Easy Homemade Hot Lemon Pepper Sauce Recipe

This Lemon Pepper Sauce Recipe delivers bold citrus zest, cracked black pepper heat, and velvety richness—all in one skillet. It's fast, easy, and perfect for your chicken, fish, pasta, or even roasted veggies.

Table of Contents

Jump to:

• My Homemade Lemon Pepper Sauce
• What is Traditional Wet Lemon Pepper Sauce Made Of?
• Let's Back Track: Lemon Pepper History
• How to Use This Sauce Recipe
• Turn Up the Heat: Hot Pepper Twists
• Need Inspiration? Try These:
• Ingredients with Steps
• Culinary Glossary
• Instructions with Pictures
• Substitutions
• Variations
• Equipment
• Storage and Reheating
• Cooking Tips
• Frequently Asked Questions
• Sauce Recipes
• Spicy Recipes
• 📖 Recipe
• Subscribe to the YouTube Channel
• Have a Comment or Question?

My Homemade Lemon Pepper Sauce

Let’s be honest—store-bought sauces can be a little... underwhelming. That’s why I decided to whip up my own homemade lemon pepper sauce on the fly. Let me tell you, this easy sauce is not just quick; it’s a zesty mic drop in your kitchen.

Traditionally, this sauce takes its sweet time to reduce, but my version is a fast one that gets you back to what you love to do; plus, I had to make it without butter by using olive oil. And hey, if you're feeling creative, check out the substitution section—because everyone deserves to customize their sauce like the home kitchen chefs they are. 

What is Traditional Wet Lemon Pepper Sauce Made Of?

Now, if you’ve ever had classic wet lemon pepper wings in Atlanta (or wish you had), you know what we're talking about. Traditional Easy Lemon Pepper Sauce usually combines lemon juice, lemon zest, black pepper, melted butter, and sometimes a hint of hot sauce for an extra kick.

It’s a bold, buttery masterpiece often drizzled over crispy fried chicken wings, soaking into every crunchy crevice. Basically, it’s citrusy heaven with a peppery punch. 

Let's Back Track: Lemon Pepper History

Lemon pepper seasoning, with its tangy zest and bold black pepper kick, has become a staple in Southern kitchens and a cultural icon in cities like Atlanta and Miami. In Atlanta, the famous lemon pepper wet wings blend buttery richness with sharp citrus notes, becoming a signature dish tied to the city’s vibrant music and food scene.

Meanwhile, in Miami, the Caribbean influence shines through with citrus-forward marinades using fresh lemons, limes, and spicy peppers, creating a flavor profile that feels both familiar and delicious.

My Easy Crispy Baked Wet Lemon Pepper Chicken Cutlets recipe takes inspiration from these regional flavors, using fresh pantry staples like lemon zest, cracked black pepper, garlic, and herbs to deliver a homemade sauce that’s bursting with brightness.

Hey, you don't have to take my word for it, experience this zesty delight for yourself. Visit my original recipe page for all the juicy details, and let’s bring these flavors to your kitchen!

How to Use This Sauce Recipe

Alright, let’s talk versatility with the best lemon pepper sauce recipe you'll ever have. This isn’t here to play small. You can use it for more things than just homemade lemon pepper wings on game day.

• Drizzle it over baked chicken thighs, toss it with pasta for a zesty noodle dish,
• or spoon it over roasted veggies for a flavor upgrade.
• Feeling bold? Use it as a marinade for shrimp before grilling
• or as a dipping sauce for crispy fries with parmesan cheese.

This sauce isn’t picky—it loves everyone equally.

Turn Up the Heat: Hot Pepper Twists

For those who like their sauce with a little fire, let’s chat hot pepper upgrades. Swap the red pepper flakes for Scotch Bonnet if you’re chasing Caribbean heat, Habanero for a fruity-but-fiery Latin kick, or Jalapeño for a milder green pepper flavor.

Each pepper adds its own vibe, so go ahead—pick your spice level and make this Homemade Lemon Pepper Sauce uniquely yours. Now, grab your skillet, turn up the heat, and let’s get saucy.

Need Inspiration? Try These:

• Easy Crispy Baked Wet Lemon Pepper Chicken Cutlets
• Quick Harissa Sauce
• Calabrian Pepper Salmon with Creamy Lemon Dill Sauce
• Loaded Lemon Pepper Chicken Pasta
• Hot Honey Lemon Chicken Skewers with Asparagus

Ingredients with Steps

Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat and sauté minced garlic and red pepper flakes until fragrant. Add chicken broth, lemon juice, lemon zest, cracked black pepper, and kosher salt, stirring to combine. Bring the mixture to a gentle boil, then reduce the heat and let it simmer until slightly thickened. Stir in chopped parsley, simmer for another minute, and adjust the seasoning to taste. Serve immediately over chicken, fish, pasta, or vegetables for a zesty, flavorful finish.

Culinary Glossary

This section provides concise definitions of key ingredients and techniques to enhance understanding and improve cooking skills related to this recipe.

Ingredients

• Lemon Zest: The thin outer layer of a lemon’s skin, grated finely to add bright, citrusy flavor. Avoid the bitter white pith underneath! Learn more about zesting.
• Cracked Black Pepper: Coarsely ground black peppercorns that add a bold, spicy kick and a rustic texture to the sauce.
• Minced Garlic: Garlic cloves are finely chopped into tiny pieces, often used as an aromatic base in sauce.  You can also use garlic paste.
• Kosher Salt: A coarse-grained salt known for its clean taste and easy-to-control texture, often preferred by us chefs for seasoning.
• Parsley: A fresh herb with bright, slightly peppery flavor, used both as a garnish and to add freshness to the sauces.
• Scotch Bonnet (alternative): A fiery chili pepper common in Caribbean cuisine, known for its fruity heat—handle with care! Don't rub your eyes.
• Habanero (alternative): An intensely spicy pepper with a sweet, fruity flavor, often used to add heat to sauces and marinades.
• Jalapeño (alternative): A moderately spicy green chili pepper that brings a mild heat and grassy flavor to sauces and salsas.

Techniques

• Reduction: The process of simmering a liquid over heat to evaporate excess water, resulting in a thicker, more concentrated sauce. In this recipe, a skillet is used for its wide surface, allowing more room for evaporation and reducing the time it takes to thicken the sauce.
• Simmer: Cooking a liquid gently over low to medium heat, just below boiling, allowing flavors to meld and the sauce to thicken.
• Emulsify: The process of combining two liquids (like oil and lemon juice) that normally don’t mix, often achieved by whisking or blending.
• Aromatics: Ingredients like garlic, onions, and herbs that release fragrant flavors when cooked, forming the base of many sauces.

See the recipe card for quantities below.

Instructions with Pictures

Follow the instructions and cooking tips below using the step-by-step picture guide.

Substitutions

Dairy-Free

• Yay! This recipe is already dairy-free.

Gluten-Free

• Bonus! This recipe is also gluten-free.

Vegetarian

• Low-Sodium Chicken Broth: To make this Lemon Pepper Sauce Recipe vegetarian, swap the chicken broth for vegetable broth or even plain water with a dash of soy sauce for depth. Pair it with roasted vegetables, grilled tofu, or pasta for a hearty, plant-based meal.

Convenience

• Chicken Broth: Use vegetable broth or water with soy sauce. This is a quick swap for vegetarians or if chicken broth isn’t available.
• Fresh Lemon Juice: Try bottled lemon juice. While fresh is best, bottled lemon juice works in a pinch.
• Fresh Garlic:  Substitute with garlic powder. Use ¼ teaspoon of garlic powder for every 1 clove of garlic.
• Fresh Parsley: Use dried parsley by substituting with 1 teaspoon of dried parsley.
• Cracked Black Pepper: Ground black pepper can also work. Use a slightly smaller amount, as ground pepper is more concentrated.
• Kosher Salt: Use half the amount since table salt is finer and more intense.
• Red Pepper Chili Flakes: Try cayenne pepper or your favorite hot sauce. Add sparingly to control heat levels.
• Olive Oil: Vegetable Oil or Canola Oil. Neutral oils will work if olive oil isn’t available.

Change Heat Level - Modify this zesty lemon pepper sauce recipe's heat level to your liking and learn more about the Scoville Scale and Chili Pairings.

Variations

• How to Make a Creamy Lemon Pepper Sauce: No matter your preference, this creamy twist will turn your Lemon Pepper Sauce Recipe into a luxurious coating for your favorite dishes!
  • With Dairy: Add ¼ cup of heavy cream or ½ cup of grated Parmesan cheese to the skillet during the last 2 minutes of simmering. Stir until the sauce thickens and becomes silky smooth. This creates a rich, creamy texture perfect for pasta or chicken.
  • Dairy-Free Alternative for this cream sauce: Stir in ¼ cup of full-fat coconut milk or cashew cream (blend ¼ cup soaked cashews with ¼ cup water) during the final minutes of cooking. Both options provide a velvety finish without compromising on the bold lemon-pepper flavor.
• How to Make Hot Honey Lemon Pepper Sauce: This is some sticky goodness; turn this recipe into a hot honey lemon pepper sauce you will love. What is hot honey?  This is a spicy honey made with ground hot chili peppers. For example, Mike's Hot Honey became famous for adding on NY-style pizza. Hint: This recipe would be perfect for some Hot Honey Lemon Pepper Chicken Wings.
  • Follow the original recipe to sauté the garlic cloves in 2 ⅔ tablespoons olive oil over medium heat until fragrant, then add 1 cup chicken broth, the juice, and zest of 2 ⅔ lemons, 1 ⅓ teaspoons cracked black pepper, ⅓ teaspoon red pepper flakes, 2 tablespoons hot honey, and ⅓ teaspoon kosher salt. Simmer for 5–7 minutes until reduced by half and slightly thickened, then stir in 1 ⅓ tablespoons chopped parsley. Adjust seasoning to taste and drizzle this vibrant sauce over chicken wings, shrimp, roasted vegetables, or pasta for an irresistible sweet and spicy finish.

Equipment

• Skillet (Preferably Stainless Steel or Non-Stick): The skillet is the main cooking vessel for this sauce recipe. It evenly distributes heat, allowing the garlic to sauté, liquids to reduce, and flavors to meld beautifully.
  • If you don’t have a skillet, a sauté pan or a wide saucepan can work. Just ensure it has a wide surface area for effective reduction. And if you have to use a small saucepan, just be aware the time of reduction will increase.
  • Do not use cast iron skillets unless there is an enamel coating; highly acidic sauces can erode the pan's seasoning.
• Wooden Spoon or Silicone Spatula: Stirring the sauce prevents garlic from burning, ensures even heat distribution, and helps incorporate all ingredients smoothly.
  • A metal spoon can also work, but avoid it with non-stick skillets to prevent scratching.
• Microplane Zester: Used to finely zest the lemon skin, extracting the bright citrus oils without the bitter white pith. Learn more about zesting here.
  • A fine grater or even the smallest holes on a box grater can be used. In a pinch, use a vegetable peeler and finely mince the peel with a knife.
• Citrus Juicer or Reamer: Efficiently extracts juice from the lemons while minimizing seeds in the sauce.
  • If you don't have a citrus squeezer, use a fork to twist inside the lemon half or simply squeeze it by hand over a small strainer.

Kitchen Must Haves - Find other tools I use here.

Storage and Reheating

• Refrigerator: To store your Lemon Pepper Sauce Recipe in the refrigerator, let it cool completely before transferring it into an airtight container or a clean glass jar with a secure lid.
  • Once sealed, place it in the fridge, where it will stay fresh for up to 5 days. Before reheating, stir or shake it well, as some separation may occur during storage.
• Freezer: For longer storage, allow the sauce to cool completely, then pour it into a freezer-safe container or resealable freezer bag, leaving a little space at the top to allow for expansion. Label it with the date, then store it in the freezer for up to 3 months.
  • When ready to use, thaw the sauce overnight in the refrigerator before reheating it to maintain its flavor and texture.
• Reheating: To reheat, gently warm it on the stovetop over medium-low heat, stirring frequently to prevent sticking or uneven heating.
  • Alternatively, microwave it in a microwave-safe bowl, covered loosely, in 30-second intervals, stirring between each round. If the sauce becomes too thick during reheating, add a splash of chicken broth or water to restore its silky consistency. Enjoy! 

Airtight Food Containers - I interchange glass food storage containers with plastic clipping lids or wooden push-ins. I always suggest glass storage containers because they can be microwaved, they hold food without staining, and the glass keeps the food at a more stable temperature, keeping it fresher and longer.  

Try the OXO Good Grips Smart Seal Glass Rectangle Food Storage Containers or the Pyrex Freshlock Glass Food Storage Containers.

Your Cooking Tips Resource Guide - Become a better home cook with tips to help you cook more efficiently on the Cook's Notebook tab.

Frequently Asked Questions

Sauce Recipes

Looking for other sauce recipes like this? Try these: 

Spicy Recipes

Looking for other spicy recipes like this? Try these:

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