Description
Ultimate Cowboy Butter is a rich, flavorful compound butter packed with zesty lemon, tangy mustards, smoky paprika, and fresh herbs, perfect for enhancing steaks, chicken, seafood, potatoes, or vegetables. This versatile butter can be served warm as a dipping sauce or chilled and sliced for a creamy, savory topping that adds a bold cowboy flair to any dish.
Ingredients
Scale
Cowboy Butter Base
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
- 2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
- 1 tablespoon whole grain mustard
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 tablespoon honey or hot honey (optional)
Fresh Herbs
- 1/4 cup fresh parsley, finely chopped
- 2 tablespoons fresh chives, sliced
- 1 tablespoon fresh thyme leaves or 1 teaspoon dried thyme
Instructions
- Soften the butter: Let the unsalted butter sit at room temperature until it is very soft but not melted. This allows it to mix smoothly with the other ingredients for a creamy texture.
- Make the flavor base: In a medium bowl, whisk together the fresh lemon juice, Dijon mustard, whole grain mustard, Worcestershire sauce, and honey or hot honey if using, until the mixture is well combined.
- Add the seasonings: Stir in the minced garlic, smoked paprika, crushed red pepper flakes, onion powder, kosher salt, and black pepper until the mixture forms a smooth, highly flavored paste.
- Mix in the butter: Add the softened butter to the bowl and whisk or stir until fully combined and creamy, ensuring there are no streaks of plain butter remaining.
- Fold in the herbs: Gently fold in the finely chopped parsley, sliced chives, and thyme leaves until the herbs are evenly distributed throughout the butter mixture.
- Choose how to serve: For a warm dipping butter, transfer the mixture to a small saucepan or ramekin and gently warm over low heat until just melted. Alternatively, for a compound butter, scoop the mixture onto parchment paper, roll into a log, and chill in the refrigerator until firm.
- Taste and adjust: Taste the cowboy butter and adjust seasoning by adding more lemon juice, salt, or crushed red pepper to suit your preference before serving.
Notes
- Butter should be soft but not melted to achieve the best consistency.
- Honey or hot honey is optional and adds a touch of sweetness or heat.
- This butter pairs excellently with grilled or pan-seared steaks, roasted chicken, seafood, baked potatoes, and fresh vegetables.
- Store the compound butter wrapped in parchment or plastic wrap in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks or freeze for longer storage.
- Adjust the level of spiciness by varying the amount of crushed red pepper flakes.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Category: Condiment
- Method: No-Cook
- Cuisine: American
