Lemon Herb Seafood Butter Sauce
Table of Contents
Recipe Introduction
Quick Hook
Ever wondered how to make seafood taste like a million bucks? This seafood butter sauce recipe is your answer. It's like a hug from the ocean with a lemony, herby twist.
Honestly, it's so good, you'll want to lick the plate clean.
Brief Overview
This classic beurre blanc seafood sauce originates from French cuisine. It's surprisingly easy and takes only 10 minutes from start to finish.
This recipe yields about 4 servings, perfect for a cozy family dinner or impressing your mates.
Main Benefits
Besides being utterly delicious, this lemon herb butter sauce is packed with flavour! It's perfect for date night when you want to show off a bit.
This recipe is special because it turns humble seafood into a gourmet experience without any fuss.
Let's Talk Ingredients
Alright, you ready to see what magic we're cooking up? Don't worry it isn't as hard as it sounds!
- Butter: 8 tablespoons of cold, cubed unsalted butter. This is KEY.
- Wine: 2 tablespoons of dry white wine (Sauvignon Blanc works great).
- Lemon: 2 tablespoons of fresh lemon juice, plus zest!
- Cream: 1 tablespoon of heavy cream (double cream if you're in the UK).
- Herbs: Fresh parsley and chives, chopped, about 1 tablespoon each.
- Seasoning: Salt and white pepper.
How to Make This Magic Happen
Okay, the step-by-step of this easy seafood sauce recipe are as follows: first, combine wine and lemon juice in a pan and reduce.
Next, lower the heat and whisk in the cold butter slowly. Once melted, stir in cream, herbs, and seasoning. Serve immediately.
Seriously, that's it.
This quick seafood sauce is the real deal and the best butter sauce for scallops ever. Trust me, you're going to love it! I've been making this garlic seafood butter sauce for years and it's always a hit.
Enjoy, and happy cooking!
Let's Talk Ingredients & Gear!
Alright, let's get down to brass tacks and chat about what you'll need to whip up this seafood butter sauce recipe .
Don't worry; you probably have most of it already! Think of it as your secret weapon for amazing seafood sauce for cod , or whatever fish you fancy.
Honestly, this is way easier than it sounds.
Main Players: The Ingredient Line-Up
Here's the shopping list. Don’t be intimidated by the fancy beurre blanc seafood vibe; it's just a bunch of simple stuff coming together in a beautiful way.
- Butter: 8 tablespoons (113g) of unsalted butter, really cold and cubed. Trust me, the colder, the better for that perfect, silky emulsion.
- White Wine: 2 tablespoons (30ml) of dry white wine, like Sauvignon Blanc. That said, anything from a decent Pinot Grigio to even a dry sherry works a treat.
- Lemon Juice: 2 tablespoons (30ml) , fresh, of course! The bottled stuff just doesn't cut it.
- Cream: 1 tablespoon (15ml) of heavy cream. Don't skimp. If you’re in the UK, we’re talking double cream, baby!
- Fresh Herbs: 1 tablespoon (6g) each of minced fresh parsley and chives. Fresh is key here.
- Lemon Zest: ½ teaspoon (2.5ml) of lemon zest for that extra zing.
- Salt & Pepper: ¼ teaspoon (1.5g) of salt, and ⅛ teaspoon (0.5g) of ground white pepper. Season to taste, obviously.
- Optional: Pinch of red pepper flakes if you're feeling spicy.
Butter Quality: The better the butter, the better the sauce. Splurge on some good stuff if you can.
Seasoning Notes: The Secret Sauce to Seafood Pasta Sauce
Okay, so the basic recipe is fantastic, but here’s where you can really make it your own.
For a garlic seafood butter sauce , sauté some minced garlic in butter before adding the wine. Boom!
Quick Substitution: If you're missing fresh herbs, 1 teaspoon of dried mixed herbs will do in a pinch. Think about your favourite lemon herb butter sauce .
Consider adding a touch of dijon mustard.
Want some more quick seafood sauce action? A tiny bit of nutmeg adds a lovely warmth.
Gear Up! Essential Equipment
You won’t need much! This isn’t MasterChef, you know?
- Small saucepan
- Whisk
- Measuring spoons and cups
- Cutting board and knife
Household Hack: No whisk? A fork works! Just get some elbow grease in there! I've been making this easy seafood sauce recipe for years.
One time, I forgot the lemon and used lime. Total game changer! Now I sometimes use lime on purpose. This butter sauce for scallops always impresses!
Lemon & Herb Seafood Butter Sauce: A Taste of the Sea
Honestly, who doesn't love a good butter sauce? This lemon herb butter sauce is my absolute go-to for anything seafood related.
It's quick, easy, and tastes like you spent ages slaving away in the kitchen. We're talking restaurant quality stuff, but without the fuss.
I mean, seriously, what's not to love? It's my easy seafood sauce recipe that I pull out all the time.
Did you know that over 60% of home cooks feel intimidated to make restaurant quality sauces? Well, this one's here to prove them wrong!
Prep Like a Pro
First things first: mise en place . It sounds fancy, but it just means getting everything ready before you start cooking.
Chop your herbs, measure your wine, and cube your butter. Cold butter is absolutely essential here! It's the key to a smooth beurre blanc seafood .
Honestly, this sauce is so quick to make, you could probably prep while the hob warms up!
step-by-step to Buttery Bliss
- Wine Time: In a small saucepan, combine 2 tablespoons of white wine and 2 tablespoons of lemon juice. Simmer over medium heat until reduced by half. This takes around 2- 3 minutes .
- Butter Up: Lower the heat to low! Now, whisk in 8 tablespoons of cold butter, one or two cubes at a time. Make sure each cube is fully melted before adding more.
- Cream Dream: Stir in 1 tablespoon of heavy cream.
- Herb Power: Remove from heat. Stir in 1 tablespoon of parsley, 1 tablespoon of chives, ½ teaspoon of lemon zest, ¼ teaspoon of salt, and ⅛ teaspoon of white pepper.
- Serve it Hot! Pour your amazing seafood sauce for cod , scallops, prawns, you name it!
Pro Tips for a Perfect Sauce
Want to take your garlic seafood butter sauce game to the next level? Try browning the butter slightly before adding the wine.
It adds a lovely nutty flavour. Watch out for the sauce separating. Low heat is your friend! If it does split, try whisking in an ice cube.
It can sometimes bring it back together. Or, just start again and learn from your mistakes. I've been there! This is a quick seafood sauce so timing is key.
It's best served immediately!
This recipe is great for a butter sauce for scallops or even used as a base for seafood pasta sauce .
A little white wine butter sauce for fish goes a long way to impress! You could even make a creamy seafood sauce by adding more cream.
You'll feel like a kitchen god/goddess making this seafood butter sauce recipe for the first time!.
Recipe Notes: Butter Sauce Brilliance!
Right then, so you’re about to whip up this amazing seafood butter sauce recipe . Honestly, it's easier than making toast, but these little nuggets will make it foolproof! I've had my fair share of sauce mishaps, so learn from my blunders, eh?
Plating Like a Pro: Serving Suggestions
Okay, picture this: perfectly seared butter sauce for scallops nestled on a bed of vibrant green asparagus. Or, how about drizzling this lemon herb butter sauce over flaky baked cod, served with a crisp side salad? Don't forget a generous hunk of crusty bread to soak up every last drop!
For drinks, a crisp, chilled Sauvignon Blanc is chef's kiss .
Presentation is key, innit?
Storage Secrets: Keep it Fresh
If you're not serving the beurre blanc seafood sauce immediately, keep it in the fridge for up to 2 days .
Reheat gently over low heat, whisking constantly to prevent separation. I wouldn't recommend freezing this, as the texture can get a bit wonky when thawed.
No one wants a grainy sauce!
Variations: Mix it Up
Feeling adventurous? Try adding a minced clove of garlic to create a sublime garlic seafood butter sauce . For a creamy seafood sauce , add an extra splash of cream.
If you're avoiding dairy, try using a good quality plant based butter alternative and cashew cream - it might taste a bit different, but it'll still be delish! For a winter warmer, use sage instead of parsley.
The Good Stuff: Nutrition Basics
Let's keep it real, this seafood sauce for cod isn't exactly a health food, but hey, everything in moderation, right? Each serving clocks in at roughly 250 calories, with most of that coming from glorious, glorious fat.
But it's the good kind of fat (mostly!), and you get a little protein and a decent dose of happiness.
Plus, lemon and herbs are packed with antioxidants!
There you have it, my friend! Now get in that kitchen and make some magic with this easy seafood sauce recipe .
Even if you’re not a confident cook, you absolutely got this quick seafood sauce recipe. You will be amazing with your white wine butter sauce for fish and your delicious seafood pasta sauce .
Don't be afraid to experiment, and most importantly, have fun! Now go on, get saucy!
Frequently Asked Questions
Help! My seafood butter sauce recipe separated. What went wrong?
Oh dear, a split sauce is a culinary blemish no one wants! The most common culprit is either the heat being too high or the butter not being cold enough. Remember, low and slow is the key. Make sure that wine reduction isn't scorching hot before you start whisking in those icy butter cubes.
Patience, just like baking a perfect Victoria sponge, is a virtue here!
Can I make this seafood butter sauce recipe ahead of time?
While freshly made is always best, you can prepare components in advance. Reduce the wine and lemon juice ahead of time, and keep it in the fridge. However, I wouldn't recommend making the entire sauce and storing it. Butter sauces are notoriously fickle and can separate upon reheating.
It's best to whip it up just before serving, like a good cuppa, it's best fresh!
What kind of seafood goes best with this lemon herb butter sauce?
This sauce is versatile, a bit like a good pair of wellies, it goes with almost anything! It shines particularly well with delicate seafood like scallops, prawns, cod, or halibut. Think of it as a luxurious drizzle for anything that needs a touch of richness and brightness.
Even steamed mussels or clams would be divine bathing in this buttery goodness.
I'm dairy-free. Can I still enjoy a seafood butter sauce?
Absolutely! You can create a delicious dairy-free version by substituting the butter with a high-quality plant based butter alternative. For the cream, cashew cream or coconut cream work nicely, though they will subtly alter the flavour.
It won't be exactly the same as the classic, but it will still be a scrummy sauce that complements your seafood beautifully a bit like swapping clotted cream for custard on your scones, different but still lovely!
Any tips for jazzing up my seafood butter sauce recipe?
Ooh, fancy a bit of pizzazz? A pinch of red pepper flakes adds a lovely kick if you like a bit of heat. Sautéing a clove of minced garlic in a teaspoon of butter before adding the white wine brings a wonderful depth.
Or, if you’re feeling adventurous, try adding a splash of dry sherry or a hint of tarragon for an extra layer of flavour. Get creative and find what suits your tastebuds; you are, after all, the chef!
How should I store any leftover seafood butter sauce?
Technically, you can store leftover sauce in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours, but expect some separation. Reheating it gently over very low heat, whisking constantly, might bring it back together, but it's unlikely to be as smooth as it was originally.
Honestly, it's best to make just enough for one serving. Any excuse to whip up a fresh batch, right? It is like a fresh brew, best enjoyed right away!
Lemon Herb Seafood Butter Sauce
Ingredients:
Instructions:
Nutrition Facts:
| Calories | 250 |
|---|---|
| Fat | 27g |
| Fiber | 0g |