Golden Bliss: Ina Garten’s Dreamy Brown Butter Sage Sauce Recipe

When fall arrives, our kitchen counters come alive with the rich, nutty aromas of brown butter sage sauce that whispers comfort directly into the heart.

Ina Garten’s culinary magic turns simple ingredients into something extraordinary.

sage leaves sizzle delicately in melted butter, releasing an intoxicating fragrance that dances around your kitchen.

The golden-brown butter develops deep, complex notes that complement pasta, roasted vegetables, and tender meats perfectly.

Each spoonful carries warmth and sophistication, promising a restaurant-worthy experience at home.

Professional chefs and home cooks alike adore this effortless sauce for its remarkable depth of flavor.

You’ll want to drizzle this liquid gold over everything from butternut squash ravioli to perfectly seared chicken breasts.

Flavor Tweaks for Ina Garten Brown Butter Sage Sauce

• Achieve perfect caramel-like color by watching the butter carefully, swirling the pan gently to prevent burning and ensure even browning.
• Choose fresh, vibrant sage leaves with no wilting or dark spots for the most intense herbal flavor and aromatic quality.
• Mince garlic finely or use a microplane for smoother distribution and more balanced infusion throughout the brown butter sauce.
• Experiment with additional herbs like thyme or rosemary, or add a splash of white wine or lemon juice for extra depth and brightness.
• Refrigerate leftover sauce in an airtight container for up to 3 days, gently rewarming over low heat while stirring to prevent separation.

Serving Suggestions for Ina Garten Brown Butter Sage Sauce

• Drizzle Over Pasta Perfection: Coat your favorite fettuccine, ravioli, or gnocchi with this luxurious brown butter sage sauce for a restaurant-quality meal at home.
• Enhance Roasted Vegetables: Brush the sauce over roasted butternut squash, Brussels sprouts, or cauliflower to elevate their natural flavors with a rich, nutty finish.
• Complement Protein Dishes: Pour this magical sauce over pan-seared chicken, delicate white fish, or seared scallops to add depth and a gourmet touch to your protein.
• Create Autumn-Inspired Appetizers: Drizzle the sauce over toasted crostini with ricotta or use as a dipping sauce for crispy sage-breaded mushrooms for a cozy seasonal starter.

Keep Ina Garten Brown Butter Sage Sauce Fresh

• Optimize Butter Sauce Freshness: Store the brown butter sage sauce in an airtight container within the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Cool completely before sealing to maintain its rich flavor profile.
• Freeze for Future Meals: Transfer the cooled sauce to freezer-safe containers or ice cube trays, allowing easy portioning. Freeze for maximum 3 months, ensuring a quick flavor boost when needed.
• Reheat with Gentle Care: Warm the sauce slowly in a small saucepan over low heat, stirring frequently to prevent separation. Add a splash of water or broth to restore smooth consistency if needed.
• Quick Meal Companion: Prep the sauce in advance during weekly meal planning, keeping it ready to elevate pasta, roasted vegetables, grilled meats, or fish dishes with minimal effort.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 5 minutes

Cook Time: 5 minutes

Total Time: 10 minutes

Calories: 300 kcal

Servings: 2

Ingredients for Ina Garten Brown Butter Sage Sauce

• Unsalted Butter: Provides rich, creamy foundation with deep nutty flavor when browned, select high-quality European-style butter for superior taste.
• Garlic: Adds aromatic depth and warm, pungent undertones, choose fresh garlic cloves for most intense flavor profile.

• Fresh Sage Leaves: Delivers earthy, woodsy notes that complement butter's richness, select bright green leaves without wilting or brown spots.

• Ground Black Pepper, Salt: Elevates overall taste, balances sauce's richness with subtle sharpness, use freshly ground black pepper for maximum zest.

Kitchen Tools for Ina Garten Brown Butter Sage Sauce

• Large saucepan: Perfect for evenly melting butter and creating the brown butter sage sauce.
• Sharp knife: Essential for finely mincing garlic and chopping fresh sage leaves.
• Wooden spoon or spatula: Great for stirring and preventing butter from burning.
• Measuring spoons: Helpful for accurately adding salt and pepper.
• Cutting board: Provides a clean surface for chopping herbs and garlic.

How to Whip Up Ina Garten Brown Butter Sage Sauce

• Butter Preparation

Select a smooth, heavy-bottomed saucepan and place it on medium-low heat. Allow high-quality butter to melt gently, creating a smooth liquid base.

• Aromatic Enhancement

Once butter transforms into a liquid state, introduce finely chopped garlic. Let the garlic dance in the warm butter, releasing its delicate fragrance for approximately one minute.

• Herbal Infusion

Sprinkle freshly harvested sage leaves into the butter mixture. Allow the herbs to interact with the melting butter, creating a rich, golden landscape with deep nutty undertones. Stir occasionally, watching the color transition from pale yellow to warm brown.

• Final Touches

Elevate the sauce with a gentle sprinkle of freshly ground black pepper and a whisper of sea salt. The completed brown butter sage sauce becomes a luxurious companion for pasta, roasted vegetables, delicate fish, or tender ravioli.

Silky Brown Butter Sage Sauce Recipe

---

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.7 from 10 reviews

• Total Time: 10 minutes
• Yield: 2 1x

Print Recipe

Pin Recipe

Description

Ina Garten’s brown butter sage sauce elevates simple pasta dishes with rich, nutty flavors from France. Chefs can create this elegant sauce by browning butter and infusing fresh sage leaves for a restaurant-quality finish you’ll crave.

---

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• ¼ cup (15 grams) coarsely chopped fresh sage leaves
• 4 oz (113 grams) unsalted butter
• 1 large clove garlic, minced
• 1/8 tsp ground black pepper
• Fine salt, to taste

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

---

Instructions

1. Butter Transformation: Melt butter in a medium saucepan over medium-low heat, gently swirling until it transforms into a smooth, golden liquid without scorching.
2. Aromatic Infusion: Add minced garlic to the liquid butter, stirring constantly for one minute to release its intense fragrance and develop a rich flavor base.
3. Herbal Elevation: Fold in fresh sage leaves, continuing to stir as the mixture evolves into a caramel-toned sauce with a deeply nutty and herbaceous character.
4. Seasoning Refinement: Sprinkle kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper, carefully balancing the sauce’s flavor profile to create a harmonious and complex taste.
5. Culinary Presentation: Cascade the brown butter sage sauce over your chosen dish – whether roasted vegetables, delicate fish, pasta, or ravioli – allowing the luxurious sauce to enhance and elevate the primary ingredients with its sophisticated essence.

Notes

• Butter Browning Technique: Melt butter slowly on medium-low heat to prevent burning and achieve a golden, nutty color without scorching.
• Garlic Infusion Timing: Sauté minced garlic briefly (around 60 seconds) to release aromatic flavors without turning bitter or burning.
• Sage Leaf Integration: Add fresh sage leaves at the right moment to extract maximum herbal essence and create a rich, caramel-like depth in the sauce.
• Seasoning Balance: Use kosher salt and ground black pepper sparingly, tasting and adjusting to create a harmonious flavor profile that enhances rather than overwhelms the dish.

• Prep Time: 5 minutes
• Cook Time: 5 minutes
• Category: Dinner, Lunch, Appetizer
• Method: Sautéing
• Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 2
• Calories: 300
• Sugar: 0 g
• Sodium: 0 mg
• Fat: 34 g
• Saturated Fat: 21 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 13 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 1 g
• Fiber: 0 g
• Protein: 1 g
• Cholesterol: 100 mg