Simple Lemon Caper Sauce Recipe
A simple and tangy lemon caper sauce that elevates any dish with its bright citrus flavor and briny capers. Perfect for drizzling over fish, chicken, pasta, or vegetables, this easy sauce comes together quickly using staple ingredients like butter, olive oil, garlic, and lemon.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 8 minutes
- Total Time: 13 minutes
- Yield: About 1/2 cup sauce, serves 4 1x
- Category: Sauce
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Gluten Free
Ingredients
Scale
Sauce Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 1/4 cup dry white wine or chicken broth
- 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice (about 1/2 a lemon)
- 2 tablespoons capers, rinsed and drained
- 1 teaspoon lemon zest
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
- 1 tablespoon fresh parsley, chopped (optional, for garnish)
Instructions
- Heat Butter and Oil: In a medium skillet, heat the butter and olive oil over medium heat until the butter melts and starts to bubble, preparing the base for your sauce.
- Sauté Garlic: Add the minced garlic and sauté for 1–2 minutes, stirring constantly until it’s fragrant but not browned to avoid bitterness.
- Deglaze with Wine: Pour in the white wine or chicken broth, then stir and simmer for 2–3 minutes to let the alcohol cook off if using wine, or to slightly reduce the broth.
- Add Lemon and Capers: Stir in the fresh lemon juice, capers, and lemon zest. Season with salt and black pepper to taste. Cook for an additional 1–2 minutes to meld the flavors.
- Finish with Parsley (Optional): Remove the skillet from heat and stir in the chopped parsley if you want a fresh herbal note and colorful garnish.
- Serve: Drizzle the warm sauce over your choice of fish, chicken, pasta, or vegetables and enjoy immediately for best flavor.
Notes
- Use dry white wine for a more authentic flavor, or substitute with chicken broth for a non-alcoholic version.
- Be careful not to brown the garlic as it can develop a bitter taste.
- This sauce pairs especially well with pan-seared fish like sole, cod, or salmon.
- Can be made gluten-free by confirming your broth or wine is gluten-free.
- For a dairy-free option, substitute butter with additional olive oil.
- Best served fresh but can be reheated gently on the stovetop.
Keywords: lemon caper sauce, simple sauce, fish sauce, citrus sauce, easy sauce recipe, white wine sauce, garlic sauce, buttery sauce
Find it online: https://bitesizedbenny.com/simple-lemon-caper-sauce-recipe/
