Brown Butter Sauce
Transform any dish into a gourmet masterpiece with this rich and nutty brown butter sauce! Made with just a handful of simple ingredients—unsalted butter, tangy lemon juice, and a hint of salt and pepper—this versatile sauce captures the essence of caramelized perfection in under 10 minutes. The golden-brown butter, speckled with toasted milk solids, offers a delicate nutty aroma, while the optional addition of fresh herbs like parsley or sage provides a burst of freshness. Perfect for drizzling over pasta, fish, or roasted vegetables, this quick and easy recipe is a must-know technique for elevating everyday meals. Whether you're a seasoned chef or a kitchen newbie, this brown butter sauce will have you savoring restaurant-quality flavor from the comfort of home!
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 8 tablespoons Unsalted butter
- 1 tablespoon Lemon juice
- 0.25 teaspoon Salt
- 0.125 teaspoon Freshly ground black pepper
- 1 teaspoon Optional: Fresh herbs (e.g., parsley or sage), finely chopped
Instructions
Place an 8- to 10-inch light-colored skillet over medium heat. This will help you monitor the color changes as the butter cooks.
Add the unsalted butter to the skillet. Allow it to melt completely, stirring occasionally with a whisk or silicone spatula.
Continue heating the butter. As it melts, it will foam and then start to bubble. Keep stirring occasionally to ensure it heats evenly.
Watch for color changes in the butter. After 4–6 minutes, the butter will transition to a golden brown and give off a nutty aroma. This is the browning process, as the milk solids toast.
Remove the skillet from heat immediately to prevent burning. The butter should now have a deep, golden-brown hue with small browned bits (toasted milk solids).
Stir in the lemon juice, salt, and black pepper. Be cautious, as the lemon juice may cause the mixture to briefly sizzle.
For an optional twist, stir in finely chopped fresh herbs such as parsley or sage for an added layer of flavor.
Transfer the sauce to a heatproof bowl or pour directly over your dish of choice, such as pasta, fish, or roasted vegetables.
Serve warm. If not using immediately, the sauce can be reheated gently over low heat but should be used the same day for best results.
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
820 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 96.0 g | 123% | |
| Saturated Fat | 56.0 g | 280% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0.0 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 248 mg | 83% | |
| Sodium | 606 mg | 26% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 1.3 g | 0% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 0.1 g | 0% | |
| Total Sugars | 0.4 g | ||
| Protein | 0.9 g | 2% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.0 mcg | 0% | |
| Calcium | 27 mg | 2% | |
| Iron | 0.1 mg | 1% | |
| Potassium | 45 mg | 1% | |
*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
