Go Back
–+ servings
Garlic cream sauce spooned over sliced steak on a white plate with parsley and black pepper

Garlic Cream Sauce Recipe for Steak and More

Emily S
A quick, silky garlic cream sauce that works beautifully over steak, chicken, salmon, pasta, and vegetables. Rich, smooth, and easy to make in one skillet.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 15 minutes
Course Dinner
Cuisine American
Servings 4 servings
Calories 293 kcal

Equipment

  • Small skillet A light-colored skillet helps you monitor the garlic and sauce.
  • Whisk Use for smoothing the cream and cheese into the sauce.
  • Microplane or fine grater For finely grating Parmesan so it melts evenly.

Ingredients
  

For the Garlic Cream Sauce

  • 2 tbsp unsalted butter
  • 4 garlic cloves minced
  • 1/2 cup chicken broth
  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • 1/3 cup Parmesan cheese finely grated
  • 1/4 tsp kosher salt
  • 1/4 tsp black pepper
  • 1 tbsp fresh parsley chopped
  • 1 pinch nutmeg optional

Instructions
 

Make the Sauce

  • Melt the butter in a small skillet over medium-low heat until glossy and fluid but not browned.
    garlic cream sauce step 1 melted butter in a small skillet with soft foam at the edges
  • Add the minced garlic and cook for 30 to 45 seconds, stirring constantly, until fragrant and pale.
    garlic cream sauce step 2 minced garlic softening in butter without browning
  • Pour in the chicken broth, whisk, and simmer for 1 to 2 minutes until slightly reduced.
    garlic cream sauce step 3 chicken broth whisked into garlic butter and simmering lightly
  • Lower the heat, add the heavy cream while whisking, and simmer gently for 3 to 4 minutes until silky and just beginning to thicken.
    garlic cream sauce step 4 heavy cream whisked in over low heat until silky
  • Sprinkle in the Parmesan a little at a time, whisking between additions until smooth.
    garlic cream sauce step 5 Parmesan added gradually and whisked smooth
  • Add the kosher salt, black pepper, parsley, and optional pinch of nutmeg, then simmer 1 to 2 minutes until the sauce coats the back of a spoon.
    garlic cream sauce step 6 seasoned with salt pepper and parsley until it coats a spoon
  • Adjust the texture as needed: keep it thicker for steak, or whisk in 1 to 2 tablespoons broth for chicken, salmon, or pasta.
    garlic cream sauce step 7 texture adjusted with broth until glossy and flowing
  • Serve warm right away over steak, chicken, salmon, pasta, or roasted vegetables.
    garlic cream sauce step 8 served warm glossy and ready to spoon over steak or pasta

Notes

Keep the heat low once the cream goes in to prevent splitting.
For pasta, loosen with pasta water until glossy.
If the sauce gets too thick, whisk in broth instead of more cream.
Best served fresh.

Nutrition

Serving: 1ServingCalories: 293kcalCarbohydrates: 3gProtein: 5gFat: 29gSaturated Fat: 19gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 8gTrans Fat: 0.2gCholesterol: 89mgSodium: 406mgPotassium: 91mgFiber: 0.2gSugar: 2gVitamin A: 1201IUVitamin C: 3mgCalcium: 149mgIron: 0.3mg
Keyword creamy garlic sauce, garlic cream sauce, steak sauce
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!