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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!
Our Cowboy Butter is the ultimate compound butter recipe!
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 Cowboy Butter is full of flavor and compliments 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?
- Salted Butter
- Fresh Parsley
- Red Pepper Flakes
- Black Pepper
- Fresh Garlic
- Lemon Juice and Zest
How to Make the BEST Cowboy Butter
- Allow the butter to come to room temperature before starting.
- Beat the 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 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.
- Refrigerate for at least 4 hours to allow the flavors to come together.
PRO TIP: Use a microplane to grate the garlic instead of mincing it so it is super fine throughout the Cowboy Butter.
There is nothing like a big ‘ole pat of this Cowboy Butter on top of a perfectly grilled 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 an incredible garlic bread!
How Long Does Compound Butter Last?
These deliciousness keeps beautifully in the fridge for 5 days or up to 6 months in the freezer. Make up a big batch because you’ll use it ALL THE TIME!
Ways 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
- Saute shrimp in the melted Cowboy Butter
- Spread onto Italian bread and broil for the most amazing garlic bread
Our Favorite Recipes with Cowboy Butter
from left to right:
- Roasted Chicken and Vegetables with Cowboy Butter
- Best Oven Roasted Pork Tenderloin
- Garlic Chicken Wings with Cowboy Butter
Cowboy Butter with garlic, lemon, parsley and a pinch of red pepper flake makes this oven roasted pork tenderloin extra special.PIN FOR LATER
See how easy it is to make:
More Amazing Recipes:
- 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!
Cowboy Butter Recipe
If you love this recipe, please give it a 5 star rating!
Cowboy Butter
As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
Ingredients
- 1 cup salted butter 2 sticks
- 1/4 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.
- Beat the 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 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.
- Refrigerate for at least 4 hours to allow the flavors to come together.
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:)
Yum – I love compound butters, and this one sounds like it might go with several things we frequently make!
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?
So sorry, that’s a typo. It’s 1 cup of butter (2 sticks). We’ve corrected the recipe. Thanks for your note!!
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
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.
This sounds awesome! Do you think if dried herbs instead of fresh herbs were used, it would last longer in the refrigerator?
Possibly, but I think the fresh herbs give it a better flavor. If you try it either way let me know what you think 🙂
Do I need to add sugar when creaming the butter?
Nope, there’s no sugar in this recipe. You’re just whipping the butter so it’s creamy and smooth 🙂
can’t wait to make these with a loaf of homemade French bread for Christmas gifts!
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!
Can I put this in the freezer for longer storage?
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!
This looks so tasty and delicious! I have featured it in a recipe roundup on my website. You can see it here. https://thecourageouschicken.com/easy-homemade-butter/ Thank you so much for this awesome recipe. Feel free to share!
Thanks so much for including my recipe Bobbie!
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.
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!
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!
YES! It is SO good for garlic bread, Natalie!
Thanks so much for your note 🙂
We love compound butters. So many great ways to use them.
They really add something special!
Thanks for visiting Ellen 🙂
I’m always looking for new compound butter recipes, thanks so much!!
I hope you get a chance to try this soon 🙂
Thanks so much for visiting Melissa!
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!!
I’m so glad you enjoyed it! Thanks so much for letting me know you loved the recipe, too 🙂
Do you put this on the steak while your grilling it, or after when its done?
Hi Pamela! Put the butter onto the steak after it’s done grilling.
I don’t know how I ever enjoyed steak before this – cowboy butter is the BOMB!
Thank you for this recipe!!
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.
EXCELLENT! I made this last night for our steaks. So delicious.
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!!