Description
This bright and buttery Lemon Caper Sauce is tangy, savory, and ready in under 15 minutes. Made with fresh lemon juice, garlic, broth, and capers, it’s the perfect restaurant-quality sauce for chicken, fish, pasta, roasted vegetables, or scallopini. A versatile Mediterranean-inspired sauce that elevates any meal instantly.
Ingredients
Scale
- 3 tablespoons unsalted butter, divided
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour (optional, for thickening)
- 1/2 cup chicken or vegetable broth
- 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon lemon zest
- 2 tablespoons capers, drained and rinsed
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- Optional: chopped fresh parsley for garnish
Instructions
- Melt 2 tablespoons of butter in a small skillet over medium heat.
- Add minced garlic and sauté for 30 seconds without browning.
- Optional: Stir in flour and cook for 1 minute to create a light roux.
- Slowly whisk in broth and let simmer for 2–3 minutes to reduce.
- Add lemon juice, lemon zest, and capers. Simmer for 1 more minute.
- Remove from heat and stir in the final tablespoon of butter for a glossy finish.
- Season with salt and black pepper to taste. Serve immediately.
Notes
- Use fresh lemon juice for the brightest flavor.
- Rinse capers before using to remove excess saltiness.
- Do not brown the garlic—it will turn bitter.
- Broth adds depth; avoid substituting with water.
- Add herbs like parsley or thyme for extra freshness.
- Whisk in a tablespoon of cream for a richer, creamier sauce.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Sauce
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Mediterranean
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 95
- Sugar: 0g
- Sodium: 180mg
- Fat: 9g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 2g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 1g
- Cholesterol: 22mg
Keywords: lemon caper sauce, butter caper sauce, scallopini sauce, lemon caper sauce for chicken, lemon caper sauce for fish, pasta capers recipe