Cowboy Butter

cowboybutter Cowboy butter is a type of compound butter that’s packed with flavour and is often used as a condiment or finishing sauce for grilled meats, particularly steak. It’s made by combining various fresh herbs, mustard, spices and citrus with butter, melted to create a rich and savoury mixture. It can be used as a dipping sauce or chilled and used as a spread. Once all the ingredients are mixed together, you can shape the butter into a log, chill or freeze it and then slice it into rounds when you’re ready to use it. These rounds can be placed on top of grilled meats to melt and infuse the dish with their incredible flavours. The butter enhances the natural taste of the meat, adding richness, tang and a hint of spice. It’s like a secret ingredient that takes your grilled dishes to the next level. It also makes a fantastic garlic bread spread. Whether you’re a fan of grilling or simply looking to elevate your meals, cowboy butter sauce is a must-try. Its creamy, flavourful and versatile nature makes it a fantastic addition to a wide variety of dishes. So, saddle up and get ready for the ultimate homemade condiment to add to your recipe repertoire.

½ cup (4 oz) butter, softened
1 tsp. lemon juice, freshly squeezed
1 tsp. lemon zest, freshly grated
1 Tbsp. Dijon mustard
4 cloves garlic, minced
1 Tbsp. fresh parsley, chopped
1 Tbsp. fresh chives, chopped
1 tsp. fresh thyme leaves
½ tsp. ground smoked paprika
⅛ tsp. ground cayenne
⅛ tsp. crushed red pepper flakes
¼ tsp. sea salt
⅛ tsp. black pepper, freshly ground

In a bowl, add the butter, lemon juice, lemon zest, mustard, garlic, parsley, chives, thyme, ground paprika, cayenne, red pepper flakes, salt and pepper.

Mix together with a spatula or wooden spoon until well combined.

You can also prepare this in a stand mixer or food processor.

Shape and Chill:
Transfer the butter mixture to a large sheet of plastic wrap or parchment paper.

Roll the butter into a log shape, pressing and shaping as you go. Twist the ends of the wrap or paper together (like a piece of candy) until very taut and uniform in shape.

Refrigerate the butter for at least 2 hours to allow the flavours to meld and the shape to hold.

To Serve:
To use, remove the butter from the refrigerator and cut it into slices. Top grilled meats and seafood, steamed vegetables or grains, or spread onto bread and broil.

Cook’s Notes:

Cowboy butter can be used as a condiment or finishing sauce for grilled meats such as steaks, chicken or seafood. It can also be melted and drizzled over roasted vegetables, used to flavour pasta dishes or spread on bread.
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator. It typically stays fresh for about 1 week. It can also be frozen for up to 3 months.
To store it in a roll form, simply refrigerate the mixture until it is completely cooled. Then, spoon the mixture onto a long piece of plastic wrap or wax paper. Carefully wrap the paper around the butter, rolling it tightly to form a log shape. Store the wrapped log in the refrigerator or freezer. This convenient roll form allows you to easily slice off portions of the butter to place over your favourite grilled meats as they rest.
Taste and Adjust: Taste as you go along and adjust the seasoning to your liking. You can add a pinch more salt, crushed red pepper flakes or any other ingredient to achieve your desired flavour balance.
Customize: Feel free to experiment with different fresh herbs, spices, or even add other ingredients like hot sauce or Worcestershire sauce to create your own unique variation of cowboy butter that suits your taste preferences.

How to Store Leftovers:

Cowboy butter should be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator. It typically stays fresh for about 1 week. It can also be frozen for up to 3 months.
To store it in a roll form, simply refrigerate the mixture until it is completely cooled. Then, spoon the mixture onto a long piece of plastic wrap or wax paper. Carefully wrap the paper around the butter, rolling it tightly to form a log shape. Store the wrapped log in the refrigerator or freezer. This convenient roll form allows you to easily slice off portions of the butter to place over your favourite grilled meats as they rest.

Ingredients:

Butter: I prefer to use a high-quality butter. Using butter allows you to have complete control over the saltiness of the final spread. While butter can be used as an alternative, I suggest omitting any additional salt when using it in this recipe.
Garlic: This dipping sauce has plenty of fresh minced garlic. If you don’t have any cloves garlic on hand, ½ tsp. of garlic powder can be used.
Crushed red pepper flakes: You can easily scale the spiciness of this cowboy butter by adjusting the amount of crushed red pepper flakes. Not a fan of spice? Simply omit the crushed red pepper flakes. Want even more heat? Add a pinch of cayenne pepper.
Lemon zest and juice: Lemon zest is the outermost part of the lemon peel, rich in aromatic oils. To zest a lemon, use a fine grater or a zester to gently scrape the outermost part of the lemon peel, avoiding the bitter white pith. Always zest your citrus before juicing.
Mustard: I prefer Dijon mustard, but spicy brown mustard, yellow mustard or honey mustard all work well, too. Each will offer a slightly different flavour profile, so choose a mustard you like best.
Spices: Ground paprika adds a subtle smoky flavour and a touch of spiciness. sea salt enhances the overall flavour profile without being overpowering. It has a milder flavour compared to table salt and is less likely to make the butter taste overly salty.
Fresh herbs: For the best tasting comLb butter, opt for fresh herbs as they provide a more pronozd and aromatic profile compared to dried herbs, which can lose some of their potency over time. Don’t have fresh chives? Substitute thinly sliced scallions or finely diced shallots. And for a different herbal note, substitute chopped fresh cilantro for the parsley.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I make this ahead of time? Absolutely. Just like most comLb butters, cowboy butter will last up to one week in the fridge or up to three months in the freezer.
What is the ideal consistency of cowboy butter? The ideal consistency of cowboy butter is smooth, creamy and spreadable. It should be soft enough to easily spread onto grilled meats or melt over other dishes, but firm enough to hold its shape when sliced or dolloped. The butter should be thoroughly mixed with the other ingredients to ensure that all flavours are evenly incorporated.
Can I use dried herbs instead of fresh herbs? While fresh herbs are typically preferred for their vibrant flavour, you can use dried herbs as a substitute. Keep in mind that dried herbs are more concentrated in flavour, so you’ll need to adjust the amounts accordingly.
What can I use cowboy butter for? It can be used as a condiment or finishing sauce for grilled meats such as steaks, chicken or seafood. It can also be melted and drizzled over roasted vegetables, used to flavour pasta dishes or spread on bread.