If you love restaurant-quality sauces at home, Carrabba’s Lemon Butter Sauce is a must-try. Bursting with fresh lemon flavor, aromatic garlic, and buttery richness, this sauce elevates any meal in minutes. It’s quick, simple, and perfect for home cooks and cocktail enthusiasts alike.
Imagine pairing this sauce with seafood or chicken while sipping a refreshing drink — whether a Jackberry Margarita Recipe, a tequila whiskey margarita, or a blackberry margarita, the citrus notes in the sauce complement the drinks beautifully.
This easy-to-make sauce brings a restaurant-style elegance to your dinner table without complicated steps or hard-to-find ingredients.
What is Carrabba’s Lemon Butter Sauce Recipe?
Carrabba’s Lemon Butter Sauce is a smooth, creamy sauce with a bright citrus twist. Its base is clarified butter combined with fresh lemon juice, sautéed onion, and garlic. A splash of dry white wine adds depth, and small pieces of cold butter create a velvety texture. Some recipes add parsley for color and freshness, making it visually appealing as well as flavorful.
Unlike heavier cream sauces, this recipe emphasizes freshness and balance. The result is a light yet indulgent sauce that enhances chicken, fish, pasta, and even vegetable dishes.
Why You Will Love This Recipe
- Quick & Easy: Ready in just 10–15 minutes, perfect for weeknight meals.
- Restaurant-Quality Flavor: Impress guests without complicated techniques.
- Versatile: Perfect for chicken, seafood, pasta, and vegetables.
- Fresh & Light: Lemon juice brightens the sauce, while butter adds richness.
This sauce proves you don’t need a professional kitchen to enjoy gourmet flavors.
eQuipments
To prepare Carrabba’s Lemon Butter Sauce, you’ll need:
- Large nonstick skillet
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Knife and cutting board
- Wooden spoon or silicone spatula
- Small bowl for cutting butter
Optional: parsley chopper for garnish.
Ingredients
- 3 tbsp Trader Joe’s clarified butter (or any high-quality clarified butter)
- 3 tbsp finely chopped white onion
- 3 tbsp finely chopped garlic
- ½ cup fresh lemon juice
- 3 tbsp Iberia dry white wine (or any dry white wine)
- 3 tbsp cold unsalted butter, cut into ½-inch pieces
- Sea salt, to taste
- White pepper, to taste
- Chopped parsley (optional, for garnish)
Instructions
- Heat 3 tablespoons of clarified butter in a large nonstick skillet over medium heat.
- Add the finely chopped onion and garlic, cooking until translucent (about 4–5 minutes).
- Pour in white wine and fresh lemon juice, simmering for 4–5 minutes to slightly reduce the liquid.
- Gradually add cold butter pieces, stirring until fully melted to create a smooth, creamy texture.
- Season with sea salt and white pepper to taste, then turn off the heat.
- Add chopped parsley for freshness and color, if desired.
- Serve immediately or let sit at room temperature for up to an hour.
Our Other Recipes:
Notes
- Use fresh lemon juice for the brightest flavor; bottled juice may taste dull.
- Add butter slowly while whisking to ensure the sauce doesn’t separate.
- Cook onions and garlic until just translucent, not browned.
Variations
- Extra Garlic Lemon Butter Sauce: Increase garlic for a stronger flavor.
- Wine-Free Version: Replace white wine with chicken broth.
- Herb-Infused: Add thyme, oregano, or rosemary for aromatic complexity.
- Spicy Lemon Butter Sauce: Add a pinch of red chili flakes.
Tips
- Cut butter into small pieces for easy melting.
- Stir continuously to maintain a creamy texture.
- Use a nonstick skillet to prevent burning.
- Serve warm; do not refrigerate immediately as butter may solidify.
Our Other Recipes:
What to Serve With Carrabba’s Lemon Butter Sauce?
- Seafood: Grilled salmon, shrimp, scallops, or white fish
- Chicken: Pan-seared or baked chicken breast
- Pasta: Linguine, fettuccine, or angel hair tossed with the sauce
- Vegetables: Steamed or roasted asparagus, broccoli, or green beans
How to Store Carrabba’s Lemon Butter Sauce?
- Refrigerate in an airtight container for up to 2 days.
- Reheat gently over low heat; avoid boiling to prevent separation.
- Can be frozen up to a month, though texture may slightly change.
Our Other Drink Recipes:
Carrabba’s Lemon Butter Sauce
Equipment & Tools
- Large nonstick skillet
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Knife and cutting board
- Wooden spoon or silicone spatula
- Small bowl for cutting butter
Ingredients
- 3 tbsp rader Joe's clarified butter
- 3 tbsp finely chopped white onion
- 3 tbsp finely chopped garlic
- ½ cup fresh lemon juice
- 3 tbsp Iberia dry white wine
- 3 tbsp cold unsalted butter, cut into ½-inch pieces
- Sea salt, to taste
- White pepper, to taste
- Chopped parsley (optional, for garnish)
Instructions
- Heat 3 tablespoons of clarified butter in a large nonstick skillet over medium heat.
- Add the finely chopped onion and garlic, cooking until translucent (about 4–5 minutes).
- Pour in white wine and fresh lemon juice, simmering for 4–5 minutes to slightly reduce the liquid.
- Gradually add cold butter pieces, stirring until fully melted to create a smooth, creamy texture.
- Season with sea salt and white pepper to taste, then turn off the heat.
- Add chopped parsley for freshness and color, if desired.
- Serve immediately or let sit at room temperature for up to an hour.
Notes
- Use fresh lemon juice for the brightest flavor; bottled juice may taste dull.
- Add butter slowly while whisking to ensure the sauce doesn’t separate.
- Cook onions and garlic until just translucent, not browned.
Nutrition
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I make this sauce ahead of time?
Yes, but it’s best fresh. If storing, keep it in the fridge for up to 2 days and reheat gently.
Can I use bottled lemon juice?
Fresh lemon juice is recommended for a brighter, fresher flavor.
What if my sauce separates?
Remove from heat and whisk in a little warm water or more butter gradually to bring it back together.
Can I use salted butter instead of unsalted?
Yes, but reduce added sea salt to taste.
Is this sauce gluten-free?
Yes, all ingredients in this recipe are naturally gluten-free.
Carrabba’s Lemon Butter Sauce is a simple, elegant, and versatile addition to your kitchen. Its fresh lemon flavor, aromatic garlic, and velvety butter make it ideal for seafood, chicken, pasta, and vegetables.
For home cooks and cocktail lovers, it pairs beautifully with drinks like Jackberry Margarita Recipe, tequila whiskey margarita, or blackberry margarita. In just 10–15 minutes, you can enjoy a restaurant-quality sauce that impresses both family and guests.
