Ina Garten’s Brown Butter Sage Sauce is a simple yet incredibly flavorful sauce that elevates pasta, gnocchi, or roasted vegetables with its nutty and aromatic flavors. Made with just a handful of ingredients, this sauce uses browned butter, fresh sage, and a touch of lemon to create a rich and fragrant dish. Perfect for a quick weeknight meal or a special dinner, this sauce adds a gourmet touch to any recipe.
What Is Brown Butter Sage Sauce?
Brown Butter Sage Sauce is a classic Italian sauce made by gently browning butter until it turns nutty and aromatic, then adding fresh sage leaves and a squeeze of lemon for brightness. The sauce is rich and earthy, with the crispy sage adding both texture and flavor. It’s commonly paired with pasta, especially gnocchi, but it also works well with roasted vegetables or drizzled over fish or chicken.
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Why You Should Try This Recipe
- Quick and Easy: This sauce comes together in just minutes, making it perfect for busy weeknights.
- Rich, Nutty Flavor: The brown butter adds depth and richness to any dish.
- Elegant and Versatile: It pairs well with pasta, gnocchi, roasted vegetables, or proteins like chicken or fish.
- Minimal Ingredients: With just butter, sage, and lemon, this sauce is both simple and delicious.
Ingredients Needed to Make Ina Garten Brown Butter Sage Sauce
- 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter
- 12 fresh sage leaves
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Freshly grated Parmesan cheese (optional, for garnish)
Instructions to Make Ina Garten Brown Butter Sage Sauce
Step 1: Brown the Butter
- Melt the butter: In a medium skillet, melt the butter over medium heat.
- Cook until browned: Continue to cook the butter, stirring occasionally. After 3-5 minutes, the butter will begin to foam, and the milk solids will turn golden brown, giving off a nutty aroma. Watch carefully to avoid burning the butter.
Step 2: Add the Sage
- Fry the sage leaves: Once the butter has browned, add the fresh sage leaves to the skillet. Cook for about 1 minute, allowing the leaves to crisp up and infuse the butter with their earthy flavor.
Step 3: Finish the Sauce
- Add lemon juice: Remove the skillet from heat and stir in the lemon juice. This adds a bit of brightness and balances the richness of the butter.
- Season: Add salt and pepper to taste, adjusting the seasoning to your preference.
Step 4: Serve the Sauce
- Use immediately: Drizzle the brown butter sage sauce over pasta, gnocchi, or roasted vegetables. If desired, sprinkle with freshly grated Parmesan cheese for extra flavor.
What Goes Well with Ina Garten Brown Butter Sage Sauce
- Gnocchi: This sauce is a classic pairing with pillowy gnocchi, where the richness of the butter complements the soft texture of the dumplings.
- Ravioli: Use this sauce with cheese or pumpkin-filled ravioli for an elegant dish.
- Pasta: Toss with simple pasta like fettuccine or spaghetti for a quick, delicious meal.
- Roasted Vegetables: Drizzle over roasted butternut squash, sweet potatoes, or Brussels sprouts for a warm, savory flavor.
- Fish or Chicken: This sauce works wonderfully as a topping for roasted or grilled fish and chicken, adding richness and flavor.
Essential Tips for Perfecting Ina Garten Brown Butter Sage Sauce
- Watch the butter carefully: Once the butter starts browning, it can burn quickly. Keep an eye on it, stirring frequently, to achieve the perfect golden-brown color.
- Use fresh sage: Fresh sage leaves provide the best flavor and texture in this sauce. If you only have dried sage, it won’t give the same crispness, but can still be used in a pinch.
- Don’t skip the lemon: The lemon juice adds a needed brightness to balance the richness of the butter.
- Serve immediately: Brown butter sauce is best served right away, as it can solidify when cooled.
Variations of Ina Garten Brown Butter Sage Sauce
- Garlic Brown Butter: Add minced garlic to the butter when it starts to foam for a garlicky twist on the classic sauce.
- Nutty Brown Butter: Stir in a handful of toasted pine nuts or walnuts at the end for added texture and flavor.
- Creamy Brown Butter Sauce: Add a splash of cream to the sauce for a richer, more indulgent version.
- Spicy Brown Butter: Add a pinch of red pepper flakes for a bit of heat.
Storing Ina Garten Brown Butter Sage Sauce: Best Practices
- Refrigerate leftovers: If you have leftover sauce, allow it to cool and store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- Reheat gently: Reheat the sauce over low heat until it melts and becomes smooth again. Avoid high heat to prevent the butter from burning.
Reheating Ina Garten Brown Butter Sage Sauce: Best Practices
- Stovetop method: Place the sauce in a skillet over low heat and stir gently until it melts and warms through.
- Avoid microwave: The microwave can cause the butter to separate or overheat, so it’s best to reheat it on the stovetop.
How Can I Make Ina Garten Brown Butter Sage Sauce Healthier?
To make this sauce a bit lighter, try the following adjustments:
- Use less butter: Reduce the amount of butter by half, and substitute the rest with olive oil for a healthier fat balance.
- Skip the Parmesan: For a lower-calorie version, omit the Parmesan cheese garnish.
- Add vegetables: Serve the sauce over a large portion of roasted vegetables or spiralized zucchini noodles instead of pasta.
Nutrition Value (Per Serving, Approximate)
- Calories: 170
- Protein: 1g
- Carbohydrates: 0g
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 11g
- Cholesterol: 45mg
- Sodium: 120mg
- Sugar: 0g
FAQs
How do I know when brown butter is ready?
Brown butter is ready when it turns a golden-brown color and has a nutty aroma. The milk solids will sink to the bottom of the pan and turn brown. Be sure to stir occasionally and watch it carefully to avoid burning.
Can I use dried sage instead of fresh for brown butter sage sauce?
While fresh sage is ideal for this recipe, you can use dried sage in a pinch. However, dried sage won’t crisp up like fresh leaves and may provide a slightly less vibrant flavor. Use about 1/3 of the amount since dried herbs are more concentrated.
What should I do if my butter burns?
If your butter burns, it’s best to start over. Burnt butter can taste bitter and overpower the sauce. To avoid this, keep the heat on medium and stir frequently once the butter starts to foam.
Can I make brown butter sage sauce ahead of time?
Brown butter sage sauce is best served fresh, but you can make it ahead of time and store it in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat gently on the stovetop before serving to avoid separating the butter.
Final Words
Ina Garten’s Brown Butter Sage Sauce is a quick and elegant way to elevate any meal. With its nutty butter flavor and aromatic sage, this sauce adds a gourmet touch to simple dishes like pasta, gnocchi, and roasted vegetables.
Other Yummy Recipes:
- Ina Garten Crab Cakes
- Barefoot Contessa Tea Sandwiches
- Ina Garten Lemon Blueberry Bread
- Ina Garten White Cake
- Pioneer Woman Pumpkin Bars
- Barefoot Contessa Turkey Tetrazzini
Ina Garten Brown Butter Sage Sauce
- Prep Time: 5
- Cook Time: 5
- Total Time: 10 minutes
- Yield: 4 1x
- Category: Sauce
- Method: Pan-frying
- Cuisine: Italian
Description
Brown Butter Sage Sauce is a classic Italian sauce made by gently browning butter until it turns nutty and aromatic, then adding fresh sage leaves and a squeeze of lemon for brightness. The sauce is rich and earthy, with the crispy sage adding both texture and flavor. It’s commonly paired with pasta, especially gnocchi, but it also works well with roasted vegetables or drizzled over fish or chicken.
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter
- 12 fresh sage leaves
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Freshly grated Parmesan cheese (optional, for garnish)
Instructions
Step 1: Brown the Butter
- Melt the butter: In a medium skillet, melt the butter over medium heat.
- Cook until browned: Continue to cook the butter, stirring occasionally. After 3-5 minutes, the butter will begin to foam, and the milk solids will turn golden brown, giving off a nutty aroma. Watch carefully to avoid burning the butter.
Step 2: Add the Sage
- Fry the sage leaves: Once the butter has browned, add the fresh sage leaves to the skillet. Cook for about 1 minute, allowing the leaves to crisp up and infuse the butter with their earthy flavor.
Step 3: Finish the Sauce
- Add lemon juice: Remove the skillet from heat and stir in the lemon juice. This adds a bit of brightness and balances the richness of the butter.
- Season: Add salt and pepper to taste, adjusting the seasoning to your preference.
Step 4: Serve the Sauce
- Use immediately: Drizzle the brown butter sage sauce over pasta, gnocchi, or roasted vegetables. If desired, sprinkle with freshly grated Parmesan cheese for extra flavor.
