It only takes 10 minutes to make one of the best butter sauces of all time. Cowboy Butter is a garlic butter sauce with herbs, a kick, and a brightness from some lemon. It’s the best for steak, grilled chicken, and even spreading it on crusty bread. After trying it you’ll never want to stick with plain butter again.
You get to make it with stuff you probably already have. This cowboy butter recipe will go step by step on tips, and information to customize your dip to make as much as you want, whenever you want.
What is Cowboy Butter?
The butter is combined with Dijon mustard, garlic, herbs, lemon juice, and some spicy little red pepper flakes to make a butter sauce. It’s been at steakhouses and cookouts for a long time. It became a social media sensation for being versatile and delicious.
You can use this as a dip or a sauce, and you can even put it cold on bread or corn. It goes with almost everything.
- Bold and packed with flavor
- Dip, drizzle, and spread
- Simple ingredients, and under 10 min
- Great for summer grilling
- Impress your friends with no effort!
Store bought vs homemade cowboy butter
There is no competition. Store bought is not even in the same ballpark as homemade, and you can decide how spicy, salty, or herby you want it, and it takes under 10 minutes to make, so you have no excuses for not making it.
Butter!
This is the most important ingredient. Make sure to use unsalted butter so you can control the salt level yourself. Good quality butter makes a big difference here, so go for the best you can find.
Garlic
Fresh garlic is used in the recipe which gives the sauce the bold flavor it needs to be addicting. Garlic powder can be used when in a pinch but it is always recommended to use fresh garlic.
Lemon
Both lemon juice and lemon zest are required. The juice cuts through the richness in the sauce and brightens everything up. The zest adds a deeper lemony flavor that really helps it pop.
Dijon Mustard
Dijon mustard is used in the sauce and it is actually a secret ingredient. It adds tang and depth that is hard to explain but really should not be left out of the sauce. A small amount is used but it helps out a lot.
Fresh Herbs
Parsley is used but there are some other options that can be used too such as chives, thyme, and rosemary. Fresh herbs are better in this sauce because they provide the sauce a brightness and color that dry herbs cannot.
Red Pepper Flakes
This is the part that adds spice to the sauce. If you want it spicy add more, and if you want it mild take out some.
Seasoning
- Salt and black pepper
- Smoked paprika, for depth and color
- Extra heat? Add cayenne pepper
Most Important Tips for the Best Cowboy Butter
- REAL butter only! No substitues or margarine! The butter is a must here.
- Watch the garlic! If you’re doing the warm version, keep the heat low. If the garlic burns it will ruin the sauce.
- NO BOTTLED LEMON JUICE! No, don’t even think about it. It’s too fake tasting, you need real lemon juice.
- Taste and season as you go. Cowboy butter should be bold, but balanced.
- Flavors need to come together. Let it sit for about 5 minutes to let the sauce relax.
Cowboy Butter Recipe (Classic Version)
Servings: 6 to 8 as a dipping sauce
Time:
- Prep: 5 minutes
- Cook: 5 minutes
- Total: 10 minutes
Ingredients
- 1 stick (½ cup) unsalted butter
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
- 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon lemon zest
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, finely chopped
- 1 tablespoon fresh chives, chopped
- ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes (adjust to taste)
- ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
- ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional)
- Salt and black pepper to taste
Optional add-ins:
- 1 teaspoon fresh thyme leaves
- 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce for extra depth
- 1 teaspoon horseradish for a bold kick
Step-by-Step Instructions
Step 1: Melt the butter
In a small saucepan, melt the butter over low to medium-low heat. You want it melted and warm, not bubbling or browning. Keep the heat gentle.
Step 2: Add the garlic
Once the butter is melted, add the minced garlic. Let it cook for about 1 to 2 minutes, stirring constantly. You want it fragrant and soft, not browned. This step is important, so do not rush it.Step 3: Including the mustard and lemon.
Add the Dijon mustard, lemon juice, and lemon zest, and mix it well to combine. It may look thick at first, but it will smooth out with stirring.
Step 4: Including the herbs and spices
Add in the parsley, chives, red pepper flakes, and smoked paprika, and cayenne, mix everything together once again, and let it sit on low heat for another minute to let the flavors develop.
Step 4: Including the herbs and spices
This step is probably the most important step in the process. You should taste the butter and season it to your preference. You may add salt and black pepper to your preference. If you want it spicier, you can add more red pepper flakes to it. If you want it brighter, you can add more lemon juice to it.
Step 5: You can serve some butter!
You can pour it into a small bowl or a ramekin and serve it warm for dipping. If you’re going to spread it, let it cool a little. It’s best to serve it immediately while it’s still warm and smells good.
Best Things to Serve with Cowboy Butter
Cowboy Butter goes well with almost everything. Here are some great things to pair with it:
Proteins:
- Grilled steak (this is the best classic pair)
- Grilled or pan-seared chicken
- Shrimp skewers
- Salmon or other grilled fish
- Lobster tails
Vegetables and Sides:
- Grilled corn on the cob
- Roasted potatoes
- Steamed broccoli or asparagus
- Grilled zucchini
Bread:
- Crusty French bread or sourdough
- Dinner rolls
- Cornbread
Variations (Easy Ways to Change the Flavor)
1) Cold Compound Butter (Spreadable Version)
Instead of melting everything, let the butter soften at room temp. Mix all of the ingredients into the soft butter (you can use a fork or a hand mixer). Roll it into a log with some plastic wrap and let it chill in the fridge for at least one hour. Slice it and serve on top of steak or bread. This works great for meal prep.
2) Spicy Cowboy Butter
For those who love heat with their grilled meats, add extra cayenne, more red pepper flakes, and a sprinkle of hot sauce.
3) Smoky Cowboy Butter
Just double the amount of smoked paprika and include a touch of chipotle pepper in adobo sauce. It gives a nice deep smoky taste and is amazing on grilled chicken or ribs.
4) Garlic Herb Cowboy Butter
Skip the spicy stuff altogether and just focus on the herbs. Just throw in some thyme and rosemary, plus even more parsley. This one is more delicate and refined, and is the best one for fish or dinner rolls.
5) Cowboy Butter with Horseradish
For a bold, zesty addition, just throw in a teaspoon of prepared horseradish. This one is really good with steak and prime rib.
6) Brown Butter Cowboy Butter
Instead of just melting the butter, let it cook some more until it turns golden brown and starts smelling nutty. Then add the rest of the stuff. The nutty taste will really add to the depth of the sauce.
Make-Ahead and Storage Tips
Can you make cowboy butter in advance? Yes, and it actually improves with time because the flavors have more time to meld. You can prepare it up to 3 days in advance and keep it in the fridge.
Refrigerating:
Refrigerating: Store in the fridge for up to one week in an airtight container or sealed jar. Gently reheat on the stove over low heat or in the microwave for 15 seconds, stirring between each heating.
Freezing:
Cowboy butter, especially the cold compound version, freezes really well. Roll it into a log, wrap it tightly in plastic wrap, then place it in a freezer bag. It’ll keep for up to two months. Slice off what you need and let it thaw in the fridge overnight.
Troubleshooting
The butter is separating.
This usually means the heat is too high or the sauce cooled off too much. To fix it, whisk it back together over very low heat. Adding a splash of warm water while whisking can help.
It tastes too salty.
Corned beef has a lot of salt, and so does butter sometimes. If it tastes too salty, add more lemon juice or serve it with unsalted bread to balance it out.
The garlic taste is too strong
I can definitely see why you would say that. Chances are the garlic was added raw with not enough cook time. You will want to remember to saute garlic in the butter for at least two minutes before adding anything else. You can also use roasted garlic. Its flavor is milder and sweeter.
It’s not thick enough.
The warm version of cowboy butter is meant to be loose and pourable. If you are looking for something thicker then use the cold compound butter. That one will keep its shape significantly better.
The herbs turned dark
This is from not keeping a steady temp. Always add the fresh herbs after the heat is off, or at the very least, at very low heat. That way your herbs will remain looking fresh and vibrant instead of brown.
Ingredient Notes (Small Details That Help)
Butter Temperature Matters
Let the butter soften before you mix it. If you are doing the cold compound version you will want it to be soft but not melted, which will take about 30 minutes at room temperature before mixing.
Fresh vs Dried Herbs
Fresh herbs are the way to go. If you’re using dried herbs then use about one third of the amount since dried herbs are more concentrated.Zesting is Not Optional
Zesting is a pain but you can’t just use the lemon juice. The lemon juice creates a different flavor than what is created when you use the zest. Don’t skip it if you can help it.
Dijon vs. Yellow Mustard
The flavor of the Dijon mustard is smooth and more complex than yellow mustard, which is just sharper and more vinegary. If you can, go with Dijon.
Cowboy Butter FAQs
Can I use salted butter?
You can if you want, but it’ll be harder to control the salt level. If you use salted butter, do not add extra salt until you taste it.
Is cowboy butter the same as garlic butter?
Not exactly. Garlic butter is simpler and just consists of butter, garlic, and parsley. Cowboy butter has more going on with the Dijon mustard, lemon, smoked paprika, and red pepper flakes. It is different and more complex.
Can I make it dairy-free?
Yes. Use a good quality vegan butter like Miyoko’s or Earth Balance. The flavor will be slightly different but still really good.
How hot is it?
With a standard amount of red pepper flakes it comes in at a mild to medium heat, but you can easily adjust that to your own preference.
Can I use this as a marinade?
Absolutely! Brush it over chicken or steak when it’s time to grill. Amazing flavor comes from letting the meat rest in it for at least 30 minutes to an hour before grilling.
Is it good with fish?
You bet it is! Cowboy butter and shrimp is a match made in heaven. It also works great with lobster, scallops, and grilled salmon.
Quick Summary
- Compost the butter on low
- Drop some garlic in the pot and let it sizzle for a few minutes
- Drizzle in some Dijon mustard, and some of that squishy lemon.
- Commence the herb and spice parade.
- Declare it a masterpiece with a taste and a little more steam.
- Pair this with your steak, or some bread, or anything, and just like, serve it.
Explore More
For more scrumptious recipes and cooking tips, check out our website for more meals to make at home!
