Description
Cowboy Butter is a flavorful compound butter perfect to elevate steaks and a variety of other dishes such as cooked meats, seafood, and vegetables. This simple yet robust butter combines garlic sautéed to a delicate golden, Dijon mustard, smoked paprika, chili flakes, and kosher salt to create a rich and spicy spread that melts beautifully over hot foods.
Ingredients
Scale
Butter Mixture
- 100g / 7 tbsp unsalted butter, softened, divided
- 1 large garlic clove, finely minced (about 1 tsp)
- 1 tbsp Dijon mustard
- 1 tsp smoked paprika (can substitute regular paprika)
- 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 butter over medium heat until it starts foaming. Add the finely minced garlic and cook for 30 seconds while stirring until it becomes very light golden. Remove the pan from heat and let the garlic cool for 3 minutes, during which the garlic will continue to turn a more golden hue.
- Mix ingredients: Place the remaining softened butter and all other ingredients except the sautéed garlic into a small mixing bowl. Pour the garlic butter on top. Mix thoroughly until all ingredients are well combined and smooth.
- Serve: Use the Cowboy Butter immediately with steak, letting it melt over the hot meat to enhance flavor. It also pairs excellently with other cooked meats, seafood, and vegetables.
- Optional storage methods: Use softened for immediate spreading. Alternatively, gently melt the butter to create a dipping sauce for steak bites. Or, roll the butter into a log using cling wrap, refrigerate until firm, then slice off coins as needed to place on hot steak for melting.
Notes
- Use a knife to finely mince garlic for best flavor release.
- Adjust chili flakes to taste for desired heat level.
- Halve salt quantity if using fine table salt instead of kosher salt to avoid over-salting.
- Butter can be refrigerated for later use; bring to room temperature before serving for easy spreading.
- Compound butter can be a great way to add quick flavor to a variety of dishes beyond steak.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 5 minutes
- Category: Condiment
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: Cowboy Butter, compound butter, garlic butter, steak butter, spicy butter, steak topping, meat condiment
