Last Updated on February 21, 2024
Have you ever found yourself craving a saucy, tangy, and lip-smacking addition to your favorite dish? Look no further than Carrabba’s Lemon Butter Sauce. This delightful sauce is a staple in many Italian restaurants, including the renowned Carrabba’s Italian Grill.
Its vibrant flavors and smooth texture make it the perfect complement to a wide variety of dishes, from seafood to vegetables. Join me on a culinary adventure as we explore the secrets behind this delectable sauce and discover how to recreate it in the comfort of your own kitchen.
What is Carrabba’s Lemon Butter Sauce?
Carrabba’s Lemon Butter Sauce is a classic Italian sauce that brings a burst of freshness and zest to any meal. This tangy concoction combines the bold flavors of lemon juice, garlic, and white wine with the silky richness of butter to create a tantalizing sauce that elevates any dish to new heights.
Whether drizzled over grilled fish, stirred into pasta, or served alongside roasted vegetables, this sauce is a versatile and mouthwatering addition to your culinary repertoire.
Why This Recipe Works
1. The Perfect Balance of Flavors
Carrabba’s Lemon Butter Sauce hits all the right notes when it comes to taste. The tartness of fresh lemon juice is balanced by the richness of butter, creating a harmonious blend that dances on your taste buds. The addition of garlic and onions adds depth and complexity, making each bite a delight for your senses.
2. Versatility at Its Finest
One of the reasons Carrabba’s Lemon Butter Sauce is so beloved is its versatility. It pairs well with a variety of proteins, including fish, shrimp, chicken, and even steak.
Additionally, it can be used as a dipping sauce, a finishing sauce, or even as a base for other sauces. Its adaptability allows you to explore endless culinary possibilities and cater to your personal preferences.
3. Easy and Quick to Prepare
With just a handful of simple ingredients and minimal prep time, Carrabba’s Lemon Butter Sauce is a recipe that anyone can master. Whether you’re a seasoned cook or a kitchen novice, this sauce is a breeze to whip up, making it a convenient option for busy weeknight dinners or impromptu gatherings.
4. Elevates Your Dish to Restaurant-Worthy Status
There’s something undeniably satisfying about recreating a restaurant-quality dish in your own kitchen.
Carrabba’s Lemon Butter Sauce is a secret weapon that can transform even the most basic meal into an elegant and flavorful feast. Impress your family and friends with a touch of culinary finesse, leaving them wondering if you’ve secretly trained under an Italian chef.
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Ingredients You’ll Need To Make This Dish
- Clarified Butter: Used as the base fat for the sauce, providing a rich and smooth texture without the milk solids found in regular butter. Clarified butter has a higher smoke point, making it ideal for sautéing without burning.
- Yellow Onions: Adds aromatic flavor and depth to the sauce. The onions are likely sautéed in the clarified butter to release their sweetness and savory notes, enhancing the overall taste profile of the sauce.
- Garlic: Adds pungent and aromatic flavor to the sauce. Garlic is often minced and sautéed with the onions to infuse the sauce with its distinctive taste.
- Fresh Lemon Juice: Provides bright acidity and citrusy flavor to the sauce, giving it a refreshing and tangy taste profile. Lemon juice also helps to balance the richness of the butter.
- Dry White Wine: Adds depth of flavor and acidity to the sauce, enhancing its complexity. The wine is typically deglazed with the onions and garlic, allowing its flavors to meld with the other ingredients.
- Salt: Enhances the flavors of the sauce, balancing the acidity of the lemon juice and adding depth to the overall taste profile.
- Pepper: Adds a hint of heat and spice to the sauce, complementing the other flavors. Freshly ground black pepper is often used for its bold and aromatic taste.
- Cold Butter: Used to finish the sauce and give it a creamy and luxurious texture. The cold butter is whisked into the sauce off the heat, emulsifying with the other ingredients to create a smooth and velvety consistency.
How To Make Carrabba’s Lemon Butter Sauce
Step 1: Prepare the Clarified Butter
To make clarified butter, you’ll need to melt the butter and remove the milk solids, leaving behind pure, clear butterfat. Here’s a step-by-step guide:
1. Cut the butter into small cubes and place them in a small saucepan.
2. Heat the saucepan over low heat, allowing the butter to slowly melt. Do not stir.
3. Once melted, the butter will separate into three layers: foam on top, clarified butter in the middle, and milk solids at the bottom.
4. Skim off the foam with a spoon and discard.
5. Carefully pour the clarified butter (the clear middle layer) into a heatproof container, leaving behind the milk solids.
Step 2: Create the Base
1. Heat the clarified butter in a skillet over medium heat.
2. Add the finely chopped yellow onions and garlic to the skillet and sauté until they become translucent and fragrant. This should take about 2-3 minutes.
3. Pour in the fresh lemon juice and dry white wine.
4. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
Step 3: Incorporate the Cold Butter
1. Cut the cold butter into cubes and gradually add them to the skillet, stirring continuously.
2. As the butter melts, it will emulsify with the other ingredients, creating a smooth and creamy sauce.
3. Continue stirring until all the butter is fully incorporated.
Step 4: Finishing Touches
1. Once the sauce is thick and velvety, remove the skillet from the heat.
2. Taste and adjust the seasoning if necessary.
3. If desired, you can strain the sauce through a fine-mesh sieve to remove any onion or garlic bits, although this step is optional.
Tips & Tricks
– To prevent the sauce from separating, make sure to gradually add in the cold butter and continuously stir until fully incorporated.
– Use fresh lemon juice for the best flavor. Bottled lemon juice can have a slightly different taste and may affect the overall quality of the sauce.
– If you prefer a smoother consistency, you can blend the sauce using an immersion blender or countertop blender.
– Experiment with different herbs and spices to customize the sauce to your liking. Freshly chopped parsley, thyme, or red pepper flakes can add an extra layer of flavor.
– Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator. The sauce will keep for up to five days.
Nutrition Information
While Carrabba’s Lemon Butter Sauce is undeniably delicious, it’s important to be mindful of the nutritional content. Here’s an approximate breakdown of the sauce’s nutritional information per serving:
– Calories: 180
– Fat: 19g
– Saturated Fat: 12g
– Cholesterol: 50mg
– Sodium: 120mg
– Carbohydrates: 1g
– Protein: 1g
Please note that these values are estimates, and they may vary depending on the specific ingredients and quantities used.
How Do You Store The Leftovers?
Carrabba’s Lemon Butter Sauce is a delightful addition to any meal, but chances are you might have some leftovers. To ensure your sauce stays fresh and tasty, follow these simple steps for storing:
1. Allow the sauce to cool down to room temperature.
2. Transfer the sauce to an airtight container, ensuring there is minimal air space.
3. Place the container in the refrigerator. The sauce will keep for up to five days.
4. When ready to use, gently reheat the sauce on the stovetop over low heat while stirring continuously to prevent separation.
What Sides Would Complement Carrabba’s Lemon Butter Sauce?
Carrabba’s Lemon Butter Sauce is the star of the show, but it also loves having supporting cast members that enhance its flavors. Here are three suggestions for sides that pair beautifully with this delectable sauce:
1. Roasted Asparagus
The tender crunchiness of roasted asparagus perfectly complements the vibrant tang of the lemon butter sauce. To prepare, simply toss asparagus spears with olive oil, salt, and pepper, and roast in a preheated oven at 425°F for about 10-15 minutes, or until tender.
2. Creamy Mashed Potatoes
Indulge in a classic comfort food pairing by serving Carrabba’s Lemon Butter Sauce alongside creamy mashed potatoes.
The buttery richness of the potatoes is a match made in heaven for the citrusy sauce. Boil peeled potatoes until soft, mash with butter, milk, salt, and pepper, and serve warm.
3. Grilled Shrimp Skewers
Take your taste buds on a Mediterranean vacation with grilled shrimp skewers. The succulent shrimp, enhanced with a touch of smokiness from the grill, pairs exceptionally well with the lively flavors of the lemon butter sauce. Marinate the shrimp in olive oil, garlic, lemon zest, salt, and pepper before grilling to perfection.
What Alternatives Can You Use for the Ingredients If They Are Not Present in Your Kitchen?
We understand that sometimes you may not have all the ingredients on hand. Here are four suggestions for alternatives that can be used as substitutes:
1. Ghee or coconut oil instead of clarified butter: If you don’t have clarified butter available, ghee or coconut oil can be used as substitutes. They both provide richness to the sauce and bring their own unique flavors to the table.
2. Shallots instead of yellow onions: If you don’t have yellow onions, shallots can be used as a substitute. They have a milder and slightly sweeter flavor, which can add a lovely nuance to the sauce.
3. Apple cider vinegar instead of white wine: If you don’t have dry white wine, apple cider vinegar can be used as a substitute. It adds a tangy note to the sauce, similar to white wine, while also infusing a hint of sweetness.
4. Margarine or vegan butter instead of regular butter: If you follow a vegan or dairy-free diet, margarine or vegan butter can be used instead of regular butter. Make sure to choose a high-quality option that replicates the creamy texture and richness of butter.
Carrabba’s lemon butter sauce
Equipment
- Saucepan
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons Dry White Wine
- 2 tablespoons Cold Butter
- Pepper
- 4 tablespoons Fresh Lemon Juice
- 2 tablespoons Finely Chopped Yellow Onions
- 2 tablespoons Clarified Butter you’ll need about 1/2 stick of butter; directions follow
- Salt
- 2 tablespoons Finely Chopped Garlic
Instructions
Step 1: Prepare the Clarified Butter
- To make clarified butter, you’ll need to melt the butter and remove the milk solids, leaving behind pure, clear butterfat. Here’s a step-by-step guide:
- Cut the butter into small cubes and place them in a small saucepan.
- Heat the saucepan over low heat, allowing the butter to slowly melt. Do not stir.
- Once melted, the butter will separate into three layers: foam on top, clarified butter in the middle, and milk solids at the bottom.
- Skim off the foam with a spoon and discard.
- Carefully pour the clarified butter (the clear middle layer) into a heatproof container, leaving behind the milk solids.
Step 2: Create the Base
- Heat the clarified butter in a skillet over medium heat.
- Add the finely chopped yellow onions and garlic to the skillet and sauté until they become translucent and fragrant. This should take about 2-3 minutes.
- Pour in the fresh lemon juice and dry white wine.
- Season with salt and pepper to taste.
Step 3: Incorporate the Cold Butter
- Cut the cold butter into cubes and gradually add them to the skillet, stirring continuously.
- As the butter melts, it will emulsify with the other ingredients, creating a smooth and creamy sauce.
- Continue stirring until all the butter is fully incorporated.
Step 4: Finishing Touches
- Once the sauce is thick and velvety, remove the skillet from the heat.
- Taste and adjust the seasoning if necessary.
- If desired, you can strain the sauce through a fine-mesh sieve to remove any onion or garlic bits, although this step is optional.
Notes
Nutrition
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1. Can I use salted butter instead of unsalted butter for this sauce?
While you can use salted butter, it is recommended to use unsalted butter in this recipe. This allows you to have better control over the final salt content of the sauce. If you do use salted butter, be mindful of the additional salt you add during the cooking process.
Q2. Can I freeze Carrabba’s Lemon Butter Sauce?
Technically, you can freeze the sauce, but the texture may be affected upon thawing and reheating. Lemon butter sauces have a tendency to separate when frozen and reheated. If you do choose to freeze it, make sure to stir it thoroughly upon reheating to reincorporate the ingredients.
Q3. Can I double the recipe to make a larger batch?
Absolutely! Simply double the quantities of each ingredient to make a larger batch of Carrabba’s Lemon Butter Sauce. Keep in mind that cooking times and proportions may vary slightly, so use your judgment and taste as you go.
Q4. Can I use bottled lemon juice instead of fresh lemon juice?
While bottled lemon juice can be used in a pinch, it is highly recommended to use fresh lemon juice for the best flavor and results. Bottled lemon juice can sometimes have a slightly different taste and may lack the bright acidity that fresh lemon juice provides.
Q5. Can I substitute lime juice for lemon juice in this sauce?
Yes, you can substitute lime juice for lemon juice if you prefer a different citrus flavor. Lime juice will bring its own unique tanginess and freshness to the sauce, creating a slightly different profile that pairs well with various dishes.
Q6. Can I make this sauce in advance?
Yes, Carrabba’s Lemon Butter Sauce can be made in advance and stored in the refrigerator for up to five days. When ready to use, gently reheat the sauce on the stovetop over low heat while stirring continuously to prevent separation.
Conclusion
Carrabba’s Lemon Butter Sauce is a culinary gem that adds a burst of flavor to any dish it graces. Its tangy, creamy, and zesty notes are guaranteed to awaken your palate and elevate your dining experience.
By following the simple steps outlined in this article, you can recreate this beloved sauce in your own kitchen, impressing your loved ones with your culinary prowess.
So, why not embark on a flavorful adventure and let Carrabba’s Lemon Butter Sauce be the star of your next meal? Your taste buds will thank you.
