Welcome! Today, I’m diving into something that honestly brings me so much joy on pizza nights that warm, silky, garlicky Little Caesars garlic butter. You know the one.
The dip that somehow makes even the crust taste exciting. I’ve been chasing that perfect flavor for a long time.

After playing with a mix of my own garlic sauces, traditional pizza-shop versions, and those nostalgic margarine-based cups,
I finally found a homemade copycat that hits every note Little Caesars is famous for: buttery, smooth, lightly tangy, and packed with mellow garlic.
Hi, my name is Dipendra Kumar. I am a chef, I like cooking food, and making online content.
My experience tells me that where saman is made, it is very spicy, and the ingredients put inside it are quite mild.
Before we get cooking, here’s the quick little recipe overview I always love including:
Cuisine: American
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 0 minutes
Servings: 10
This dip is crazy simple. Seriously, just garlic and margarine at the core, but with the right technique, the texture becomes silky, and the flavor softens into that familiar pizza-night comfort. Let’s dig in.
What Makes Little Caesars Garlic Butter So Iconic
I’ve had so many garlic butters in my life — bold ones, spicy ones, savory ones, even the restaurant margarine-based cups that melt into pure saltiness.
But Little Caesars’ version is different. It doesn’t shout garlic in your face. It’s not sharp, not fake-tasting, not too oily.
It’s mellow, buttery, and has this tiny bit of tang that makes every bite feel more “complete.”
And the real secret?
Not butter.
Liquid margarine.
Yep, the same trick most large pizza chains use to keep their garlic butter silky and never clumpy.
Regular butter tastes amazing, but the moment it cools, it hardens and separates. Margarine stays pourable, smooth, and blends beautifully with fresh garlic.
I’ve used clarified butter too — and if you prefer a richer taste, go ahead — but if you want that true Little Caesars dip texture, margarine is the winner.
Because it has a very good taste, such that when it reaches inside your tongue, you feel that it is amazing.
Ingredients
Below is the simple, tiny-but-mighty list that makes this garlic butter shine. And like always, my ingredient list stays clean and easy to follow.
| Amount | Unit | Name | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2–3 | cloves | Fresh garlic | finely grated to a paste |
| 1/4–1/3 | cup | Liquid margarine | Use more for a milder flavor |
| pinch | — | Salt (optional) | use more for a milder flavor |
I keep it minimal, just like the original. No mayo, no vinegar, no cream — this version sticks closely to the classic Little Caesars cup.
Equipment
- 1 small bowl
- 1 fine grater or microplane
- 1 spoon for mixing
- 1 airtight jar for storage
- 1 microwave (optional for reheating)
Why Fresh Garlic Matters
Garlic powder gives a dry, chalky flavor in a dip like this. But freshly grated garlic melts into the margarine, giving that sweet, mellow warmth that pizza places rely on.
The trick is grating it until it’s almost a paste. I know it’s tempting to do a quick mince and call it a day, but trust me, the extra 20 seconds of grating transforms everything. No chunks, no bitterness, just smooth garlic goodness.
How to Make Little Caesars Garlic Butter
This comes together in under 10 minutes, but I use a short chill time to let the garlic soften and mellow — and it absolutely makes a difference.
Step 1 — Prep the Garlic
Peel your garlic and grate it into a fine paste. If you don’t have a microplane, keep chopping with your knife until it’s silky.
It might look like too much work, but this is what gives the sauce that warm, garlic-forward flavor without overwhelming sharpness.
Step 2 — Mix with Margarine
Add the grated garlic to a small bowl with your liquid margarine. Stir well until everything is smooth and blended.
If you want a stronger garlic taste, use a smaller amount of margarine. If you want it mellow, go with the larger amount.
Step 3 — Chill to Let Flavors Develop
Cover the bowl and chill it for at least 15 minutes, though I personally like giving it 30 when I’m not rushing.
This step lets the garlic sink into the margarine and softens that slightly raw bite. If you skip chilling… the flavor will be harsher.
Step 4 — Serve and Enjoy
Give the dip a little stir before serving. If it feels thicker than you want, a tiny 3–5 second microwave warm-up will loosen it beautifully.
Then drizzle it over hot pizza, dunk your crusts, or toss it with warm breadsticks.
Recipe Variations I’ve Tried
Even though Little Caesars keeps it simple, I sometimes like to play around depending on the meal:
Add herbs
A pinch of dried parsley or oregano gives a classic Italian touch.
Make it spicy
A small shake of red pepper flakes or a drop of hot sauce blends beautifully with creamy garlic butter.
Cheesy twist
Just a teaspoon of grated Parmesan adds richness and fits perfectly with Crazy Bread nights.
Brighten it
A tiny squeeze of lemon is great when I use this with seafood or roasted veggies.

Little Caesars Garlic Butter Recipe
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Peel the garlic and grate it into a fine paste. If you don’t have a microplane, mince and chop until very smooth.

- Add the paste-like garlic into a small bowl with the liquid margarine. Stir until fully blended and smooth.

- Cover the bowl and chill the mixture for 15 minutes so the garlic softens and the flavors blend better.

- Stir well before serving. Warm a few seconds in the microwave if it thickens. Use for dipping pizza crusts, breadsticks, or brushing over hot Crazy Bread.

Notes
Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them
Trust me, I learned some of these the hard way:
- Not grating the garlic fine enough — this leads to harsh, chunky garlic bits.
- Skipping the chill step — the flavors won’t blend into that mellow restaurant taste.
- Using regular butter without clarifying it, it solidifies fast and separates.
- Overheating the mixture — warming too long can make the garlic bitter.
If you take it slow and follow the steps, the sauce comes out silky every time.
What to Serve with This Garlic Butter
Honestly, everything tastes good with garlic butter, but here are my favorites:
Pizza crusts
It’s the whole reason this recipe exists.
Crazy Bread or breadsticks
Brush it on after baking, toss them warm, heavenly.
Roasted potatoes
Shake your potatoes in this sauce before roasting for the ultimate garlic side dish.
Veggies
It’s perfect over broccoli, green beans, carrots — all the simple stuff.
Seafood
Shrimp and crab love garlic butter.
Pasta
A swirl of this in hot noodles makes a fast, cozy meal.
How to Store Your Garlic Butter
I keep mine in a small airtight jar in the fridge. It lasts up to 7 days, though in my house it barely survives two.
The garlic continues to mellow as it sits, so if you like a softer flavor, letting it chill overnight is actually amazing.
When you’re ready to use it again, stir it and warm it for a few seconds if it thickens.
Little Caesars Garlic Butter Recipe
Ingredients
| Amount | Unit | Name | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2–3 | cloves | Fresh garlic | finely grated |
| 1/4–1/3 | cup | Liquid margarine | or clarified butter |
| pinch | — | Salt | optional |
Stepwise Instructions
Step 1. Grate garlic into a fine paste.
Step 2. Mix garlic with liquid margarine until smooth.
Step 3. Chill 15–30 minutes to blend flavors.
Step 4. Stir and serve warm if needed.
FAQs:-
Can I use real butter instead of margarine?
Yes, you can, but it won’t stay smooth like the Little Caesars version. I like clarified butter if I want a richer flavor.
Do I really need fresh garlic?
I think so. Fresh garlic makes the dip taste mellow and real, not powdery.
How long does this garlic butter keep?
I store mine in the fridge for up to 7 days. Just give it a quick stir before using.
What can I use this sauce on?
Pizza crusts, breadsticks, veggies, shrimp, pasta, honestly, almost anything tastes better with it.
Why does my sauce taste sharp?
It usually means the garlic wasn’t grated fine enough, or it didn’t chill long enough. Let it rest a bit, and it’ll mellow.
Conclusion:-
I honestly love how simple this Little Caesars garlic butter recipe is, and every time I make it, I get that cozy pizza-night feeling again. It’s buttery, mellow, and super fast to throw together when I’m rushing. I hope you enjoy dipping every crust just like I do.
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