Cowboy Butter is a rich, flavorful compound butter made with garlic, fresh herbs, lemon, and warming spices. It’s famous for being served with grilled steak, but it also elevates chicken, shrimp, vegetables, fish, and even bread.

This butter can be used melted as a dipping sauce or shaped into a log and sliced onto hot food so it melts slowly and spreads its flavor. It is bold, zesty, slightly spicy, and incredibly aromatic — a simple recipe that makes any dish taste gourmet.

Ingredients

• 1 stick unsalted butter (8 tablespoons), softened
• 4 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 tablespoon spicy brown mustard (or Dijon)
• Juice of ½ lemon
• Zest of ½ lemon
• 1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley
• 1 teaspoon chopped fresh chives
• 1 teaspoon chopped fresh thyme
• 1 teaspoon paprika (smoked paprika recommended)
• ½ teaspoon cayenne pepper
• ½ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
• Salt and black pepper to taste

How to Make Cowboy Butter

You can prepare cowboy butter in two different ways:

1. as a sauce
2. as a compound butter log

Option 1: Cowboy Butter Sauce

Perfect as a dipping sauce for steak, chicken, shrimp, vegetables, or bread.

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Melt the butter gently in a small saucepan or in the microwave.
2. Add the minced garlic and let it warm for a few seconds to release its flavor.
3. Stir in the mustard, lemon juice, lemon zest, herbs, paprika, cayenne, red pepper flakes, salt, and black pepper.
4. Mix well until everything is evenly combined.
5. Serve immediately as a warm dipping sauce or pour over freshly grilled food.

Option 2: Cowboy Compound Butter Log

Great for placing a slice on hot steak, fish, or veggies.

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Place the softened butter in a bowl.
2. Add the garlic, mustard, lemon juice, lemon zest, herbs, paprika, cayenne, red pepper flakes, salt, and pepper.
3. Mix thoroughly until the mixture is smooth and fully combined.
4. Place the butter onto a sheet of plastic wrap.
5. Roll it into a tight log, about 1 inch (2–3 cm) thick.
6. Chill in the refrigerator until firm (about 1–2 hours).
7. Slice into rounds and serve on hot foods so it melts beautifully.

Tips for Success

• Use softened butter — not melted — for the log version.
• For extra flavor, you can add:
  • a splash of Worcestershire sauce
  • a pinch of onion powder
  • finely chopped shallots
  • a touch of hot sauce
• Smoked paprika gives a deeper, richer taste.
• Lemon zest adds freshness — don’t skip it.

How to Serve Cowboy Butter

Cowboy Butter is extremely versatile. Serve it with:

• Steak
• Grilled or roasted chicken
• Shrimp or fish
• Roasted vegetables
• Corn on the cob
• Potatoes (baked or mashed)
• Garlic bread
• Grilled mushrooms
• Fresh baguette as a dipping sauce

It upgrades simple meals into restaurant-quality dishes.

Storage

• Refrigerator:
  Store in an airtight container up to 5 days.
• Freezer (compound butter log):
  Wrap tightly and freeze for 2–3 months.
  Slice when needed.
• To use from frozen:
  Let thaw in the fridge or slice directly onto hot food.