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You are here: Home / Recipes / Sauces & Seasonings

Cowboy Steak Butter Recipe

📋 Modified: Feb 15, 2025 Published: Jul 25, 2024 by 👩🏻‍🍳 Jami Powell · This post may contain affiliate links · Leave a Comment

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Get ready to savor your meal with this Cowboy Steak Butter Recipe, perfect for grilled meats (and vegetables)! This recipe combines butter with fresh herbs, spices, and zesty lemon, creating a compound butter that will improve any dish.

Whether you're serving it with a juicy Medium Rare Filet Mignon or slathering it over Air Fryer Potato Wedges, this butter adds bold flavor with minimal effort.

Easy cowboy butter recipe hero image close up in skillet

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Cowboy Steak Butter is a flavorful compound butter that originated as a way to add a rich, spicy touch to grilled meats and vegetables. Combining butter with fresh herbs, spices, garlic, and lemon juice, this butter is perfect for enhancing the taste of any dish.

If you love bold flavors, try our Cajun Sauce for seafood or our Chipotle Chicken Spice for a smoky, spicy kick on grilled chicken and vegetables.

Jump to:
  • Why We Love This Recipe
  • Steak Butter Ingredients
  • Substitutions & Variations
  • How to Make this Steak Butter Recipe
  • Expert Tips for Success
  • Storage
  • Recipe FAQs
  • More Recipes You'll Love ♥️
  • 📖 Recipe
  • 💬 Share Your Thoughts

Why We Love This Recipe

  • Flavorful: Packed with spices, garlic, and fresh herbs.
  • Versatile: Perfect for meats, vegetables, bread, and more.
  • Easy to Make: Simple steps for a delicious result.
  • Great for Entertaining: Impress your guests with a unique, homemade condiment.

Steak Butter Ingredients

Easy cowboy butter ingredient shot.
  • Unsalted Butter: We start with unsalted butter so we can control the seasoning.
  • Paprika & Cayenne Pepper: This combo gives the butter a smoky depth and a little heat. We usually reach for smoked paprika when we want that true cowboy campfire vibe.
  • Lemon Juice & Zest: A little lemon lifts the whole flavor. It cuts the richness and keeps the butter tasting bright and balanced.
  • Fresh Herbs (Chives & Parsley): We finely chop both so they melt into the butter and add a pop of fresh, herby flavor.
  • Garlic: Chopped fresh garlic brings in that classic steakhouse aroma.
  • Dijon Mustard: We love the tangy depth this adds. It gives just enough zip without overpowering the other ingredients.
  • Kosher Salt & Red Pepper Flakes: Salt pulls all the flavors together, and red pepper flakes sneak in just the right touch of heat.
  • Dried Thyme: Thyme complements the fresh herbs without competing with them. We swap in dried rosemary if that’s what we have on hand.

A full ingredient list with exact measurements can be found in the recipe card below.

Substitutions & Variations

  • Butter: Use vegan butter for a dairy-free option.
  • Fresh Herbs: Substitute with dried herbs if fresh ones are unavailable.
  • Dijon Mustard: Swap with whole grain mustard for a different texture.

How to Make this Steak Butter Recipe

Easy cowboy butter process shot 1 melting butter

STEP ONE: Prepare the Butter

In a medium skillet over low heat, melt the butter.

Easy cowboy butter process shot 2 adding garlic

STEP TWO: Add the Flavors

Continue melting and add garlic.

Next, add paprika, cayenne pepper, lemon zest, chives, salt, red pepper flakes, lemon juice, garlic, Dijon mustard, parsley, and thyme to the melted butter. Cook for about 2-3 minutes, while stirring, until the garlic is fragrant and the ingredients are well combined.

Easy cowboy butter process shot 2 melting with other ingredients in skillet

STEP THREE: Let Cool

Remove from heat and let the mixture cool slightly. Transfer the mixture to the refrigerator to solidify further.

Easy cowboy butter process shot 4 rolled into a log

STEP FOUR: Shape and Refrigerate

When solid, transfer onto a piece of plastic wrap. Cover and pound with a mallet, if needed, to break up the solid pieces. Shape the portion into a log or a disk and wrap tightly.

Place the wrapped butter log in the refrigerator for at least 1 hour, or until firm. Slice as needed and serve with your favorite dishes.

Expert Tips for Success

👩‍🍳Jami's Pro Tips: Want to take this recipe to the next level? Check out my expert tips below for the best flavor, texture, and meal prep hacks!

✔️ DO Mix all ingredients well.
✔️ DO Whisk vigorously if the butter starts to separate.

Storage

Store wrapped Cowboy Butter in the refrigerator for up to one week. For longer storage, wrap it tightly and freeze for up to three months. Thaw in the refrigerator before use.

Recipe FAQs

How do I store leftover Cowboy Butter?

Store leftover Cowboy Butter by wrapping it tightly in plastic wrap or placing it in an airtight container. Keep it in the refrigerator for up to one week or freeze it for up to three months. Thaw in the refrigerator before use.

Can I make Cowboy Butter spicier?

Yes, you can make Cowboy Butter spicier by increasing the amount of cayenne pepper and red pepper flakes. You can also add a splash of your favorite hot sauce or a pinch of chipotle powder for extra heat.

What dishes pair well with Cowboy Butter?

Cowboy Butter pairs well with grilled meats such as steak, chicken, and pork. It also complements roasted vegetables, baked potatoes, and fresh bread. It can also be used as a dipping sauce for seafood or spread on sandwiches for added flavor.

Easy cowboy butter recipe feature image close up in dish being dipped with a spoon

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Did You Like This Easy Cowoy Butter Recipe?

  • Leave a ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Star Rating if think this cowboy butter is amazing!

📖 Recipe

Easy cowboy butter recipe feature image close up in dish being dipped with a spoon

Cowboy Steak Butter Recipe

Jami Powell
Get ready to savor your meal with this Cowboy Steak Butter Recipe, perfect for grilled meats (and vegetables)! This recipe combines butter with fresh herbs, spices, and zesty lemon, creating a compound butter that will improve any dish.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 10 minutes mins
Cook Time 5 minutes mins
Total Time 15 minutes mins
Course Condiment, Sauce
Cuisine American
Servings 16
Calories 207 kcal

Equipment

  • Skillet
  • Plastic Wrap
  • Knife
  • Cutting board

Ingredients
  

  • 2 cups unsalted butter softened (4 sticks,cubed)
  • 3 teaspoon paprika
  • ½ teaspoon cayenne pepper
  • ½ lemon juice and zest
  • ¼ cup fresh chives finely chopped
  • ½ teaspoon kosher salt
  • 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes
  • 1 whole head of garlic chopped
  • 2 teaspoon Dijon mustard
  • ½ cup fresh parsley finely chopped
  • 1 teaspoon dried thyme

Instructions
 

  • In a medium skillet over low heat, melt the butter and garlic.
  • Add paprika, cayenne pepper, lemon zest, chives, salt, red pepper flakes, lemon juice, garlic, Dijon mustard, parsley, and thyme to the melted butter. Cook for about 2-3 minutes, while stirring, until the garlic is fragrant and the ingredients are well combined.
  • Remove from heat and let the mixture cool slightly. Transfer the mixture to the refrigerator to solidify further.
  • When solid, transfer onto a piece of plastic wrap. Cover and pound with a mallet, if needed, to break up the solid pieces. Shape the portion into a log or a disk and wrap tightly.
  • Place the wrapped butter log in the refrigerator for at least 1 hour, or until firm. Slice as needed and serve with your favorite dishes.

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Enter your email below and we'll send it to your inbox. Plus, you'll get new recipes from us each week!

Nutrition

Calories: 207kcalCarbohydrates: 1gProtein: 0.4gFat: 23gSaturated Fat: 15gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 6gTrans Fat: 1gCholesterol: 61mgSodium: 86mgPotassium: 34mgFiber: 0.3gSugar: 0.1gVitamin A: 1145IUVitamin C: 3mgCalcium: 13mgIron: 0.3mg
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