FREE 5-Ingredient Recipe EBook

• Everything Is Better With My Lemon Butter Sauce
• Ingredients & Substitutions
• How To Make Lemon Butter Sauce
• My Recipe Tips & Troubleshooting
• Lemon Butter Sauce (3 Ingredients) Recipe card
• Recipe Variations
• Ways To Enjoy It
• More Homemade Sauce Recipes
• Recipe Reviews

Everything Is Better With My Lemon Butter Sauce

Once you know how to make this lemon butter sauce , you’re going to want to put it on everything ! There’s your warning… and my own reminder to make it again. 😉 Here’s why I can’t wait:

• Light, buttery, and tangy – With a balance of tangy lemon, silky butter, and garlic, I whip up this quick sauce whenever I want something buttery with just the right amount of zing to brighten up a dish. Unlike richer cream sauces, my lemon garlic butter sauce doesn’t feel heavy.
• Only 3 ingredients – And you probably already have them, which means you could make this tonight .
• Quick and easy – It’s ready in just 10 minutes… perfect for busy weeknights when I want something special but fuss-free.
• Perfect flavor for everything – I originally made this sauce to complement my halibut recipe (a dish close to my heart), but it pairs with a variety of seafood, from juicy lobster tails to other delicate fish fillets . And don’t stop there – it tastes equally amazing over sautéed broccoli . See other ways I use it below!

It’s hard to believe that three simple ingredients can elevate your food so much, but this lemon butter sauce recipe lives up to the challenge. Make it with me and see!

Ingredients & Substitutions

Here I explain the best ingredients for lemon butter sauce, what each one does in the recipe, and substitution options. For measurements, see the recipe card .

• Butter – I used salted butter to keep it simple, but you can also use unsalted and just add a pinch of salt.
• Lemon Juice – I use and recommend fresh lemon juice for the best flavor, but have made this lemon butter sauce with bottled lemon juice as a shortcut when I ran out of fresh lemons. If you use it, be sure it doesn’t include added water — otherwise the sauce can separate. Feel free to also add a bit of lemon zest for a stronger flavor.
• Garlic Powder – I prefer it over fresh garlic, because it has less risk of burning and it’s faster. You can use 2 garlic cloves (minced or crushed) instead, but this works best if you add them toward the very end. I find that garlic powder infuses every bite with garlic flavor more easily, though, plus I like that it makes the sauce totally smooth.

I don’t usually add pepper to this sauce, but if I were going to, I’d choose white pepper over black pepper to maintain the light color.

How To Make Lemon Butter Sauce

I have step-by-step photos here to help you visualize the recipe. For full instructions with amounts and temperatures, see the recipe card .

1. Melt the butter. Just use a small saucepan over medium-low heat.
2. Add the lemon juice and garlic powder. Heat, stirring occasionally, until the sauce has turned a darker yellow color but not browned. Remove from heat and strain if needed.

My Recipe Tips & Troubleshooting

The main questions I get about this lemon butter sauce have to do with the color, thickness, or separation. Here are my top tips on these:

• Use a light colored saucepan. I like to use an enameled saucepan like this , so that I can see when the color changes in the sauce. A stainless steel saucepan (or stainless skillet with tall sides) works well, too. I don’t recommend dark nonstick pans, since it’s hard to see the color of the sauce.
• Watch carefully to avoid burning. The lemon butter sauce will burn easily if heated too long! The time can vary if you use a different type of pan than I did, so just watch it closely.
• Avoiding separation: This can happen if your heat is too high, or if you use bottled lemon juice, which often has water added. Use freshly squeezed lemon juice if you can!
• Thickening the sauce: My lemon garlic butter sauce is supposed to be thin! But if you do want it thicker, you can add a tablespoon of cornstarch (or a cornstarch substitute ) or 1/4 teaspoon of xanthan gum to thicken it. Mix with a small amount of melted butter first before stirring into the rest of the sauce.
• What to do if it turns brown: You might have cooked the sauce a tad too long, resulting in a brown butter lemon sauce! I’ve done this before when testing the recipe, and don’t worry, it’s still tasty with a nutty flavor. I just personally prefer the lighter sauce before it browns, but if this happens, you can strain it through a fine-mesh sieve to remove the brown bits.

Recipe Video

Ingredients

Tap underlined ingredients to see the ones I use.

• 1/2 cup Salted butter ▢
• 2 tbsp Lemon juice (from 1 lemon) ▢
• 1/2 tsp Garlic powder ▢

Instructions

Tap on the times in the instructions to start a kitchen timer.

1. In a small saucepan over medium-low heat, melt the butter.
2. Add the lemon juice and garlic powder. Heat, stirring occasionally, for 2-3 minutes , until lemon butter has turned a darker yellow color but not browned. (Time will vary depending on the size and shape of your pan. Be careful not to burn it.)
3. Remove from heat immediately. If your sauce cooked too long and has browned bits, strain through a fine-mesh sieve.

LAST STEP: Leave a rating to help other readers, or tag me @wholesomeyum on Instagram. I’d love to hear from you!

Maya’s Recipe Notes

Serving size: 1 tablespoon

• Tips: Check out my recipe tips above to help you get the right flavor, color, and texture in your lemon butter sauce. I’ve also included some troubleshooting suggestions if you run into any issues making this recipe.
• Variations: See my variations for ways to add other flavors to this sauce.
• Storage: Keep the sauce in an airtight container or mason jar in the fridge for up to 7 days. I often make it ahead and serve over different meals throughout the week!
• Reheat: Gently reheat the lemon butter sauce in a saucepan over low heat, until warm. Be careful not to overheat, or it will turn brown.
• Freeze: You can store the sauce in the freezer for up to 3 months. I like to freeze it in these cubes for perfect portions. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating, as it’s more likely to burn or separate if you reheat from frozen.

I provide nutrition facts as a courtesy. Have questions about calculations or why you got a different result? Please see my nutrition policy .

Add Your NotesYour Notes

© Copyright Maya Krampf for Wholesome Yum. Please DO NOT SCREENSHOT OR COPY/PASTE recipes to social media or websites. We’d LOVE for you to share a link with photo instead.

Lemon Butter Sauce

Recipe Variations

The classic version of this lemon butter sauce recipe is my favorite, but sometimes I like to switch it up. Here are some ways you can customize it:

• Capers – For a briny flavor, stir in a tablespoon or two of capers during the final minutes of cooking. I like to serve this version over oven baked chicken breast for a chicken-piccata-like experience.
• Creamy – Want a luscious creaminess? Whisk in a splash of heavy cream just before serving, blending it with the butter and lemon mixture until smooth and velvety. This one goes nicely over baked salmon .
• Fresh Herbs – Finely chop a couple tablespoons and stir into the lemon butter sauce just before serving. Dill is my favorite when I’m serving this sauce over fish, but other herbs (like chives, thyme leaves, or parsley) would also go nicely.

Ways To Enjoy It

I use this lemon butter sauce for fish or other seafood the most, but it’s hard to find something I don’t love with it! (I said you’ll want to use it on everything, right? I did.) Here are a few ways I like to enjoy it:

• Fish – I first made this sauce for halibut (pictured above), but you can drizzle this stuff on any fish recipe. Try it on broiled salmon , rainbow trout , pan-fried tilapia , or baked cod for an instant burst of flavor! Or get a little fancy by serving it over my Chilean sea bass recipe — this simple sauce is easier to make than the beurre blanc that recipe uses.
• Shellfish – What’s better than dipping juicy crab meat or lobster meat in melted butter? Not much, but I love these even more with this lemon butter sauce. It’s also super tasty with baked shrimp or seared scallops .
• Vegetables – I sometimes drizzle it over roasted asparagus , but it even adds a delicious lemon garlic flavor to roasted cauliflower and broccoli , too.
• Noodles – You can use this as a lemon butter sauce for pasta, too! Just toss your favorite cooked pasta with it, or try my favorite lighter alternatives, like zoodles or spaghetti squash noodles .
• Chicken – I love it for adding a bright and tangy flavor to grilled chicken breasts and crispy roasted chicken thighs . More recently, I made it the entire focus of my lemon butter chicken recipe.

More Homemade Sauce Recipes

Sauces are a great way to elevate your dishes, but homemade sauces? That’s where the real magic happens. Try some of my other homemade sauce recipes for the ultimate flavor-packed meal:

Free Printable: Low Carb & Keto Food List

• Want The Keto Cheat Sheet Printable PDF System?
• The Basic Keto Meal Formula
• Understanding Macros
• Keto Food Swaps
• Keto Food List
• Electrolyte Basics
• Keto Diet Types
• Want The Keto Cheat Sheet Printable PDF System?
• Recipe Reviews

Even though I have a great guide to starting a keto diet , people often ask me for a quick keto cheat sheet they can use. That’s why I created this simple keto diet cheat sheet , so that you can have all the info you need handy. We’ll cover the basic keto formula for building meals, foods to eat and to avoid, delicious keto swaps for high-carb foods, electrolyte basics, and 4 ways to follow the keto lifestyle.

You can keep reading to view this info, or download my keto cheat sheet printable pdf to print out or save ad-free on any device (plus the pdf has more details!).

Want The Keto Cheat Sheet Printable PDF System?

Get all this information and MORE in convenient printer-friendly format – 13 cheat sheet pages you can take with you anywhere or keep in your kitchen, plus 4 recipe cookbooks! Includes:

1. Keto food list (230+ foods) – Super detailed & color-coded, with net carb counts, so you’ll know exactly what to eat.
2. Foods to avoid on keto – Detailed and specific list so that you know exactly what to watch out for.
3. Macros cheat sheet – Explains everything you need to know about macros to succeed on keto.
4. Keto food swaps (60+ foods) – Covers virtually every food you love, so you don’t have to miss out!
5. Keto meal formula – With specific food ideas, so it’s easy to mix-and-match.
6. Keto flu guide – Understand what it is and exactly how to avoid it.
7. Electrolyte cheat sheet – With whole food ideas + bonus keto tips.
8. Keto Diet Types – Summary of 4 ways to do keto, so you can choose what fits you best.
9. FOUR (4!) Keto Swaps Recipe EBooks – Dozens of recipes to replace bread, rice, potatoes, pasta, desserts, and other carbs you’d otherwise miss.

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The Basic Keto Meal Formula

Eating keto doesn’t have to be complicated! While there are plenty of delicious easy keto recipes to choose from, you don’t even have to cook from a recipe to get started.

Simply follow the keto cheat sheet formula of protein + veggie + fat for your meals.

Be sure to choose a moderate amount of protein, only low carb vegetables (mostly ones that grow above ground), and generous fat to attain an optimal macro ratio. That’s approximately 60-75% of calories from fat, 20-25% protein, and 5-10% from carbohydrates. The table below will give you ideas for what to choose.

Understanding Macros

Macros are macronutrients for short. They include fat, protein, and carbohydrates.

You can calculate your own macros using the macro calculator , but the macro keto cheat sheet below will explain how to look at macros when following a keto lifestyle.

Carbs Are A Limit.

Keeping carbs low is what gets you into ketosis and keeps you there. Ketosis means that you’re using fat as your primary energy source instead of sugar, and requires keeping carbs very low.

A good starting point is 20-25 grams net carbs per day, but you can experiment after a few weeks to see if your body stays in ketosis at higher levels. People who are very active may be able to do more and stay in ketosis, up to around 50 grams per day.

“Carbs are a limit” means that you set a limit for how many carbs to eat per day and don’t exceed it. You don’t have to hit that limit, so if you’re under that’s okay, just don’t go over. Ideally most of your carbs would come from low carb vegetables, and if you’re eating enough veggies, you’ll usually get close to the limit naturally.

A common misconception is that reaching ketosis requires a certain macro ratio, but it’s really only restricting your carb intake that gets you there [ * ]. In the absence of sufficient carbs to use as energy, the body will switch to using fat as fuel. This is called the metabolic state of ketosis.

Protein Is A Goal.

Protein is made up of amino acids, the building blocks of all our cells. It’s a crucial for keeping our muscles strong and for many cellular functions [ * ].

“Protein is a goal” means that you always want to eat enough protein to reach the goal each day, but not exceed it too much. You want enough for your needs, but excess protein can trigger gluconeogenesis, which is protein being converted to sugar [ * ] and can kick you out of ketosis.

Fat Is A Lever.

Fat is the primary macronutrient in a keto lifestyle, because being in ketosis means that fat is your primary fuel source. Fat as a fuel source will come from your food, and if you are losing weight, from your body.

A big advantage of a keto lifestyle is the high fat intake. It keeps you full and satisfied, making it easier to stick to, and using it as the primary fuel source makes it easier on your body to burn body fat, with a lower chance of breaking down your muscle (provided you get enough protein).

Aside from reaching your protein goal and limiting your carbs, the remainder of your calories on a keto diet comes from fat.

Don’t fear fat – it’s your main energy source on keto, and getting enough of it trains your body to use fat for fuel instead of sugar. That means that as long as you are not overdoing your overall calorie intake, you’ll efficiently burn your body fat for fuel as well.

“Fat is a lever” means that you can increase or decrease your fat intake depending on your goals and hunger levels. Increase it (along with exercise) to gain muscle, or decrease it to lose weight.

Keto Food Swaps

One of my favorite challenges is creating recipes, or just discovering, keto food swaps. These are delicious keto replacements for traditionally high-carb or high-sugar foods.

So, I created this keto diet cheat sheet with all the swaps in one place! I also have more keto food swaps in my Easy Keto Cookbook .

Keto Swaps For Breakfast

Keto Swaps For Bread

Keto Swaps For Meals & Side Dishes

Keto Swaps For Snacks & Sauces

Keto Swaps For Cooking & Baking

Keto Swaps For Drinks

If you’re looking specifically for keto alcohol options, browse the full keto alcohol guide .

Keto Food List

When looking for a keto cheat sheet printable, the most-requested information is a keto food list.

The great thing is that keto doesn’t have to feel restrictive. It’s incredibly satisfying and there’s such a wide variety of foods you can eat!

Foods To Eat On Keto

• Leafy greens – Such as spinach, chard, and lettuce.
• Above-ground veggies – Such as peppers, zucchini, and cauliflower.
• Full-fat cream & cheese – Such as heavy cream, sour cream, and full-fat hard cheeses.
• Natural meats – Such as beef, lamb, and pork.
• Berries – Such as raspberries, blackberries, and strawberries.
• Avocados
• Unsweetened nut milks – Such as almond milk and coconut milk.
• Almond flour and coconut flour
• Eggs
• Healthy fats – Such as coconut oil, avocado oil, olive oil and butter.

Foods To Avoid On Keto

• White flour & sugar
• Rice & grains – Such as barley, wheat, and corn.
• Milk & yogurt – Such as fruit on the bottom yogurt, sweetened Greek yogurt, and all milk.
• Cereal
• Processed food – Such as granola bars, candy
• Most fruit – Such as apples, bananas, and grapes
• Hydrogenated fats – Such as vegetable oil, soybean oil, and margarine
• Sweetened beverages & condiments – Such as soda, ketchup, and sweet dressings
• Starchy veggies – Such as peas, carrots, and beets.
• Potatoes – Such as sweet potatoes and white potatoes.

That’s the short keto diet cheat sheet version of all the keto food categories, but I recommend downloading the full Keto Cheat Sheet System. It includes a super detailed printable keto food list with over 100 items, including 2 color-coded pages with net carb counts, along with 6 more pages of keto cheat sheets:

Get The Keto Cheat Sheet System PDF (Only $37)

Electrolyte Basics

Getting enough electrolytes is crucial for anyone, but especially so on a keto diet. The reason is that ketosis has a diuretic effect, which increases excretion of water and electrolytes, especially sodium [ * ]. This is often the cause of the keto flu.

For more details on electrolytes and avoiding keto flu, check out the full keto flu guide here .

The important thing to know about electrolytes is that replenishing them will keep keto flu away and keep your body functioning well. I always recommend an electrolyte drink and whole food sources of anything your body needs before resorting to supplements, so I made a list of what to eat to get each of the 3 major electrolytes – sodium, magnesium and potassium.

Here’s your keto diet cheat sheet for getting electrolytes from food:

Keto Diet Types

People follow a keto lifestyle for different reasons. Some do it just to lose weight, others are after better overall health, increased energy, and reduced inflammation.

Strictly speaking, the defining factor of a keto diet is the metabolic state of ketosis, which is achieved by restricting carbs. However, many people (myself included) also reduce or eliminate processed, inflammatory, or low-nutrient foods.

Below is your keto cheat sheet summary of the different ways that people follow keto. You choose what works best for your goals and lifestyle!

• Strict Keto – Up to 20-30g net carbs daily, count all calories and macros, and eat clean, unprocessed foods.
• Lazy Keto – Up to 20-30g net carbs daily, and track only net carbs OR eat keto foods without tracking.
• Dirty Keto – Up to 20-30g net carbs daily, with “if it fits your macros” approach including processed foods.
• Low Carb – Up to 50-100g net carbs daily, less strict.

For a more detailed listing of these different types of keto with pros and cons, grab the Easy Keto Cheat Sheet Printable PDF below!

Want The Keto Cheat Sheet Printable PDF System?

Get all this information and MORE in convenient printer-friendly format – 13 cheat sheet pages you can take with you anywhere or keep in your kitchen, plus 4 recipe cookbooks! Includes:

1. Keto food list (230+ foods) – Super detailed & color-coded, with net carb counts, so you’ll know exactly what to eat.
2. Foods to avoid on keto – Detailed and specific list so that you know exactly what to watch out for.
3. Macros cheat sheet – Explains everything you need to know about macros to succeed on keto.
4. Keto food swaps (60+ swaps) – Covers virtually every food you love, so you don’t have to miss out!
5. Keto meal formula – With specific food ideas, so it’s easy to mix-and-match.
6. Keto flu guide – Understand what it is and exactly how to avoid it.
7. Electrolyte cheat sheet – With whole food ideas + bonus keto tips.
8. Keto Diet Types – Summary of 4 ways to do keto, so you can choose what fits you best.
9. FOUR (4!) Keto Swaps Recipe EBooks – Dozens of recipes to replace bread, rice, potatoes, pasta, desserts, and other carbs you’d otherwise miss.

Get The Printable Keto Cheat Sheet System (75 pages, Only $37!)

Lemon Butter Sauce (3 Ingredients)

Make my easy lemon butter sauce for fish, chicken, seafood, veggies, and more! With 3 simple ingredients, it’s ready in just 10 minutes.

Scan this QR code with your phone’s camera for the full recipe, including tips, step-by-step photos, and storage, or to save it to your account. You can also find it at: https://www.wholesomeyum.com/lemon-butter-sauce/

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup Salted butter
• 2 tbsp Lemon juice (from 1 lemon)
• 1/2 tsp Garlic powder

Instructions

1. In a small saucepan over medium-low heat, melt the butter.
2. Add the lemon juice and garlic powder. Heat, stirring occasionally, for 2-3 minutes , until lemon butter has turned a darker yellow color but not browned. (Time will vary depending on the size and shape of your pan. Be careful not to burn it.)
3. Remove from heat immediately. If your sauce cooked too long and has browned bits, strain through a fine-mesh sieve.

Maya’s Recipe Notes

Serving size: 1 tablespoon

• Tips: Check out my recipe tips above to help you get the right flavor, color, and texture in your lemon butter sauce. I’ve also included some troubleshooting suggestions if you run into any issues making this recipe.
• Variations: See my variations for ways to add other flavors to this sauce.
• Storage: Keep the sauce in an airtight container or mason jar in the fridge for up to 7 days. I often make it ahead and serve over different meals throughout the week!
• Reheat: Gently reheat the lemon butter sauce in a saucepan over low heat, until warm. Be careful not to overheat, or it will turn brown.
• Freeze: You can store the sauce in the freezer for up to 3 months. I like to freeze it in these cubes for perfect portions. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating, as it’s more likely to burn or separate if you reheat from frozen.

I provide nutrition facts as a courtesy. Have questions about calculations or why you got a different result? Please see my nutrition policy .

© Copyright Maya Krampf for Wholesome Yum. Please DO NOT SCREENSHOT OR COPY/PASTE recipes to social media or websites. We’d LOVE for you to share a link with photo instead. :)