Cowboy Butter with Grilled Steak

Name: Cowboy Butter with Grilled Steak
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 25 min
Yield: 2 servings
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 2 ribeye steaks; salt, to taste; black pepper, to taste; 1/2 cup unsalted butter; 4 cloves garlic, minced; 2 tbsp lemon juice; 1 tsp lemon zest; 1/2 tsp salt; 1/2 tsp black pepper; 1 tsp paprika; 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper; 1 tbsp Dijon mustard; 1 tsp red pepper flakes; 1 tsp fresh thyme; 1 tbsp fresh chives; 2 tbsp fresh parsley

Cowboy Butter is a quick compound butter sauce made with garlic, lemon, paprika, and herbs that elevates grilled steak with rich, savory flavor in just minutes.

🌍American 🏷️Cowboy butter 🏷️Steak sauce 🏷️Grilled steak 🏷️Ribeye Butter sauce

🏷️

🏷️Dipping sauce

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TikTok

Total

25 min

Servings

2

Difficulty

Easy

Est. Cost

$29–$48

Recipe Source

View original recipe

From TikTok

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TikTok

Ingredients

2 ribeye steaks
salt, to taste
black pepper, to taste
1/2 cup unsalted butter
4 cloves garlic, minced
2 tbsp lemon juice
1 tsp lemon zest
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp black pepper
1 tsp paprika
1/4 tsp cayenne pepper
1 tbsp Dijon mustard
1 tsp red pepper flakes
1 tsp fresh thyme
1 tbsp fresh chives
2 tbsp fresh parsley

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Instructions

1
Season steaks generously on all sides with salt and pepper.
2
Grill the steaks over hot coals to your desired doneness.
3
Remove steaks from the grill and let them rest.
4
While the steaks rest, prepare the cowboy butter. Start by melting the butter in a mixing bowl.
5
To the melted butter, add minced garlic, lemon juice, lemon zest, salt, pepper, paprika, cayenne, and Dijon mustard.
6
Whisk the ingredients together until well combined.
7
Add the red pepper flakes, fresh thyme, chives, and parsley to the bowl.
8
Whisk again to fully incorporate the herbs and spices.
9
Slice the rested steak and serve with the cowboy butter for dipping.

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Tips & Notes

Pro tips

Let the butter soften to room temperature before mixing so all ingredients blend smoothly without lumps.
Use freshly minced garlic and zest the lemon while fresh for maximum flavor; bottled versions lack the brightness.
Top the steak immediately after grilling while the butter melts into the meat; this distributes flavor better than cooling first.
Don't skip the rest period on the steak—it allows carryover cooking and lets the butter soak in rather than slide off.

Substitutions

unsalted butter → salted butter (reduce added salt to 1/4 teaspoon total)
paprika → cayenne pepper (use 1/4 teaspoon for less heat; adjust to taste)
ribeye steaks → New York strip, filet mignon, or sirloin (cooking time may vary by thickness)

Storage & make-ahead

Store cowboy butter in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days, or freeze in a log for up to 3 months; thaw at room temperature before serving on hot steak.

Equipment

grill or grill pan · meat thermometer (optional but recommended for accurate doneness)

Common Questions

Can I make cowboy butter ahead of time?

Yes. Mix and chill in an airtight container for up to 5 days, or form into a log, wrap in plastic, and freeze for up to 3 months. Slice onto hot steak as it rests.

What's the best way to cook the ribeye steaks?

Season steaks with salt and pepper, grill over high heat 4–5 minutes per side for medium-rare. Rest for 5 minutes before topping with warm cowboy butter.