If you’re craving a luxurious sauce that packs a fiery punch, look no further than this Spicy Garlic Butter Sauce. It’s gloriously rich, beautifully garlicky, and just the right amount of spicy to wake up everything it touches. Whether you’re spooning it over juicy steak, tossing it with shrimp, or slipping it over a bowl of pasta, this sauce will light up your dinner table and keep your taste buds guessing. Friends and family will ask for the recipe—guaranteed!

Spicy Garlic Butter Sauce Recipe - Recipe Image

Ingredients You’ll Need

This Spicy Garlic Butter Sauce is all about bold, simple flavors that come together in perfect harmony. Each ingredient plays a key part in creating that irresistible flavor and velvety texture, so don’t skip a thing!

Unsalted butter (½ cup): The foundation of our sauce, bringing rich creaminess and helping all the flavors meld together.
Garlic cloves, minced (6): Serious garlicky goodness—mince fresh for the best punch and sweetness.
Crushed red pepper flakes (1 teaspoon): The main source of heat—adjust more or less for your perfect spice level.
Hot sauce, such as Frank’s RedHot (1 tablespoon): It adds tangy heat while balancing out the buttery richness.
Lemon juice (1 tablespoon): The natural zippiness brightens up the flavors and keeps the sauce from feeling too heavy.
Smoked paprika (¼ teaspoon): For a gentle smokiness that deepens the overall flavor—don’t skip it if you love a little complexity!
Salt (¼ teaspoon): Brings all the ingredients together—season to your own taste.
Black pepper (¼ teaspoon): Adds depth and a subtle kick to round out the flavor profile.
Fresh parsley, chopped (1 tablespoon, optional): A pop of color and herbal freshness that makes the sauce extra inviting.

How to Make Spicy Garlic Butter Sauce

Step 1: Melt the Butter

Start by placing a small saucepan over medium heat, and drop in the butter. Let it melt slowly, swirling the pan occasionally. Melting the butter gently keeps it creamy and prevents it from browning—think silky, not nutty.

Step 2: Sauté the Garlic

Add the minced garlic to your melted butter. Sauté for about 1 to 2 minutes, stirring constantly, until the garlic turns wonderfully fragrant but not brown. This coaxes out the savory sweetness of the garlic without a hint of bitterness.

Step 3: Spice Things Up

Sprinkle in the crushed red pepper flakes and pour in your hot sauce next. These two bring that signature Spicy Garlic Butter Sauce intensity, infusing the butter with flavor and heat. Don’t forget to stir so nothing scorches!

Step 4: Brighten & Season

Squeeze in the lemon juice, add the smoked paprika, salt, and black pepper. The lemon juice lifts the flavors, the paprika adds a smoky edge, and the seasoning ties everything together. Allow the sauce to simmer for 2 to 3 minutes, letting it thicken slightly and marry together perfectly.

Step 5: Finish with Fresh Parsley

Finally, take the pan off the heat and stir in the chopped parsley if you’re using it. The parsley brings a fresh, vibrant finish to the sauce—totally optional, but highly recommended for that restaurant-worthy touch. Pour your Spicy Garlic Butter Sauce over whatever your heart desires and enjoy it warm!

How to Serve Spicy Garlic Butter Sauce

Garnishes

Give your Spicy Garlic Butter Sauce a truly eye-catching finish with a sprinkle of extra parsley, fresh chives, or even thinly sliced green onions. A scattering of lemon zest can also brighten up the presentation, making every spoonful look as good as it tastes.

Side Dishes

This sauce begs to be soaked up! Serve it with crusty baguette slices, steamed rice, or a simple bowl of pasta to catch every drop. For a fresh and crunchy contrast, pair it with grilled or roasted vegetables—broccoli, asparagus, or green beans are especially wonderful companions.

Creative Ways to Present

Drizzle Spicy Garlic Butter Sauce over sizzling grilled shrimp or lobster tails for an instant upgrade. Use it to finish grilled chicken or steak, or toss roasted potatoes in it for a side dish everyone will devour. You can even spoon it into a small ramekin as a dipping sauce—perfect for seafood platters or game-day appetizers.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

If you happen to have any Spicy Garlic Butter Sauce left (it does go fast!), transfer it to an airtight glass container and refrigerate. It will keep beautifully for up to 4 days, making it easy to enjoy that bold flavor all week long.

Freezing

Looking to make a big batch ahead of time? This sauce freezes like a dream. Pour cooled Spicy Garlic Butter Sauce into an ice cube tray, freeze, and transfer the cubes to a zip-top bag. You’ll have instant flavor bombs at your fingertips for up to 1 month.

Reheating

To gently rewarm, place the sauce in a small saucepan over low heat or microwave in short bursts, stirring often. Be careful not to overheat, as this can separate the butter—just heat until it’s silky and pourable again.

FAQs

Can I use salted butter instead of unsalted?

You can, but make sure to taste before adding extra salt. Salted butter may make the finished sauce saltier, so you might want to adjust that ¼ teaspoon of salt or skip it entirely.

How spicy is this sauce?

It has a moderate level of heat from the red pepper flakes and hot sauce. If you love things fiery, add a bit more; if you’re sensitive, reduce the red pepper or hot sauce for a milder kick. Taste as you go!

Is Spicy Garlic Butter Sauce gluten-free?

Yes, it is naturally gluten-free, provided your hot sauce is gluten-free (most are, but always double-check the label if you’re sensitive).

What proteins pair best with this sauce?

Oh, the list is long! Try it with grilled shrimp, lobster, steak, chicken, or even roasted vegetables. The Spicy Garlic Butter Sauce is especially heavenly on seafood, but it works wonders just about anywhere you want richness and big flavor.

Can I make it dairy-free?

Yes! Swap the butter for your favorite plant-based butter substitute. It will change the flavor a bit, but you’ll still get an irresistibly spicy, garlicky sauce to enjoy with all your meals.

Final Thoughts

You can never have enough flavor-forward sauces in your kitchen repertoire, and this Spicy Garlic Butter Sauce is sure to become your secret weapon. Give it a try and see how it transforms the simplest dishes into something truly unforgettable. Happy cooking—and don’t forget to let me know what you think!

Spicy Garlic Butter Sauce Recipe

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.7 from 26 reviews

Author: Emma
Total Time: 10 minutes
Yield: 4 servings 1x
Diet: Vegetarian

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Description

A zesty and flavorful Spicy Garlic Butter Sauce recipe that adds a kick to your favorite dishes. Perfect for seafood, grilled meats, pasta, and vegetables.

Ingredients

Scale

Ingredients:

½ cup unsalted butter
6 garlic cloves (minced)
1 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
1 tablespoon hot sauce (such as Frank’s RedHot)
1 tablespoon lemon juice
¼ teaspoon smoked paprika
¼ teaspoon salt
¼ teaspoon black pepper
1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley (optional)

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Instructions

Melt Butter: In a small saucepan over medium heat, melt the butter.
Add Garlic: Add minced garlic and sauté for 1–2 minutes until fragrant.
Season: Stir in red pepper flakes, hot sauce, lemon juice, smoked paprika, salt, and black pepper.
Simmer: Let the sauce simmer for 2–3 minutes until slightly thickened.
Finish: Remove from heat, stir in chopped parsley, and serve warm over your favorite dishes.

Notes

Adjust the heat level by modifying the amount of red pepper flakes or hot sauce.
This sauce can be prepared in advance and gently reheated before serving.

Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 5 minutes
Category: Sauce
Method: Stovetop
Cuisine: American