Make up a batch of compound butter worthy of grilling season in just minutes! This homemade Cowboy Butter is so delicious on grilled chicken, steak, and lots more. You're going to love this Cowboy Butter recipe!
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Summer has become my favorite season, and not just because of the weather. Somehow the food of summer just tastes better. Maybe it's because we're eating outside, or maybe it's the fresh flavors, but whatever the reason, it's just good!
This garlic butter is full of flavor and complements the flavors of summer perfectly. Of course, it comes from the great Pioneer Woman, so you know it's gotta be good!
What is in Cowboy Butter?
You only need a few simple ingredients:
- Salted Butter
- Fresh Parsley (or other fresh herbs)
- Red Pepper Flakes
- Black Pepper
- Fresh Garlic or roasted garlic
- Lemon Juice and Lemon Zest
How to Make the BEST Cowboy Butter
This is meant to be a brief overview of this great recipe. For step-by-step instructions and a full printable recipe card with ingredients, please scroll down to the teal box below or Jump to Recipe.
Here's our recipe for garlic steak butter that will wow everyone!
- Allow the butter to come to room temperature before starting.
- In a small bowl, beat the softened butter until creamy, then add in the parsley, red pepper flakes, black pepper, minced garlic, lemon juice and zest.
- Mix until well combined.
- Scrape down the sides of the bowl and turn the butter mixture out onto a piece of parchment paper or long piece of plastic wrap.
- Using the back of a spatula, spread out the mixture into a log shape.
- Roll the parchment paper up and twist the ends.
- Refrigerate for at least 4 hours to allow the flavors to come together.
Tips
- Use a microplane to grate the garlic instead of mincing it so it is super fine throughout the Cowboy Butter.
- Use double quantities and make a roll of butter to use now, and then place the second one into a freezer bag, label, and store for up to 6 months.
There is nothing like a big 'ole pat of this Cowboy Butter on top of delicious steak! Serve pats of the butter on top of grilled steak or even chicken at your next cookout and you'll really wow your guests! It also makes incredible garlic bread!
How to Use Cowboy Butter
This Cowboy Butter is SO good on everything! Here are some ways to use it:
- Top grilled steak or chicken with a pat of the butter - no steak dinner is complete without it!
- Sauté shrimp in the melted Cowboy Butter.
- Slather onto dinner rolls.
- Spread onto Italian bread and broil for the most amazing garlic bread.
- Brush the melted butter over homemade Rosemary Focaccia Bread.
- Add to baked potatoes.
- Slather onto grilled corn on the cobb.
Our Favorite Recipes with Cowboy Butter
Equipment
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- Microplane - for testing the lemon
- electric stand mixer OR hand mixer
- cutting board and knife
Storage
Transfer leftover cowboy butter to an airtight container and store in the fridge. (These are my favorite airtight containers.)
You can also freeze it! I like to make a big batch and then place it into a freezer-safe container. It will last up to 3 months.
How Long Does Compound Butter Last?
This deliciousness keeps beautifully in the fridge for 5 days or up to 3 months in the freezer. Make up a big batch because you'll use it ALL THE TIME!
See how easy it is to make:
Variations
You can customize this recipe any way you like. Combine butter with cayenne pepper for a little extra kick. Use a small shallot or a bit of Dijon mustard to tweak the flavor.
You can also use this recipe to create a delicious Cowboy Butter Sauce Recipe that's perfect for a variety of proteins and especially good with my Garlic Cheese Bombs. Like our compound butters, this garlic and butter sauce is also great on steak, chicken, seafood, and more.
If you don't have fresh garlic cloves on hand, you can use garlic powder instead, but it doesn't have quite the same freshness and flavor.
Substitute different herbs for the parsley, for example, fresh chives or basil.
To control the amount of salt in this flavorful butter, use unsalted butter and season to taste.
Related: Learn how to make Butter Rosettes
Cowboy Butter Dipping Sauce
If you love our cowboy herb butter, then you have to also try our delicious cowboy butter dipping sauce recipe.
This versatile sauce is the perfect accompaniment for shrimp and lobster, and just as good on steak. You'll adore it drizzled over roasted veggies, too.
Similar Recipes
You'll love all of our flavorful compound butter recipes that are great with everything from your favorite steak and green beans to breakfast favorites like muffins and biscuits.
- Quick pasta dishes get a boost of flavor with Tomato Basil Compound Butter.
- Cranberry Butter makes a great addition to your holiday dishes.
- Dill Compound Butter is amazing on seafood.
- No brunch spread is complete without this Maple Bacon Butter!
- Garlic Basil Compound Butter makes the most amazing garlic bread you've ever tried!
You can also use cowboy butter to make the famous TikTok butter board. You'll love this for dinner parties and holiday get togethers!
If you love bold flavors, you'll also enjoy our cowboy corn casserole.
Not ready to make our Cowboy Butter Recipe yet?
Be sure to pin this recipe for later!
And, if you love this recipe, please give it a 5-star rating!
Cowboy Butter
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Equipment
- Electric Mixer with paddle attachment OR
Ingredients
- 1 cup salted butter (2 sticks)
- ¼ cup finely minced fresh parsley
- A pinch of red pepper flakes
- A pinch of coarsely ground black pepper
- 1 clove garlic finely minced
- juice and zest of ½ lemon
Instructions
- Allow the butter to come to room temperature before starting.1 cup salted butter
- Into the bowl of a mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, add the room temperature butter.
- Beat the butter until creamy, then add in the parsley, red pepper flakes, black pepper, minced garlic, lemon juice and zest.¼ cup finely minced fresh parsley, A pinch of red pepper flakes, A pinch of coarsely ground black pepper, 1 clove garlic, juice and zest of ½ lemon
- Mix until well combined.
- Scrape down the sides of the bowl and turn the mixture out onto a piece of parchment paper.
- Using the back of a spatula, spread out the mixture into a log shape.
- Roll the parchment paper up and twist the ends like a piece of candy.
- Refrigerate the log of butter for at least 4 hours to allow the flavors to come together.
Video
For best results, be sure to check our Tips and FAQs above with important tips and questions that can help your delicious recipe come out perfectly.
Nutrition
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Teresa says
This is such a great idea! I never thought of doing anything with butter, but how fun! This would be great at a party. I can't wait to try it. Thanks:)
Steph says
Yum - I love compound butters, and this one sounds like it might go with several things we frequently make!
Robin says
I don't think I understand about the 2 sticks of butter being 1/2 cup. Two sticks = 1 cup. Do you mean the short sticks?
Ang Paris says
So sorry, that's a typo. It's 1 cup of butter (2 sticks). We've corrected the recipe. Thanks for your note!!
Karen says
The video says half cup and I didn't watch til later and my lemon juice did not mix in... Was not using a beater and I used 1 cup butter as per your recipe
Ang Paris says
Hi Karen, a mixing bowl or hand mixer is best when making this recipe. I see that the video and recipe card don't match - great catch! I'll fix that 🙂
One other quick tip for you:
If the butter is very cold, it is harder to incorporate the lemon juice.
Robin says
This sounds awesome! Do you think if dried herbs instead of fresh herbs were used, it would last longer in the refrigerator?
Ang Paris says
Possibly, but I think the fresh herbs give it a better flavor. If you try it either way let me know what you think 🙂
Nick says
Do I need to add sugar when creaming the butter?
Ang Paris says
Nope, there's no sugar in this recipe. You're just whipping the butter so it's creamy and smooth 🙂
Laraine says
can't wait to make these with a loaf of homemade French bread for Christmas gifts!
Frieda Miller says
I’m always looking for tho ha that seem really fancy - but are actually super easy. I’ve taken to the cowboy butter - I usually make it look fancy (sometimes making ahead and piping into florets or such) but at usually only takes me a few minutes to do. Thanks for good ideas!
Brittany says
Can I put this in the freezer for longer storage?
Ang Paris says
Hi Brittany! Yes, you can freeze it for up to 3 months. Compound butter is a great little addition for holidays and parties that you can make ahead of time.
It really adds a nice touch to so many dishes. Thanks for stopping by!
Bobbie - The Courageous Chicken says
This looks so tasty and delicious! I have featured it in a recipe roundup on my website. Thank you so much for this awesome recipe.
Ang Paris says
Thanks so much for including my recipe Bobbie!
Gail Plaskiewicz says
I don't like lemon at all & being a super taster, I can't handle the red pepper flakes even though there is only a pinch. I know that's how cowboy's like their food, spicy, but not me. Could I leave out the lemon & maybe add a little more black pepper for the red pepper flakes or maybe rosemary? I'd like to try this one! I like a lot of your recipes & I can't wait to try some of them.
Ang Paris says
Hi Gail, thanks for your note. I'm so glad you like our recipes 🙂
I think that this recipe might not be the right one for you. Type COMPOUND BUTTER in the search bar and check out our many other recipes. You might really enjoy the Garlic Basil Butter.
Happy cooking!
Natalie Shaw says
Yum, this sounds and looks amazing! My family would love this on some toasted french bread! Perfect dinner idea to add to the menu, thanks!
Ang Paris says
YES! It is SO good for garlic bread, Natalie!
Thanks so much for your note 🙂
Ellen says
We love compound butters. So many great ways to use them.
Ang Paris says
They really add something special!
Thanks for visiting Ellen 🙂
Melissa Riker says
I'm always looking for new compound butter recipes, thanks so much!!
Ang Paris says
I hope you get a chance to try this soon 🙂
Thanks so much for visiting Melissa!
Cathy McCormick says
I tried the recipe yesterday and used it on the reverse seared steak method and it was awesome, the BEST tasting steak I have had anywhere in a very long time. Thanks for sharing!!
Ang Paris says
I'm so glad you enjoyed it! Thanks so much for letting me know you loved the recipe, too 🙂
Pamela says
Do you put this on the steak while your grilling it, or after when its done?
Ang Paris says
Hi Pamela! Put the butter onto the steak after it's done grilling.
regina says
I don't know how I ever enjoyed steak before this - cowboy butter is the BOMB!
Thank you for this recipe!!
Steve says
I made this and love it. I’m making it again today. My only other comment is that I kept it for at least 6 weeks in the refrigerator. It was just about as good as freshly made at the end. I suppose you erred on the cautious side because of the fresh ingredients, but I think the salt in the butter kept it fine.
Andrea Cardwell says
EXCELLENT! I made this last night for our steaks. So delicious.
Sara S. says
I literally cannot get enough of this! I made a huge batch and I put it on everything - steak, chicken, garlic bread, baked potatoes - it is SO good! Thank you!!
Ruby Carrell says
It was delicious on our steaks!
Ang Paris says
Hi Ruby! I'm so glad you enjoyed it!! 🙂
Sarah says
This was absolutely perfect with dinner last night!!
ted says
I love this recipe. I have tried it on fish,pork and turkey so far. It adds so much flavor. I added a little bit of smoked paprika to mine for flavor, but it also adds a little color, too.
Samantha says
I made this without the red pepper flakes and added a little bit of Dijon mustard. I served it at my family reunion and people were eating it with everything - chicken, grilled potatoes, corn on the cob. I got so many compliments. THANK YOU!!
Brenda says
Love the quick and easy and tasty recipes you share!!
Ang Paris says
Thank you so much! I hope you love making this cowboy butter!
Randy says
I made this but added a little hot sauce and put it on grilled ribeye steak and it was amazing! I want to try your cowboy butter sauce recipe next.