If it’s wrong to order pizza just for the Papa John’s garlic sauce, then I don’t want to be right.
And I don’t just save it for the crust! Oh no! That stuff goes onto every single bite.
Believe me, when you have something as perfect as this dipping sauce, you’ll be putting it on everything, so I suggest you make it in bulk.
But don’t panic, it’s just three ingredients and a little bit of your time. That’s it.
Trust me when I say it’s worth every second!
Papa John’s Garlic Sauce
If you’re looking for a way to jazz up homemade pizza night, or for something to add flavor to pretty much any dish, this sauce is for you!
Made using just margarine, garlic powder, and salt, you’ll wonder how you’ve never made it before.
Simply melt your margarine and add in the garlic and salt to your liking. Let it sit for a few minutes to marry the flavors.
I promise there won’t be a crust discarded ever again. And it’s so easy to make, you can have it ready to go in a matter of minutes.
The beauty of making this sauce at home – other than saving money on ordering in pizza – is that you can modify it to your own preference.
I can’t be the only one that adds double the garlic to every recipe… right?
Ingredients
Three ingredients. It really is that easy. Of course, there are a few variations out there, and you can change things up if you want.
Maybe add in some parsley or even chili flakes for a little heat?
- Margarine – it might seem strange to use margarine over butter, but it’s how they do it at Papa John’s HQ, and who am I to argue?
- Garlic powder – this stuff is pretty potent, so you won’t need to use as much as you would fresh.
- Salt – I would suggest using a good sea salt.
Tips for Making Garlic Sauce
Ok, so I know you panicked when you saw margarine on the list. After all, almost everything you read online says you should stay away from the stuff when baking and cooking!
It does work, as Papa John’s can attest to.
But if you want an alternative, nothing is the same as full-fat butter.
Not only will it melt beautifully, but it will also impart that flavor we all love into the garlic for something even more irresistible.
If all you have is salted butter, you should be able to make the sauce by omitting the additional salt. Though, it’s better to use unsalted so you can control how much salt goes in.
Using fresh garlic will absolutely give you a strong flavor and you can substitute.
Typically, ⅛ teaspoon of garlic powder will be enough to cover one clove. For this recipe, you will need approximately 12 cloves of minced garlic.
If you’re using fresh garlic, you can let it steep and then strain it out, or keep it in the sauce for pops of flavor.
Another great option would be to use roasted garlic. It has a slightly less intense flavor and will make the sauce even creamier.
To avoid your butter separating, why not try using clarified butter?
As you gently melt the butter, you will see milk solids rise and float to the top. Carefully remove these with a slotted spoon, leaving behind pure butter.
Clarified butter will give you a smooth sauce and is a great way to incorporate into cooking as it has a higher smoke point. This is ideal for cooking steaks.
What to Serve With This Sauce
As mentioned before, this garlic and salted sauce is pure flavor and will taste amazing on anything. But it was created for pizza, and that is where it truly belongs.
Try making a simple pizza dough recipe and have this sauce on the table for those crusts. You could even double the recipe and make a garlic bread pizza.
Brush the sauce all over and sprinkle with cheese for an easy and amazing side.
The great news is that garlic and butter will more or less elevate every dish you make. These might include:
- Easy parmesan pasta made by melting butter and parmesan through the hot spaghetti. Using garlic butter would give you tons of extra flavor.
- Garlic butter baked salmon is made on one tray with roasted potatoes and vegetables and will become a fast favorite.
- Skillet steak made by heating the pan on high heat – perfect for that clarified butter option.
- Baked garlic butter chicken is literally baked in a dish full of garlic butter for the most flavorful and juicy chicken dish you’ll ever try.
- Garlic mashed potatoes will be your new go-to once you try them with this sauce stirred through.
How to Store Papa John’s Garlic Sauce
As with anything hot, you will need to let the sauce cool completely before putting it in the fridge.
Once cooled, scrape every last drop into an airtight container and keep in the fridge for up to five days.
You can also freeze the sauce. Once in the container and covered, it will last in the freezer for up to three months.
I would suggest making a big batch and pouring into these ice cube trays with lids. Not only will you have perfect portions, but you also won’t need to thaw a large tub just for one dish.
Ice cube portioned would be perfect for cooking steak, as you can pop them out and right onto the steak. They will slowly melt and add incredible flavor without burning.
Papa John’s Garlic Sauce
1
servings2
minutes4
minutesIngredients
1/8 to 1/4 cup margarine
1/2 tablespoon 1/2 garlic powder
1/4 teaspoon 1/4 salt
Instructions
- In a microwave-safe bowl, add the margarine and cook for 30 seconds.
- Add in the garlic powder and salt, mixing to fully incorporate.
- Carefully taste and adjust accordingly – add in extra margarine if you added too much salt or garlic.
- Microwave for another five seconds and stir until everything has dissolved.
- Serve with freshly made pizza or crunchy French bread.
