Cowboy Butter – Perfect for Steak and More! Recipe
This Cowboy Butter recipe is a flavorful, buttery condiment perfect for enhancing the taste of steak and various other cooked meats, seafood, and vegetables. Made with garlic, Dijon mustard, smoked paprika, chili flakes, and a touch of salt, this versatile butter adds a rich, smoky, and spicy kick that complements a wide range of dishes.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 5 minutes
- Total Time: 10 minutes
- Yield: Approximately 100g / 7 servings (about 1 tablespoon per serving) 1x
- Category: Condiment / Sauce
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
Butter Base
- 100g / 7 tbsp unsalted butter, softened, divided
Flavorings
- 1 large garlic clove, finely minced (about 1 tsp)
- 1 tbsp Dijon mustard
- 1 tsp smoked paprika (or regular paprika as a substitute)
- 1 tsp chili flakes / red pepper flakes
- 1/4 tsp cooking salt / kosher salt (halve if using table salt)
Instructions
- Sauté garlic: In a small frying pan, melt 1 tbsp (15g) of the butter over medium heat until it starts to foam. Add the finely minced garlic and cook for about 30 seconds, stirring constantly, until the garlic turns very light golden. Remove the pan from the stove and let the garlic butter cool for 3 minutes, allowing the garlic to deepen in color.
- Mix ingredients: In a small mixing bowl, combine the remaining softened butter with the Dijon mustard, smoked paprika, chili flakes, and cooking salt. Pour the cooled garlic butter over the mix and stir well until fully combined and smooth.
- Serve: Use the Cowboy Butter immediately by spreading it over hot steak so it melts and envelops the meat in flavor. It’s also excellent when paired with other cooked meats, seafood, or even grilled or roasted vegetables.
- Storage and usage tips: For optimal texture, use the butter softened so it melts thicker on hot steak. Alternatively, gently melt the butter for dipping bites of steak or shape it into a log with cling wrap, refrigerate, and cut slices as needed to place on steak for melting.
Notes
- Use a knife rather than a garlic press to finely mince the garlic for better texture.
- If you prefer less heat, reduce the chili flakes to taste.
- Halve the salt amount if using table salt instead of kosher or cooking salt.
- This butter pairs wonderfully not only with steak but also with seafood, chicken, and roasted vegetables.
- Refrigerate leftover butter and bring to room temperature before serving for best spreadability.
Keywords: Cowboy Butter, garlic butter, steak butter, flavored butter, steak condiment, spicy butter, smoked paprika butter
