Whip up a batch of this Lemon Pepper Sauce in just minutes for an easy way to liven up any dish! It’s perfect for adding a bright, zesty flavor to everything from chicken and seafood to veggies, pasta, and more.
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If you’re looking for a simple way to take dinner to the next level, this lemon pepper sauce recipe is a must-try! With fresh lemon juice and zest, butter, black pepper, garlic, and honey, it’s the perfect combination of savory, sweet, and zesty.
We love tossing this lemon pepper butter sauce with chicken wings, but it also makes a great addition to grilled fish, roasted vegetables, pasta, and rice. For more recipes full of lemon flavor, check out my lemon orzo salad, lemon dump cake, and lemon ricotta cookies next.
Ingredients
- Butter: I recommend using unsalted butter, as there is additional salt in the sauce. If you only have salted butter on hand, you may want to cut back on the amount of salt you add.
- Garlic: Minced garlic adds a savory depth of flavor to the lemon pepper chicken sauce.
- Lemon: You’ll need both freshly squeezed lemon juice and lemon zest.
- Seasonings: Black pepper adds a kick, while salt enhances and balances the flavors of this lemon pepper wing sauce. I recommend using freshly ground black pepper for the best flavor.
- Honey: Adds a touch of sweetness to the sauce and balances the acidity from the lemon.
See the recipe card below for exact ingredient amounts, nutritional information, and detailed instructions.
Variations
- Dairy-Free: Swap the butter for a plant-based version or use olive oil to make this lemon pepper sauce for chicken dairy-free.
- Vegan: Use plant-based butter or olive oil and substitute agave or maple syrup for the honey for a vegan version. It works great as a homemade lemon pepper marinade for tofu!
- Spicy: Add a pinch of red pepper flakes or a little hot sauce for a bit of extra heat that balances nicely with the lemon and honey.
- Lime: Swap the fresh lemons for limes! They work equally well for a slightly different flavor profile.
How to Make a Lemon Pepper Butter Sauce
To get started making this homemade lemon pepper sauce, mince the garlic and zest your lemon.
Step 1: Melt the butter. Add the butter to a small saucepan and melt over low heat.
Step 2: Add remaining ingredients. Stir in the garlic and cook until fragrant, about 1-2 minutes. Then, add the lemon juice, lemon zest, salt, pepper, and honey, and whisk until smooth.
Step 3: Simmer and stir. Simmer the sauce while stirring constantly for 1-2 minutes to allow the flavors to meld together. Remove from the heat and serve as desired.
Expert Tips
- Use hot wings: If you’re using this lemon pepper sauce for wings, toss the sauce with hot, freshly cooked wings for best results. The heat from the wings helps the sauce adhere better, creating an even coating. Mix the cooked wings and sauce together in a large bowl right before serving.
- Store in the refrigerator: The sauce will keep for up to 5 days when stored in an airtight container in the fridge. Reheat on the stovetop over low heat or in 30-second increments in the microwave.
- Zesting the lemon: Make sure you zest lightly so you just get the yellow surface of the lemon. Avoid the pith which is quite bitter.
Serving Suggestions
Here are some tasty ways to use this lemon pepper butter sauce:
- This wet lemon pepper wing sauce recipe is perfect for tossing with these easy grilled chicken wings! It’s also great with grilled chicken breasts, grilled shrimp, or grilled salmon.
- Drizzle this sauce onto veggies like this instant pot asparagus, this slow cooked corn on the cob, or these roasted Brussels sprouts and sweet potatoes for a burst of flavor.
- You can also mix the sauce with pasta, rice, or cooked quinoa and steamed veggies for a super easy dish.
Recipe FAQs
It’s common for garlic to turn blue or even green when it comes in contact with an acid, such as lemon juice, or for fresh garlic to react with trace minerals in the butter. To keep this from happening, it’s important to cook the garlic over low heat for a minute or two before adding the lemon juice. I also recommend using older garlic cloves that have dried out slightly over fresh ones.
If you prefer a thicker sauce, mix together ½ teaspoon of cornstarch with 1 teaspoon of water. Whisk the mixture into the sauce and simmer until it thickens slightly, about 1-2 minutes. It will continue to thicken as it cools.
It's not that spicy at all. It has a slight kick from the black pepper but it isn't overwhelming.
More Delicious Sauces
Lemon Pepper Butter Sauce
Ingredients
- ½ cup unsalted butter
- 3 garlic cloves minced
- 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon lemon zest
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon black pepper or more to taste
- 1 tablespoon honey
Instructions
- Melt the butter in a small saucepan over low heat.
- Add the minced garlic and cook for 1-2 minutes, stirring frequently, until fragrant.
- Whisk in the lemon juice, lemon zest, salt, black pepper, and honey until smooth.
- Simmer for 1-2 minutes, stirring constantly, to blend the flavors.
- Remove from heat and toss immediately with freshly cooked wings or use as a dipping sauce.
Notes
- Be sure to saute the garlic briefly before adding the lemon juice to prevent it from turning blue or green.
- Store the sauce in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
- The sauce can be reheated in a saucepan over low heat, stirring frequently, or in the microwave in 30-second intervals, stirring between each one.
Megan says
Delicious and has a clean taste to it Used some on crab cakes Wonderful.
Peg says
Delicious. Used this recipe to top my crab cakes. Delicious
Karen says
This would be so perfect on crab cakes! Yum!
Karen says
Yes! So tasty on seafood!