How to make cowboy butter

Photos for this recipe are from Erin Hungsberg (IG: erin_hungsberg)

This flavor-packed homemade cowboy butter is made with a variety of seasonings and spices, fresh herbs, lemon juice, and more. A great finisher for your favorite steak, this herb butter can be served with potatoes, french fries, and even grilled vegetables as an excellent dipping sauce.

If you are looking to try a different style of compound butter, this one pulls out all the stops and can be made in 10 minutes. It’s also an easy way to use up fresh herbs and spices you have around the house. Plus, you can make a big batch and enjoy it throughout the week.

Try it with one of my recipes like ribeye steak with asparagus, grilled steak pinwheels, and creamy mashed potatoes.

Why you need to make this recipe

• Simple and quick: The beauty of this cowboy butter recipe is that it requires simple pantry ingredients and only takes 10 minutes to make.
• Flavorful: The combination of ingredients like garlic, lemon juice, spices, and fresh herbs makes this homemade butter incredibly delicious. Compared to the usual garlic butter, it’s loaded with bold flavors and the perfect addition to any steak dinner!
• Versatile: Finish your steak with this flavorful butter, spread it over toast or crackers, dip some veggies and fries on it, or mix it into mashed potatoes for extra flavor. It almost goes with anything!
• Great homemade gift: Wrap this log of butter with wax paper and into a container to give away as a thoughtful foodie gift. Your friends and family will love receiving this unique homemade treat!

Ingredients you need to make cowboy butter

Unsalted butter

Lemon juice

Fresh garlic

Dijon mustard

Smoked paprika 

Parsley

Thyme 

Horseradish 

Red pepper flakes

Salt 

What is cowboy butter?

Cowboy butter is a type of compound butter that is made up of fresh ingredients and seasoning to create a flavor bomb! When mixed together, they form the most delicious herby and garlicky butter that pairs perfectly on grilled steak especially. Check out my recipe for grilled ribeye steak with cowboy butter.

How to make cowboy butter

Simply mix all the ingredients for the cowboy butter in a small mixing bowl and combine well. You can leave the butter mixture in the bowl and spoon it out later when serving. But you can also roll it into a log, cover it with a long piece of plastic wrap or parchment paper, refrigerate and cut slices from it as needed.

How to store cowboy butter

Store the leftover cowboy butter in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to a week. If you need to keep it for longer, place butter in a freezer-safe container or bag and freeze it for up to 3 months.

FAQs

What is cowboy butter made of?

Cowboy butter is a golden brown mixture of butter, lemon juice, garlic, Dijon mustard, red pepper flakes, and other herbs and spices like parsley, thyme, and smoked paprika. This roll of butter is the perfect accompaniment to many dishes like grilled meat and seafood, fresh bread, baked potatoes, and roasted veggies.

Can I use dried herbs instead of fresh herbs?

Fresh herbs are always preferred when making homemade cowboy butter, but in a pinch, you can substitute dried herbs. Since the flavors of dried herbs are more concentrated than those of fresh, you will need to use less than the amount of fresh herbs called for in the recipe.

What is the ideal consistency of cowboy butter?

Lighter than traditional compound butter, cowboy butter has a creamy texture that’s more spreadable and easier to work with. It should be thick enough that it stays in place but still soft enough that it melts into the meat.

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