Name: Creamy Garlic Sauce Recipe Card
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 5 min
Ingredients: Brown Onion:; Garlic:; Flat-Leaf Parsley:; Fresh Thyme:; Olive Oil and Clarified Butter:; White Wine:; Heavy Cream:; Cracked Black Pepper and Sea Salt:

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This creamy garlic sauce is just what you need to make your food taste better — a rich, smooth, and tasty sauce. This sauce is excellent with pasta, roasted veggies, or grilled meats because it has the spicy tastes of garlic and onion and the creaminess of cream. Whether you’re a seasoned chef or a beginner in the kitchen, this simple creamy garlic sauce recipe will help you make a delicious sauce quickly. It’s perfect for dishes like creamy garlic sauce pasta or even creamy garlic chicken. You’ll need a few simple but important ingredients to make this creamy garlic sauce that is sure to impress.

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Notes Ingredients

To make this creamy garlic sauce, you’ll need a few basic yet essential ingredients. Each one plays a crucial role in bringing out the best flavor and texture in your sauce.

Brown Onion: Onions hold many tasty recipes together by adding sweetness and depth. Cutting the onion into tiny pieces makes it easier for it to soften and mix into the creamy garlic sauce. You can save the onion skins and use them for making stock if you’d like.
Garlic: The main flavoring in this sauce is garlic, which gives the dish its strong taste. Cut the garlic into thin slices and cook them in oil to release their smell and give the sauce its unique flavor.
Flat-Leaf Parsley: Fresh parsley helps balance out the richness of the sauce by adding a fresh, green note. A rough chop is enough to infuse the parsley into the creamy garlic sauce.
Fresh Thyme: Thyme adds a mild natural flavor to the sauce that complements the garlic and onion. You can substitute it with rosemary, but thyme is the classic choice for creamy garlic sauce.
Olive Oil and Clarified Butter: These fats work together to prevent burning while sautéing. Clarified butter’s higher smoke point makes it ideal for sautéing, while olive oil prevents the butter from turning brown too quickly.
White Wine: White wine adds acidity and sweetness, clearing the pan and enhancing the browned flavors of the garlic and onion. You can replace the wine with veggie or chicken stock for a non-alcoholic version.
Heavy Cream: Heavy cream gives the sauce its smooth, rich texture and is the key to making it the luxurious, creamy garlic sauce you crave.
Cracked Black Pepper and Sea Salt: These seasonings bring out the full flavor of the sauce. Adjust them to your taste, remembering you can always add more, but you can’t take it out!

Once you have these ingredients ready, you can easily make this creamy garlic sauce, which will pair beautifully with a wide range of dishes!

How to Make Creamy Garlic Sauce

A deliciously rich and smooth creamy garlic sauce served over pasta, garnished with fresh herbs. The sauce is thick and velvety, with hints of garlic and herbs.

Prepare the Ingredients:
Start by prepping the vegetables. Cut a brown onion in half, remove the skin, and dice it into small pieces. If you want to save money, you can save the onion skins and make stock with them. Next, cut three garlic cloves in half and lay them flat for easy thin slicing. Set them aside. Roughly chop fresh thyme and flat-leaf parsley. The size doesn’t matter much, as long as they’re small enough to release their flavors into the sauce.

Cooking the Sauce:
Place a large, heavy pan on high heat. Add one tablespoon of olive oil and two tablespoons of clarified butter. The olive oil helps prevent the butter from burning too quickly, while the clarified butter gives the sauce a rich base. Once the butter has melted, add the diced onions. Stir frequently, cooking them for about three minutes, until they become translucent and lightly golden. After the onions are softened, add the garlic slices and sauté for 45 seconds, stirring often to release the garlic’s aromatic oils. Be careful not to burn the garlic.

Deglazing with White Wine:
After the garlic has sautéed, pour in two tablespoons of white wine. The wine may flame up, so be cautious. Stir it in for about one minute to cook off the alcohol. If you’d rather not use wine, substitute it with veggie or chicken stock.

Add the Cream:
Once the wine has evaporated, pour in 400 milliliters of heavy cream. Add the chopped parsley, thyme, sea salt, and cracked black pepper. Mix everything well, then bring it to a boil. Once boiling, reduce the heat and let the sauce simmer for 8 minutes, stirring often. This will allow the sauce to thicken and the flavors to blend together perfectly.

Final Touches:
After 8 minutes, the sauce should be thick and shiny. Taste and adjust the seasoning, adding more salt or pepper if needed. Let the sauce simmer for an additional two minutes before removing it from the heat.

Nutrition Information

Nutrition provided is an estimate. It will vary based on specific ingredients used.

Cook Time: 5 minutes
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Course: Sauce
Kitchen Type: Home Kitchen
Number of Servings: 4 servings

This creamy garlic sauce is a fantastic addition to any meal, adding richness and depth to your dishes. You can even make a double batch to store in the fridge for later use, perfect for those busy nights when you need a flavorful sauce in a hurry! Enjoy!

Tips for the Perfect Creamy Garlic Sauce

Use Fresh Garlic: Fresh garlic will give your sauce a much bolder and aromatic flavor than pre-minced garlic. If you have a garlic press, using it will release more oils and enhance the overall flavor.
Adjust Consistency: If your sauce is too thick, simply add a little more cream or stock to thin it out to your desired consistency. If you prefer a thicker sauce, let it simmer for a few more minutes.
Use Clarified Butter: Clarified butter has a higher smoke point than regular butter, making it perfect for sautéing without burning. It also adds a wonderful richness to the sauce that regular butter can’t match.
Simmer for Depth: Let the sauce simmer on low heat for at least 8 minutes to allow the flavors to develop. The longer the simmer, the more the ingredients will meld together, creating a beautifully rich flavor.
Taste and Adjust Seasoning: Always taste your sauce before finishing. You may want to add extra salt, pepper, or herbs depending on your preference. Fresh herbs like basil or rosemary can also be added for a unique twist.

Variations

Cheesy Garlic Chicken Wraps: Add some grated Parmesan cheese in the last minute of cooking for extra flavor and creaminess. This also makes the sauce even more irresistible for cheesy garlic chicken wraps.

Vegan Version: Substitute the heavy cream with coconut cream or another non-dairy cream alternative to make the sauce vegan-friendly. Also, swap the butter for plant-based butter to keep the flavors intact.

Spicy Garlic Sauce: Add red pepper flakes, hot sauce, or chopped fresh chili peppers to the sauce for a spicy twist. This will balance the garlic without overpowering the sauce.

Lemon Garlic Sauce: For a zesty kick, squeeze in some fresh lemon juice, which complements the rich creaminess and brightens up the flavors of garlic.

Mushroom Garlic Sauce: For a richer, umami flavor, sauté sliced mushrooms with the garlic and onion. The mushrooms enhance the sauce’s meaty texture, making it perfect for serving with meats.

Serving Ideas

Pasta: Combine the creamy garlic sauce with your favorite pasta for a quick and elegant meal. It pairs especially well with spaghetti, fettuccine, or penne, though any pasta will work wonderfully.

Grilled Chicken: Serve the creamy garlic sauce for chicken with grilled chicken breast or roasted chicken thighs for a savory, comforting dish.

Roasted Vegetables: Drizzle the sauce over roasted vegetables like broccoli, carrots, or potatoes for a delicious side dish. The sauce makes roasted veggies even more delectable.

Mashed Potatoes: Skip the gravy and top your mashed potatoes with creamy garlic sauce for a rich, flavorful twist.

Seafood: The rich texture of the creamy garlic sauce pairs beautifully with shrimp, scallops, or fish, making it a perfect complement to seafood dishes.

More Sauce Recipes

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FAQs

Can I make this creamy garlic sauce ahead of time?

Yes! The creamy garlic sauce can be made ahead of time and stored in the fridge for up to three days in an airtight container. Reheat it gently over low heat, stirring frequently to prevent it from separating.

Can I freeze creamy garlic sauce?

It’s not recommended to freeze this sauce due to its dairy content, which can change the texture when reheated. It’s best stored in the fridge for up to three days.

What can I use instead of white wine?

If you prefer not to use wine, you can substitute it with chicken or veggie stock, which will add depth and flavor to the sauce without any alcohol.

Can I make this sauce without cream?

Yes! You can use milk or a non-dairy cream alternative to make a lighter version. However, the sauce will not be as thick and creamy as the original.

How can I adjust the garlic flavor?

If you love garlic, add more cloves! You can also roast the garlic ahead of time for a sweeter, milder taste. If garlic is too strong for you, reduce the amount to your liking.

Creamy Garlic Sauce Recipe Card

Max

This thick, smooth, and tasty garlic sauce will make any dish taste better. Because it has both the spicy and creamy tastes of garlic and onion, this sauce goes well with pasta, roasted vegetables, or grilled meats. This easy creamy garlic sauce recipe will help you make a tasty sauce quickly, no matter how much experience you have in the kitchen.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 5

Cook Time 5

Course sauce

Cuisine American

Servings 4

Calories 275 kcal

Ingredients

Brown Onion: Onions hold many tasty recipes together by adding sweetness and depth. Cutting the onion into tiny pieces makes it easier for it to soften and mix into the creamy garlic sauce. You can save the onion skins and use them for making stock if you’d like.
Garlic: The main flavoring in this sauce is garlic which gives the dish its strong taste. Cut the garlic into thin slices and cook them in oil to release their smell and give the sauce its unique flavor.
Flat-Leaf Parsley: Fresh parsley helps balance out the richness of the sauce by adding a fresh green note. A rough chop is enough to infuse the parsley into the creamy garlic sauce.
Fresh Thyme: Thyme adds a mild natural flavor to the sauce that complements the garlic and onion. You can substitute it with rosemary but thyme is the classic choice for creamy garlic sauce.
Olive Oil and Clarified Butter: These fats work together to prevent burning while sautéing. Clarified butter’s higher smoke point makes it ideal for sautéing while olive oil prevents the butter from turning brown too quickly.
White Wine: White wine adds acidity and sweetness clearing the pan and enhancing the browned flavors of the garlic and onion. You can replace the wine with veggie or chicken stock for a non-alcoholic version.
Heavy Cream: Heavy cream gives the sauce its smooth rich texture and is the key to making it the luxurious, creamy garlic sauce you crave.
Cracked Black Pepper and Sea Salt: These seasonings bring out the full flavor of the sauce. Adjust them to your taste remembering you can always add more, but you can’t take it out!

Instructions

Prepare the Ingredients:
Start by prepping the vegetables. Cut a brown onion in half, remove the skin, and dice it into small pieces. If you want to save money, you can save the onion skins and make stock with them. Next, cut three garlic cloves in half and lay them flat for easy thin slicing. Set them aside. Roughly chop fresh thyme and flat-leaf parsley. The size doesn’t matter much, as long as they’re small enough to release their flavors into the sauce.
Cooking the Sauce:
Place a large, heavy pan on high heat. Add one tablespoon of olive oil and two tablespoons of clarified butter. The olive oil helps prevent the butter from burning too quickly, while the clarified butter gives the sauce a rich base. Once the butter has melted, add the diced onions. Stir frequently, cooking them for about three minutes, until they become translucent and lightly golden. After the onions are softened, add the garlic slices and sauté for 45 seconds, stirring often to release the garlic’s aromatic oils. Be careful not to burn the garlic.
Deglazing with White Wine:
After the garlic has sautéed, pour in two tablespoons of white wine. The wine may flame up, so be cautious. Stir it in for about one minute to cook off the alcohol. If you’d rather not use wine, substitute it with veggie or chicken stock.
Add the Cream:
Once the wine has evaporated, pour in 400 milliliters of heavy cream. Add the chopped parsley, thyme, sea salt, and cracked black pepper. Mix everything well, then bring it to a boil. Once boiling, reduce the heat and let the sauce simmer for 8 minutes, stirring often. This will allow the sauce to thicken and the flavors to blend together perfectly.
Final Touches:
After 8 minutes, the sauce should be thick and shiny. Taste and adjust the seasoning, adding more salt or pepper if needed. Let the sauce simmer for an additional two minutes before removing it from the heat.

Notes

Use Fresh Garlic: Fresh garlic will give your sauce a much bolder and aromatic flavor than pre-minced garlic. If you have a garlic press, using it will release more oils and enhance the overall flavor.
Adjust Consistency: If your sauce is too thick, simply add a little more cream or stock to thin it out to your desired consistency. If you prefer a thicker sauce, let it simmer for a few more minutes.
Use Clarified Butter: Clarified butter has a higher smoke point than regular butter, making it perfect for sautéing without burning. It also adds a wonderful richness to the sauce that regular butter can’t match.
Simmer for Depth: Let the sauce simmer on low heat for at least 8 minutes to allow the flavors to develop. The longer the simmer, the more the ingredients will meld together, creating a beautifully rich flavor.
Taste and Adjust Seasoning: Always taste your sauce before finishing. You may want to add extra salt, pepper, or herbs depending on your preference. Fresh herbs like basil or rosemary can also be added for a unique twist.