Food and Recipes Fats Butter Cowboy Butter 4.5 (2) 2 Reviews This supremely flavorful compound butter can be a dip, spread, or steak topper. By Jackie Freeman Jackie Freeman Jackie is a professional chef and cookbook author with over 25 years of experience in the food industry. Her talents include a wide range of skills such as a cheesemaker, farmhand, culinary instructor, recipe developer, TV and radio personality, and food stylist. Southern Living's editorial guidelines Published on April 27, 2023 Print Rate It Share Share Tweet Pin Email Photo: Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox Active Time: 10 mins Total Time: 2 hrs 10 mins Servings: 8 While compound butters have been used by chefs for decades to elevate basic dishes, cowboy butter is a favorite with home cooks. Combining butter with herbs, spices, garlic, and other flavorful ingredients turns the spread into a high-impact ingredient. Here, learn how to make cowboy butter and how to use it for unforgettable meals. What Is Cowboy Butter? Cowboy Butter is a type of compound butter, which is a mixture of herbs, spices, and butter, formed into a roll and then sliced. Cowboy butter can also be melted and mixed with all these ingredients for a dip. However, mixing it with butter and forming it into a log makes it easier to make ahead and have this flavorful butter ready for dinner. It's the perfect pairing for a grilled ribeye steak, roasted potatoes, or roast beef sliders. But we wouldn't be opposed to eating a smear on baguette or fresh radishes. Ingredients in Cowboy Butter Our recipe for cowboy butter calls for butter, garlic, parsley, chives, smoked paprika, lemon zest, Dijon mustard, crushed red pepper, salt, and black pepper. If you want a little more heat, use cayenne in place of the crushed red pepper. Coarse mustard provides a stronger flavor and texture in place of Dijon. Once you make cowboy butter for the first time, you can mix and match the other ingredients to create one you and your family love. Compound butters are very forgiving and great for creativity. They're also a fun way to use up surplus herbs and spices in a unique way. How Many Sticks Of Butter Are In One Cup? Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox Temperature Tip Though this recipe is super simple, it’s easiest to make when the butter is at room temperature, so plan ahead a bit and leave your butter on the counter for about an hour (depending on your home's heat). How To Serve Cowboy Butter You can use it to top grilled steaks, chicken, fish fillets, and vegetables. Cowboy Butter also makes a fantastic garlic bread spread, or melt it for a dip. Consider using it in sliders like these French Dip Sliders for a certain special something on a classic appetizer. It would be fantastic spread on a hamburger, too. Can I Make Cowboy Butter Ahead of Time? You can keep it in the fridge for up to a week or freeze it for 6 months. Can You Freeze Butter? Ingredients 1/2 cup (4 oz.) unsalted butter, at room temperature 4 cloves garlic, minced 1 Tbsp. chopped fresh parsley 1 Tbsp. chopped fresh chives 1 tsp. smoked paprika 1 tsp. lemon zest, from 1 lemon 1 tsp. Dijon mustard Pinch crushed red pepper 1 tsp. salt 1/2 tsp. black pepper Directions Stir the butter and other ingredients together: In a bowl, add the butter, garlic, parsley, chives, paprika, lemon zest, mustard, red pepper flakes, salt, and pepper. Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox Mix together with a spatula or wooden spoon until well combined. Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox 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. Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox 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. Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox Refrigerate the butter for at least 2 hours to allow the flavors to meld and the shape to hold. Get ready to use: 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. Rate it Print