This post may include affiliate links. Thank you for your support.

Indulge in the perfect pairing and dive into a world of seafood perfection with this tantalizing Garlic Butter Seafood Sauce. With the ideal balance of creamy butter, aromatic garlic, tangy lemon, and fresh herbs, this seafood butter will transform ordinary fish and shellfish recipes into extraordinary dining experiences that will leave your taste buds craving more!

Table of Contents

About this butter garlic sauce for seafood

Calling all seafood lovers! If you’re looking for the most deliciously aromatic companion for everything from succulent shrimp to luxurious lobster and flaky white fish, look no further than this seafood butter sauce!

This garlic and butter sauce for seafood is a delectable blend of melt-in-your-mouth flavors. Imagine a symphony of rich, buttery goodness perfectly balanced by the aromatic intensity of fresh garlic, the bright acidity of lemon, and the herbaceous freshness of Italian parsley. Velvety in texture with a depth of gourmet, savory flavors, this sauce will perfectly cling to every bite of your favorite seafood fare.

Versatilely delicious with a restaurant-quality taste, this sauce is the key to unlocking the full potential of your favorite ocean fare. With this easy-to-follow recipe, you’ll be crafting the ultimate seafood butter sauce that will leave your taste buds dancing in delight!

Why you’ll love this recipe

  • Quick and easy: This seafood butter recipe takes only 10 minutes to prepare, making it perfect for busy home cooks looking for a fast but flavorful butter sauce.
  • Simple ingredients: You only need 4 common ingredients that most people already have in their kitchen, eliminating the need for a special grocery trip.
  • Versatility: Embark on a flavor-packed seafood journey with this butter garlic sauce recipe! Endlessly versatile, you can use it a wide variety of dishes, including seafood, pasta, vegetables, meats, and even as a dipping sauce.
  • Customizable: This offers easy variations and options to adjust the flavors to personal preferences, such as adding different herbs, spices, or even grated cheeses. That way you can create a restaurant-quality butter sauce that suits your specific taste buds.

Ingredients for seafood garlic butter sauce

  • Unsalted Butter: Opt for high-quality unsalted butter so you can control the salt content. And if you’re looking for the most luxurious taste, be sure to use European-style butter.
  • Garlic: One to two fresh garlic cloves lends robust flavor and beautiful aroma to the butter sauce. Choose firm garlic bulbs with tight cloves for the freshest taste. And be sure to mince or grate the garlic, instead of using that stuff in a jar for the best flavor. If you’re looking for a mild garlic flavor, use just one clove; for more robust flavor, use two cloves.
  • Lemon Juice: Freshly squeezed lemon juice provides a bright acidity that balances the richness of the butter sauce. If you’re looking for a bright lemon flavor, be sure to use the lemon zest too.
  • Parsley: Fresh flat-leaf Italian parsley provides herbaceous notes and freshness to the garlic butter. Feel free to play around with various fresh herbs to create a seafood garlic butter you love.
  • Kosher Salt and Ground Black Pepper: You’ll need kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper to enhance all the delicious flavors of the butter sauce.

Recipe variations

  • Caper Garlic Butter Sauce: Enhance the classic garlic butter sauce by adding 1 tablespoon of finely chopped capers for a tangy and briny flavor profile.
  • Anchovy Butter Seafood Sauce: Incorporate 1-2 mashed anchovy fillets into the garlic butter sauce to infuse a deep umami richness.
  • Cajun Garlic and Butter Sauce: If you love seafood remoulade sauce, this version is for you. Mix Cajun seasoning to taste (start with 1 teaspoon) into the garlic butter sauce for a spicy and flavorful kick.
  • Old Bay Seafood Butter: Try adding Old Bay Seasoning for zesty, robust flavor that’ll make your seafood shine.
  • Creamy Lemon Butter Sauce: Remove the butter from the heat and whisk in 1 to 2 tablespoons of heavy cream and a little lemon zest for a richer, creamy butter sauce.
  • Herb Butter Sauce: Enhance the classic flavor with additional fresh herbs like thyme, rosemary, and chives for a fragrant and aromatic twist. Or add a little Italian seasoning for a most robust profile.
  • Spicy Seafood Butter Sauce: Incorporate a little Sriracha sauce and a pinch of crushed red pepper flakes or cayenne pepper into the butter sauce for a spicy kick with a hint of sweetness.
  • Seafood Garlic Parmesan Butter Sauce: Introduce grated Parmesan cheese and minced garlic into the butter sauce for a creamy and savory flavor profile.
  • Ginger Soy Butter Sauce: Mix grated fresh ginger and soy sauce into the butter sauce for an Asian-inspired flavor profile with a hint of umami.

how to make garlic butter seafood sauce

This lemony, garlicky butter sauce recipe is super simple to make. here’s how:

  •  Melt the Butter: Add the butter to a small saucepan and place the pan over medium heat. Cook, swirling the pan or stirring the butter constantly, until the butter starts to turn golden brown in color, about 3 minutes.
  • Add the Garlic: Add the minced garlic to the butter and cook, stirring constantly, for 30 seconds to 1 minute until the butter Is golden in color with a nutty aroma
  • Remove Butter Sauce from Heat: Immediately remove the pan from the heat and pour the garlic butter into a small bowl.
  • Add Flavor and Adjust to Taste: Add the fresh lemon juice and minced parsley to the brown butter and season with the salt and pepper. Stir to combine. Let the butter cool slightly and then taste it and adjust the flavors to suit your taste buds.
  • Serve Garlic Butter Sauce with Seafood: Serve butter garlic sauce with your favorite seafood dishes or store in the fridge to use at a later date. Enjoy!

Expert tips for the most success!

  • Quality Ingredients: Be sure to use high-quality unsalted butter for a rich, creamy base. And use fresh garlic cloves and fresh lemon juice for optimal flavor and aroma.
  • Balanced Flavors: Balance the richness of the butter with acidity from freshly squeezed lemon juice. And adjust the amount to achieve the desired tanginess.
  • Cooking Technique: Melt the butter gently over medium to medium-low heat (while constantly stirring) to very lightly brown the butter, which lends a nutty, toasty aroma and delicious taste. Once the butter is golden, add the minced garlic and sauté until it’s just fragrant.
  • Incorporate Lemon and Herbs Off Heat: Add the lemon juice and fresh herbs like Italian parsley or chives off the heat, at the very end of cooking so the flavors stay fresh and bright.
  • Experiment with Different Flavor Variations: I encourage you to experiment in the kitchen and try different variations. Try adding capers for a briny twist, anchovies for depth of flavor, or Cajun seasoning for a spicy kick.
  • Taste and Adjust the Flavors: Be sure to taste the seafood butter sauce before serving and adjust the seasoning or acidity as necessary to achieve a well-balanced and flavorful garlic butter sauce that perfectly suits your own taste buds.

FAQs: frequently asked questions

You’ve got questions? I’ve got answers! If you have a question you don’t see listed below, please drop them in the comments section. I’m happy to help when I can! 

How can I prevent my garlic from burning in the butter?

To prevent garlic from burning, it’s crucial to add it during the last 30 seconds to minute of cooking. Be sure to keep a close eye on it, stir frequently, and cook just until the garlic becomes fragrant. If needed, reduce the heat to medium-low or simply move the pan off the heat.

Can I use salted butter instead of unsalted butter?

Sure. However, I do recommend using unsalted butter in garlic butter seafood sauce recipes so that you can control the salt content. However, if you only have salted butter, reduce the amount of additional in the recipe by half to avoid over-seasoning.

What herbs can I add to the garlic butter sauce?

Fresh herbs are a great way to customize butter sauces. Common herbs include Italian parsley, chives, thyme, or basil; but feel free to experiment. Just be sure to finely chop the herbs and add them off the heat for a fresh burst of flavor.

How do I know when the butter sauce is done?

The butter and garlic sauce for seafood is done when the butter is fully melted into a golden brown sauce with a smooth consistency.

What seafood dishes pair well with garlic butter sauce?

This seafood butter sauce complements a wide range of seafood – anything from shrimp and scallops, to king crab legs and snow crab legs, to lobster tails and whole grilled fishes or fish fillets. It adds richness and flavor without overwhelming the delicate taste of the seafood you pair with it. But, it also tastes terrific tossed with pastas, drizzled over veggies, spooned over baked potatoes, and more!

Can I make the garlic butter sauce ahead of time?

Sure; however, due to the fresh ingredients, seafood butter sauce do taste best when enjoyed immediately. But if you’re looking to make it in advance, simply store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to a week. When ready to use reheat the sauce gently over low heat, stirring constantly.

Serving butter and garlic sauce for seafood

Common serving suggestions

  • Seafood Symphony. Serve the garlic butter sauce over your favorite variety of seafood – perfectly cooked crab legs, shrimp, scallops, or fish fillets – for a classic and flavorful pairing.
  • Perfect Pasta. Toss the seafood garlic butter sauce with cooked pasta such as linguine or spaghetti. And add seafood, such as shrimp or crab, for a simple yet elegant pasta dish. This sauce tastes delightful over crab pasta.
  • Roasted Vegetables. Drizzle the garlic butter seafood sauce over your favorite roasted veggies, such as asparagus, broccoli, or green beans.
  • Steamed or Poached Shellfish. Offer garlic butter sauce for dipping alongside steamed mussels or clams, or poached shrimp or poached salmon.
  • Sensational Seafood Skewers. Thread shrimp, scallops, and cherry tomatoes onto a skewer. Then throw them on the grill, and brush with seafood butter for a gourmet seafood kabob. Or simply serve it with my favorite grilled scallop skewers.
  • Buttery Baked Potatoes. Spoon the butter seafood sauce over baked potatoes for a creamy and tangy twist on a classic side dish.

Unique serving ideas

  • Seafood Boil Sauce: Whether its a shrimp boil, crab boil, or crawfish boil, create one for the record books by serving seafood, sweet corn cobs, and red potatoes with a generous drizzle of this melted butter garlic sauce.
  • Ocean Side Tacos. Use the lemon butter sauce as a creamy and tangy dressing for seafood tacos.
  • Stuffed Mushrooms. Fill large mushroom caps with a mixture of breadcrumbs and Parmesan cheese. Drizzle with the butter sauce before baking for a luxurious appetizer.
  • Seafood Crostini. Spread toasted baguette slices with buttery garlic sauce and top with gravlax salmon or smoked salmon for a sophisticated appetizer.
  • Lemon Butter Risotto. Stir the butter dipping sauce into creamy scallop risotto during the last few minutes of cooking to impart a luxurious flavor and texture.
  • Buttery Pizza Crust. Brush the garlicky butter sauce onto pizza dough before adding toppings like shrimp, spinach, and feta cheese.

storing leftovers

Refrigerator Storage

  • Refrigeration: Allow the lemon and garlic butter sauce to cool completely, then transfer it to an airtight storage container. Store in the fridge for up to 1 week.
  • Reheating: To reheat, gently warm the herb and garlic butter in a saucepan over low heat, stirring constantly until melted and warmed through. Avoid heating over higher heat to prevent separation.

Freezing Instructions

  • Storage: Let the butter cool completely before transferring the cooled sauce into a freezer-safe container or heavy-duty freezer bag. Remove any excess air and seal tightly.
  • Freezer: Store the butter sauce in the freezer for up to 3 months for best quality.
  • Thawing and Reheating: Thaw the frozen garlic butter overnight in the refrigerator. Reheat gently in a saucepan over low heat, stirring constantly until warm through. Adjust consistency with a splash of cream or broth if needed.

Unlock the magic of this butter garlic sauce for seafood and elevate your ocean fare to gourmet heights. Whip up this versatile, flavor-packed sauce today and transform your meals from ordinary to extraordinary. Share your culinary creations and let your reputation as a home chef soar – your taste buds will thank you!

Cheyanne

Craving MORE? Follow all the deliciousness on Facebook, Pinterest and Instagram!

More recipes for flavorful butters!

Overhead photo of garlic butter sauce for seafood with fresh parsley in a white skillet.

Seafood Garlic Butter Sauce

Author: Cheyanne Holzworth
Total Time: 10 minutes
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 5 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Indulge in the perfect pairing and dive into a world of seafood perfection with this tantalizing Garlic Butter Seafood Sauce. With the ideal balance of creamy butter, aromatic garlic, tangy lemon, and fresh herbs, this seafood butter will transform ordinary fish and shellfish recipes into extraordinary dining experiences that will leave your taste buds craving more!

Equipment

  • 1 Small Saucepan (SEE NOTES)
  • 1 Whisk

Ingredients 

  • 4 TBS Unsalted Butter – cut into 4 pieces
  • 1-2 clove Garlic – peeled and minced (substitute: 2 TBS minced Shallots)
  • 1 TBS Fresh Lemon Juice – or more to taste
  • 1 scant TBS Fresh Italian Parsley – minced (SEE NOTES)
  • ½ tsp Kosher Salt
  • 1/16 tsp Ground Black Pepper
  • Optional Additions: Capers, Anchovy Filet, Dijon Mustard, or Heavy Cream (SEE NOTES)

Instructions

  • Brown Butter: Add the butter to a small saucepan and place the pan over medium heat. Cook, swirling the pan or stirring the butter constantly, until the butter starts to turn golden brown in color, about 3 minutes.
  • Add the Garlic: Add the minced garlic to the butter and cook, stirring constantly, for 30 seconds to 1 minute until the butter Is golden in color with a nutty aroma.
  • Remove Garlic Butter from Heat: Immediately remove the pan from the heat and pour the garlic butter into a small bowl.
  • Add Lemon and Herbs, Adjust to Taste: Add 1 tablespoon of the fresh lemon juice and all the minced parsley to the brown butter and season with the salt and pepper. Stir to combine.
    Let the butter cool slightly (so you don’t burn your tongue) and then taste it and adjust the flavors to suit your tastebuds.
  • Serve Butter Garlic Sauce with Seafood: Serve butter garlic sauce with your favorite seafood dishes or store in the fridge to use at a later date. Enjoy!
    (Note: This seafood butter sauce will stay melted and pourable for 20 to 30 minutes, depending upon the temperature of your home. I like to use a butter warmer to keep the butter sauce melted for longer.)

Notes

  • Saucepan: I recommend using a light colored or stainless-steel saucepan to make butter sauces. If you use a dark colored or cast-iron pan it will turn your butter sauce a darker color. 
  • Herbs: You can swap out the parsley and use other fresh herbs such as basil, tarragon, or cilantro. However, you will want to decrease the amount of tarragon significantly and the cilantro slightly.
  • Storage: Allow the garlic seafood butter to cool to room temperature and then transfer to an airtight container. Store in the fridge for up to 1 week or freeze for longer term storage. Reheat the sauce gently on the stovetop over low heat or in the microwave in short 10 second increments.
  • Additions: You can easily customize this garlic butter. Once you turn off the heat under the pan, stir in rinsed, drained, and chopped capers or/and a minced anchovy filet. Whisk in 1-2 teaspoons of Dijon mustard or 1-2 tablespoons of heavy cream. And if you’re looking for a less rich butter sauce, thin it with a little chicken broth or seafood broth.
  • Need to Scale the Recipe? Hover your mouse over the number of servings in the recipe card. You’ll see a sliding scale pop up, you can use that to scale the recipe up or down as needed.
     
  • Got questions? I’ve got answers! If you ever run into an issue, have a question, or need any clarification – please feel free to drop them in the comments section. I’m happy to help when I can! 
  • Recipe Serves: 2-4
Nutritional information is provided as a courtesy and the nutrition facts are an estimate based upon 4 servings. Exact information will depend upon the brands of ingredients and precise measurements used.

Nutrition

Calories: 102kcal    Carbohydrates: 1g    Protein: 0.2g    Fat: 11g    Saturated Fat: 7g    Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.4g    Monounsaturated Fat: 3g    Trans Fat: 0.5g    Cholesterol: 30mg    Sodium: 293mg    Potassium: 12mg    Fiber: 0.04g    Sugar: 0.1g    Vitamin A: 371IU    Vitamin C: 2mg    Calcium: 6mg    Iron: 0.04mg
Course: Condiment, Sauce
Cuisine: American

Did you make this recipe?

Mention @nospoonnecessary on Instagram and tag it #nospoonnecessary!

©No Spoon Necessary. All images and content are under copyright protection. Please do not use any images without prior permission. Please do not publish this recipe without prior consent. If you want to reference this recipe, please do so by linking directly to this post.