- February 12, 2025
- Beef
Cowboy Butter Recipe
This Cowboy Butter packs a bold, spicy twist with smoky paprika, cayenne, and herbs for a rich, buttery kick. Perfect as a dipping sauce for steak and seafood or brushed over grilled meats and veggies for extra flavor!
If you’re looking for a bold, buttery, and flavor-packed sauce that takes your steak dinner to the next level, this homemade cowboy butter is the perfect addition to your recipe collection!
With a rich base of melted butter, fresh herbs, garlic, and just the right amount of heat, this delicious recipe works as a dipping sauce or a drizzle over grilled meats, fresh bread, or veggies. Whether you’re making it for the first time or you’re a pro at compound butter recipes, this is one good compound butter you’ll want to keep on hand!
Why This Recipe Works
Packed with Bold Flavors – The combination of fresh garlic, dijon mustard, Worcestershire sauce, and a pinch of cayenne pepper creates a rich and flavorful butter that pairs with everything from this oven reverse seared Tomahawk steak to warm bread.
Super Versatile – Whether you use it as a dipping sauce, a steak sauce, or even mix it into side dishes like green beans, French fries, or baked potatoes, this butter sauce is a perfect accompaniment to any meal.
Easy to Make & Store – This homemade butter comes together in just a few minutes and stores well in a sealed container in the fridge or freezer for later use.
Supplies Needed
To make the best sauce, you’ll need just a few kitchen essentials:
- Small saucepan – For melting the unsalted butter over medium heat.
- Whisk or spoon – To mix the butter mixture and incorporate all the flavorful ingredients.
- Small bowl – For serving as a dipping sauce or drizzling over your favorite steak.
- Airtight container or wax paper – For storing any leftovers.
Ingredients
This cowboy butter recipe is made with a mix of fresh ingredients and dried herbs to create the ultimate garlicky butter sauce.
Butter Base:
- Salted Butter – Start with softened butter or melted butter for a creamy texture.
Bold & Savory Additions:
- Garlic– For that strong flavor and a deep, rich taste.
- Dijon mustard & Worcestershire sauce – These add a tangy depth and help combine butter with the other ingredients. The Dijon will act as an emulsifier and bind everything together.
- Lemon juice & lemon zest – Brightens up the butter mixture with a fresh, citrusy note. This can also help emulsify the butter when it’s melted.
Herbs & Spices:
- Fresh Herbs – Fresh parsley and chives are perfect in this. You can use dried if needed but I highly recommend fresh here.
- Black pepper, paprika, chili powder, onion powder – Adds warmth and richness.
- Cayenne pepper or crushed red pepper flakes – A little spice for an extra kick! I also like a little Tobasco sauce too.
Substitutions & Variations:
- Swap fresh herbs for dried herbs if needed.
- Add a touch of hot sauce for more heat.
- Use coarse mustard instead of Dijon for extra texture.
How to Make Cowboy Butter
Step 1: Melt the Butter
In a hot pan over medium heat, melt the butter without letting it brown. This helps maintain a creamy texture.
Step 2: Add the Spices & Garlic
Stir in the minced garlic, black pepper, paprika, chili powder, onion powder, and dried herbs. Let it cook for 1-2 minutes, just until fragrant.
Step 3: Mix in the Remaining Ingredients
Whisk in the lemon juice, lemon zest, Dijon mustard, and Worcestershire sauce until fully combined.
Step 4: Stir in Fresh Herbs & Serve
Remove from heat and stir in the fresh chives and fresh parsley. You can also add in any hot sauce if desired. Serve immediately as a dipping sauce or drizzle over hot steaks, grilled ribeye steak, or fresh bread.
Expert Tips
- Prevent Separation – If the butter starts to separate, remove it from heat and whisk vigorously. Adding a little bit of heavy cream can also help stabilize it.
- For a Spreadable Compound Butter – Let the butter mixture cool to room temperature, then transfer to a long piece of plastic wrap. Shape into a log, wrap tightly, and refrigerate until firm.
- Make a Big Batch & Store It – Keep extra cowboy butter sauce in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days, or freeze in a freezer-safe container for longer storage.
What to Serve With It
This homemade cowboy butter is a perfect pairing for so many dishes:
- Grilled Steak & Meats – Spoon over hot steaks like this smoked tomahawk, reverse seared ribeye, flat iron steak, hanger steak, or over this oven roasted tri tip.
- Vegetables & Potatoes – Drizzle over green beans, my delicious smoked baked potatoes, in creamy mashed potatoes, these crispy duck fat potatoes, or air fryer fries for a rich, buttery finish.
- Bread & Dipping – Serve with crusty bread, fresh bread, or warm bread for a perfect topping.
- Seafood & Chicken – Use as a dipping sauce for blackened chicken, smoked crab legs, or over smoked chicken legs.
More Recipes To Try
Montreal Steak Marinade Recipe
Steak with Red Wine Compound Butter
7 Ways To Add Flavor To Your Steak
Caramelized Onion and Blue Cheese Steak Sauce
Cowboy Butter Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 sticks Butter
- 1 tbsp Fresh Chives finely minced
- 1 tbsp Fresh Parlsey finely minced
- 3 Garlic Cloves finely minced
- 1 tsp Lemon Juice
- 1 tsp Lemon Zest
- 1 tsp Dijon Mustard
- 1/2 tsp Worcestershire Sauce
- 1/2 tsp Black Pepper
- 1/2 tsp Onion Powder
- 1/2 tsp Paprika
- 1/2 tsp Chili Powder
- 1/2 tsp Dried Oregano
- 1/2 tsp Dried Thyme
- 1/4 tsp Cayenne or Red Pepper Flakes
Instructions
- In a saucepan over medium-low heat, melt the butter. Do not let the butter simmer or brown.
- Add in the minced garlic and spices. Let cook for 1-2 minutes.
- Stir in the lemon juice, zest, and Dijon mustard.
- Remove from the heat and add in the fresh chives and parsley. The butter should look like a cohesive sauce- if it looks like it separated, see the notes section below for tips!
- Pour the cowboy butter into a serving bowl for dipping or over your favorite steak or beef cut, potatoes, veggies, and more!