Carrabba’s Lemon Butter Sauce Recipe – Hungarian Chef

by Rebecca Novak published on April 29, 2023, last modified on March 19, 2024

Carrabba’s Italian Grill is a famous American restaurant and their lemon Butter sauce is the most signature item I have ever tried. The sauce has a creamy and buttery texture, with a tangy flavor from the fresh lemon juice. It makes any dish look as good as it tastes!

However, do you know that making this dish is easy too? You can make the Carrabba’s Lemon Butter sauce at home, with just a few simple ingredients. Here is the recipe for a delicious homemade version of this popular Italian dish.

carrabba's lemon butter sauce recipe

Want more sauce recipes? Check these:

What Is Lemon Butter Sauce?

Lemon butter sauce is a popular Italian condiment made with cold unsalted butter, fresh lemon juice, yellow onion, garlic cloves, dry white wine, Kosher salt, and ground white pepper. It is a creamy, buttery sauce with a hint of acidity from the lemon juice. The perfect accompaniment for any pasta dish or seafood meal!

Where Did I First Try Lemon Butter Sauce?

I first tried lemon butter sauce at Carrabba’s Italian Grill. This restaurant is well known for its amazing pasta dishes and unique sauces that really bring out the flavor of the food. The flavors in the lemon butter sauce were so good, it inspired me to make my own version at home.

It is so easy to make and the ingredients are simple and can be found in any grocery store. I love how versatile it is. You can use it for dipping, as a topping for pasta dishes, or even as a marinade for grilled protein like chicken or fish.

Generally, the butter is melted and sautéed with the other ingredients until a thick sauce forms. I like to add some freshly minced garlic and red pepper flakes for an extra kick of flavor! Also, you can always adjust the seasonings to your liking.

It tastes like a blend of creamy butter, tangy lemon, and garlicky goodness. Besides Carrabba’s, I have tried other versions at Italian restaurants and they are always so delicious. Besides, it’s such a simple recipe that you can easily make your own version of the Lemon Butter Sauce at home.

You can also checkout the following sauces Recipe :
carrabba's lemon butter sauce recipe pin

Ingredients

Unsalted Butter: Butter helps to create a creamy base and adds richness to the sauce.

Lemon Juice: This gives the sauce a slight touch of tartness while adding brightness.

Yellow Onion: For sweetness and subtle onion flavor

Garlic Cloves: This adds an aromatic garlic flavor.

Dry White Wine: Adds acidity, which helps to balance out the buttery sauce.

Kosher Salt and Ground White Pepper: For seasoning

Direction

Once you have gathered all the ingredients, you can start making the sauce. For that, check out the recipe below.

Step 1

In a medium saucepan, melt the butter over low heat.

Step 2

Add the onion and garlic to the pan and cook for about 1 minute or until softened.

Step 3

Pour in the white wine and allow it to simmer for 3-4 minutes or until it reduces by half.

Step 4

Add the lemon juice, salt, and pepper. Simmer for an additional 2-3 minutes or until thickened.

Step 5

Remove from heat and serve warm with your favorite pasta dish.

Cooking Tips

  • Be sure to use cold butter so that it melts slowly and evenly for a smooth consistency.
  • If you want more of a kick, add some freshly minced garlic or red pepper flakes to the sauce.
  • For an extra creamy texture, you can add a splash of cream or heavy cream to the sauce.

What Ingredients Can I Replace or Substitute While Making It?

If you don’t have white wine on hand, dry sherry can be used as a substitute. You can also replace the unsalted butter with salted butter, just be sure to reduce the amount of salt added to the sauce. Heavy cream can also be used instead of white wine for a richer, creamier texture.

carrabba's lemon butter sauce recipe

Carrabba’s Lemon Butter Sauce Recipe

Carrabba’s Italian Grill is a famous American restaurant and their lemon Butter sauce is the most signature item I have ever tried. The sauce has a creamy and buttery texture, with a tangy flavor from the fresh lemon juice. It makes any dish look as good as it tastes!
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Total Time: 30 minutes
Course: sauce
Cuisine: American
Keyword: Carrabba’s Lemon Butter Sauce, Carrabba’s Lemon Butter Sauce Recipe
Servings: 6
Calories: 156kcal
Author: Rebecca Novak

Equipment

  • Saucepan

Ingredients

  • 12 tablespoons cold unsalted butter
  • 3 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
  • 2 tablespoons finely chopped yellow onion
  • 2 garlic cloves
  • 1/3 cup dry white wine
  • Kosher salt and ground white pepper

Instructions

  • In a medium saucepan, melt the butter over low heat.
  • Add the onion and garlic to the pan and cook for about 1 minute or until softened.
  • Pour in the white wine and allow it to simmer for 3-4 minutes or until it reduces by half.
  • Add the lemon juice, salt, and pepper. Simmer for an additional 2-3 minutes or until thickened.
  • Remove from heat and serve warm with your favorite pasta dish.

Video

Notes

  • Be sure to use cold butter so that it melts slowly and evenly for a smooth consistency.
  • If you want more of a kick, add some freshly minced garlic or red pepper flakes to the sauce.
  • For an extra creamy texture, you can add a splash of cream or heavy cream to the sauce.

Nutrition

Calories: 156kcal
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

Nutrition Information

One serving of this Lemon Butter Sauce (1/4 cup) contains approximately:

  • Calories: 156 kcal
  • Total Fat: 16 g
  • Saturated Fat: 10 g
  • Carbohydrates: 2g
  • Protein: 0.4 g
  • Sodium: 46 mg
  • Potassium: 7.3 mg 

How to Store Leftover Carrabba’s lemon butter sauce recipe?

This sauce can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. To reheat, simply transfer it to a saucepan and cook on low heat until warmed through. Besides, this sauce can also be frozen for up to 3 months. When ready to use, thaw it in the refrigerator overnight and reheat it on low heat.

FAQs

Can pregnant women eat this? 

Yes, pregnant women can eat this dish as long as they wash their hands and all the ingredients used to prepare it. Eventually, it is always important to consult a doctor before consuming any food during pregnancy.

Is this dish suitable for people with allergies? 

Yes, this dish can be made without butter or wine and still taste amazing. Simply replace the butter with olive oil or vegan butter and the white wine with vegetable broth. Moreover, make sure to check the labels of any ingredients you use to ensure that they are allergy-safe.

Is this dish suitable for people on a vegan diet? 

Yes, this Lemon Butter Sauce can be made easily vegan by replacing the butter with vegan butter or olive oil and the white wine with vegetable broth. Additionally, make sure to check the labels of any ingredients you use to ensure that they are vegan-friendly.

Does this recipe contain dairy? 

Yes, this recipe does contain dairy in the form of butter and cream. If you have a dairy allergy or intolerance, simply substitute these ingredients with suitable alternatives.

How long does this recipe take to make? 

This recipe takes roughly 10 minutes of active cooking time, plus a few additional minutes for preparation. Altogether, it should take about 15-20 minutes to prepare.

Wrapping Up

This delicious Carrabba’s Lemon butter sauce is the perfect addition to any meal! Not only does it come together quickly, but it also adds amazing flavor to anything it’s served with. With just a few simple ingredients, you can have this restaurant-quality sauce ready in no time.

So don’t wait, give this recipe a try and enjoy the flavors of Carrabba’s right in your own home. Please share this recipe with your friends and family and let us know what you think. Thank you for your time.

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Author Profile
Rebecca Novak, Registered Dietitian & Chef

Rebecca Novak is a trained chef with over 10 years of experience in the food industry. She has worked in both fine dining and casual Hungarian restaurants and specializes in creating dishes using fresh, seasonal ingredients. She also loves exploring different cuisines worldwide, which allows her to bring unique flavors and ideas to the recipes she creates for Hungarianchef.com. Read more

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