Cowboy Butter

With just a handful of simple ingredients, I've put together this delicious cowboy butter recipe. It's perfect for adding extra flavor to your roasted vegetables, steaks, chicken, and countless other meals!

You can also make a cowboy butter dipping sauce out of this recipe, which is delicious for dipping thick bread, or slices of meat. Making this homemade butter mixture is super easy too!

WHY I LOVE THIS RECIPE

I love making my own flavored butter so I can choose what seasonings to put in them. When I use the homemade cowboy butter to top our meat dinners or breads, it just enhances the meal with extra seasonings and spices in every bite!

This butter is delicious on top of steaks, chicken, or pork. But can also be used to sauté other foods like vegetables or shrimp, or serve it to spread on dinner rolls. 

I love this flavor profile, but it's so easy to switch up the ingredients to change up the flavors!

Looking for other meals to use with this butter, try this air fryer Ribeye steak, air fryer chicken breast, air fryer pork chops, or air fryer shrimp.

WHAT IS COWBOY BUTTER?

Cowboy butter is basically a softened butter mixture, combined with fresh herbs and spices, then cut into slices to put on top of meats, veggies, or melted and used as a dipping sauce.

This cowboy butter recipe is mixed with delicious seasonings and flavors like Dijon mustard and smoked paprika. The best thing about this compound butter, is that you can change up the ingredients to match what you are making and have a variety of butter flavors on the table with dinner!

INGREDIENTS

• unsalted butter, softened
• fresh garlic, minced
• fresh parsley, finely chopped
• fresh chives, finely chopped
• Dijon mustard
• Worcestershire sauce
• smoked paprika
• crushed red pepper flakes 
• chili powder- or a pinch of cayenne pepper
• Kosher salt and black pepper to taste

HOW TO MAKE COWBOY BUTTER SAUCE

STEP 1
In a small pan, melt the butter over low to medium heat. 

STEP 2
Gently stir in the herbs and spices until well combined with the melted butter. 

STEP 3
Transfer to a small bowl or serving dish to use a sauce. It can also be spooned or poured over your dish before serving. 

HOW TO MAKE COWBOY BUTTER

STEP 1
In a medium bowl, combine softened butter, minced garlic, chopped parsley, chopped chives, Worcestershire sauce, smoked paprika, red pepper flakes, chili powder, salt, and black pepper.

STEP 2
Use an electric mixer or large fork to combine the butter with all of the ingredients, until well combined. Taste the butter to make sure the flavor and seasonings are to your liking. 

STEP 3
Once the butter is well combined, transfer to parchment paper, wax paper, or plastic wrap. Roll it into the shape of a log and wrap it tightly. 

STEP 4
Place the roll of butter in the refrigerator until the butter is firm and can be sliced. Serve slices on top of meat, fish, or breads. 

TIPS

Allow the butter to come to room temperature before adding the other ingredients. This helps mixing everything easier. 

Taste the butter before chilling to make sure you are happy with the flavors. You may want to adjust the seasonings to your taste. 

Allow the butter to chill for about 30-60 minutes before using so it can be easily sliced for toppings. 

VARIATIONS

Serve this cowboy butter with a variety of dishes! Besides adding a slice on top of your favorite steak dinner, add a slice to a bowl of hot vegetables, baked potatoes, or pasta, and stir it together as it melts. Or stir in a slice with your favorite pasta and bread slices!

Here are a few other of my favorite combination of ingredients for other compound butter recipes: 

BLUE CHEESE AND BACON- add in ¼ cup of blue cheese with 3 or 4 slices of crumbled crispy bacon to the softened butter. This is our absolute favorite flavor to add on top of salmon!

BASIL PESTO AND SUNDRIED TOMATO- Combine a tablespoon of basil pesto with a tablespoon of sundried tomato with salt and pepper to taste. This cowboy butter is delicious with Italian foods like pastas, chickens, and is amazing with crusty bread. 

SPICY BUTTER- If you don't mind slightly chunky ingredients mixed with your butter, you can add hot salsa. Or add in hot sauce with a pinch of chili powder or cayenne pepper. 

CHEESY BUTTER- Add in your favorite shredded cheeses like cheddar cheese, parmesan cheese, or whatever flavor combination you like to make a cheesy log of butter. 

STORING

Keep leftover cowboy butter wrapped tightly or in an airtight container, and keep stored in the refrigerator for 1-2 weeks. You can also freeze in a freezer-safe container for 3-6 months. 

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

MORE EASY RECIPES

I love making different flavors of cowboy butter to top our favorite foods. Try it and feel free to change up the spices. It adds so much extra flavor!

📖 Recipe