use 1/2 teaspoon of garlic powder or more to taste. Roasted garlic is also a lovely alternative with a milder flavor.
- Salt: A little brings out the flavor. You can add more or less to taste.
How To Make Garlic Butter Sauce
Another bonus to making garlic butter sauce is that it only takes a few minutes to prepare! And if you have extra sauce, you can put it in the fridge for later.
Melt the butter in a saucepan over low heat.
Add the minced garlic and salt. Stir over low heat for one minute.
Remove from heat and allow the sauce to cool slightly before serving.
Variations
You can use this sauce as is or add more ingredients to make endless variations! Here are some popular ways to adapt the sauce:
Cajun Butter Sauce
With just a couple of additional ingredients, you can turn garlic butter sauce into cajun butter sauce. After removing the sauce from the heat, whisk in one tablespoon of cajun seasoning, one tablespoon of lemon juice, and a teaspoon of hot sauce. Cajun butter sauce pairs well with seafood, chicken, pasta, and vegetables.
Garlic and Herb Sauce
Bring this classic sauce to the next level by adding herbs! Whisk in one teaspoon each of parsley, basil, and oregano plus 1/4 teaspoon of thyme. Or make it easy and simply add 1 1/4 teaspoons of Italian seasoning. If you want to use fresh herbs, you will need to add three times as much as the dried herbs.
Lemon Garlic Butter Sauce
Lemon garlic butter sauce can be used on pasta, fish, chicken, and veggies. All you need to do is add two tablespoons of freshly squeezed lemon juice and one teaspoon of dried parsley to the sauce after removing it from the heat.
Make Ahead and Storage
- Make Ahead: You can make garlic butter sauce ahead of time! Store in the fridge and heat it up when you are ready to serve.
- Refrigerator: Store leftovers in an airtight, sealed container in the refrigerator for 4-5 days.
- Freezer: You can store it in a freezer-safe, airtight container in the freezer for up to three months.
- Reheating: Reheat garlic butter sauce on low in the microwave or in a saucepan over low heat until
What Others Want To Know About This Recipe
When properly stored, it will last for up to five days in the refrigerator and up to three months in the freezer.
Yes, you can use garlic powder instead of minced garlic. Use 1/8 teaspoon of garlic powder for a medium clove of garlic.
Yes, you can use jarred garlic in a pinch, but for the best flavor, we suggest using freshly minced garlic.
Ways to Use Garlic Butter Sauce
- Drizzle it over roasted vegetables such as broccoli, asparagus, and boiled corn on the cob.
- Use it as a dipping sauce for pizza, garlic parmesan chicken tenders, and focaccia bread.
- Add to your favorite pasta, such as spaghetti, tortellini, ravioli, or even spaghetti squash.
- Brush it on oven-baked chicken breasts, grilled burgers, pan-fried steak, air fryer pork chops, or seafood.
Garlic Butter Sauce
Ingredients
- ½ cup butter
- 4 cloves garlic finely minced
- 1 teaspoon sea salt
Instructions
- Melt the butter in a saucepan over low heat.
- Add the garlic and sea salt.
- Cook and stir over low heat for 2 minutes.
- Remove from heat and cool before using.
Video
Notes
Make Ahead and Storage
- Make Ahead: You can make garlic butter sauce ahead of time! Store in the fridge and heat it up when you are ready to serve.
- Refrigerator: Store leftovers in an airtight, sealed container in the refrigerator for 4-5 days.
- Freezer: You can store it in a freezer-safe, airtight container in the freezer for up to three months.
- Reheating: Reheat garlic butter sauce on low in the microwave or in a saucepan over low heat until
Turning the Clock Back says
I love a good crusty bread with yummy spreads and a glass of wine! hungry now…
Coryanne Ettiene | Housewife Bliss says
I am with everyone on this…bread and soft cheese, divine!
Someday I'll Learn says
This looks SO good. I need a bigger KitchenAid!
Glenda says
Tonia, what a simple way to create something delicious and satisfying! The bread is gorgeous and the spread sounds amazing!
Comiendo en LA says
Fabulous idea!! Looks yummy!!
Mommy Hates Cooking says
Looks delicious!!
Rachel {BubblyNatureCreations.com} says
To. Die. For.!!! This looks so yummy!!! love it!!!
Lindsey says
Oh. My. Yum. This looks like something I could eat just about every day. I can’t wait to try it. Garlic is one of those things on my top of lists.
Jennifer @ Delightfully Noted says
Yep, love bread. I am a carb girl all the way (wish I wasn’t but I am!)This spread looks AMAZING! Here I go pinning one of your recipes again…hehe
Robin @ Blommi says
Great appetizer/side for Easter dinner. It looks so yummy, that I want to go make some now 🙂
Justine says
You have been awarded the Versatile Blogger Award. Stop by my blog to collect your award. http://queenofsavings.com/?p=3780JustineQueen of Savings
Lindsay says
This looks amazing! I would love to make some for a fun little side. Thanks for sharing!
Danni Baird @ Silo Hill Farm says
Oh that looks delicious! And easy! Thanks for sharing it!
KAT says
that is so great looking and I know it must be scrumptious !-KAT-
Amy @ As The Bunny Hops says
That looks totally yummy…it has all of my favorite things! 🙂 Will definitely have to try it out. (Plus, any excuse to use the mixer!)
Stephanie @ henry happened says
I love a simple dinner like that – bread, cheese, wine. Gosh, can’t wait till I can have wine again!!
Jesika says
That looks so great. I pinned it for future use 🙂
{Adventuresindinner} says
Seriously delicious looking spread and that bowl is adorable! I’m a sucker for a great bowl.
Sara @ Mom Endeavors says
Seriously, so yum! And, I’m still cracking up at how “great minds think alike”! 🙂 Yours looks delicious too! I’m going to use some of our leftover spread for dinner tonight. MMmmm!
Kelly @ Live Laugh Rowe says
Looks delish :)I’m a fellow Egg Hunter from It’s Overflowing. Wanted to say hi and let you know that I loved your eggs.New GFC Follower. Have a great day!!Cheers!Kelly
sherri lynn says
Oh this spread on bread sounds AMAZING! I love having a yummy bread with dinner!
Bliss says
Bread. Dips. Cheese. A bread dip with cheese? Yeah, I’m all over this one!~Bliss~