Published December 4, 2024. This post may contain affiliate links. Please read my disclosure policy.
This easy Steak Butter Recipe is the best way to make your steak dinner memorable. Infused with garlic, fresh herbs, citrus, and a splash of Worcestershire sauce, I always keep a batch in my fridge when I want to elevate my seared steaks.
I’m a huge fan of compound butter recipes for steak, and this steak butter offers the perfect middle ground between classic compound butter and simple roasted garlic butter. Every knob of it tastes rich, savory, and slightly tangy and melts perfectly over practically any pan-seared or reverse-seared steak.
Steak Butter
Steak butter (sometimes called cowboy butter) is gourmet whipped compound butter infused with fresh herbs, garlic, Worcestershire sauce, and a splash of citrus. It’s easy to make with an electric mixer in about 10 minutes. I recommend making each batch at least 1 or 2 days in advance to give the layers of flavors time to get to know each other and for the consistency of the butter to harden.
This versatile seasoned butter can be sliced and placed directly on top of a sizzling steak or melted for an indulgent drizzling or dipping option. I enjoy it with practically any cut of steak, but it’s also delicious paired with roasted vegetables, spread on toasted bread, or used as a dip for lobster, crab, and seafood. No matter how you decide to indulge, this flavor-rich butter is one of the best and easiest ways to create a fine dining experience from the comfort of your kitchen.
Ingredients and Substitutions
- Butter – I like to use either room-temperature homemade butter or grass-fed unsalted butter in my cooking and baking because it gives me more control over the sodium levels and seasonings. You can use salted butter as a substitute, but be cautious when adding additional salt.
- Garlic — Fresh garlic cloves in steak butter infuse it with a robust, savory flavor that pairs perfectly with steak. In a pinch, you can substitute 2 teaspoons of pre-minced garlic or garlic powder, but fresh garlic is always the best choice.
- Herbs – Just like my Herb and Garlic Compound Butter, fresh parsley, chives, and thyme were my herbs of choice in this recipe. Together, they add a refreshing and earthy depth of flavor. Feel free to use dry herbs as a substitute. You’ll need 3 teaspoons each of parsley and chives and 1 teaspoon of thyme.
- Worcestershire – This is the secret to the savory umami flavor and overall richness here. If you don’t have it, substitute an equal amount of soy sauce or balsamic vinegar.
- Acid – Fresh or bottled lemon juice cuts through the richness of the butter to brighten up the whole dish.
- Seasonings – Coarse salt and freshly cracked pepper bring out the butter’s natural flavors and enhance the steak’s overall taste.
How to Make Steak Butter
Add the softened butter to the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment.
Whip the butter on high speed until it’s light and fluffy.
Remove the bowl from the mixer and use a spatula to fold in the minced garlic, fresh parsley, chives, thyme, Worcestershire sauce, lemon juice, salt, and pepper. Taste and adjust the seasonings as needed.
Transfer the steak butter to an airtight container or place it on a sheet of parchment paper and roll it into a log.
Store the steak butter in the refrigerator or freezer until it’s time to serve.
Ways to Use Steak Butter
You can serve the steak butter directly from the fridge or freezer. Add scoops or slices to a freshly cooked steak to give it the perfect rich and flavorful finishing touch.
Steak butter can be served with almost any cut of steak but is especially delicious with:
Make-Ahead and Storage
Make-Ahead: This recipe should be made at least one day before serving to give the flavors time to develop.
How to Store: The butter can be kept in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to one week. It also freezes well for up to three months. Roll it into a log shape using parchment paper or add small portions to ice cube trays, then transfer the frozen butter cubes to a freezer-safe container.
Chef Notes + Tips
- Use room temperature butter for this recipe so it’s easier to work with and whip.
- Use an electric hand-held mixer if you don’t have a stand mixer.
- Whip the butter on high speed for at least 5 to 7 minutes to achieve the ideal light and airy consistency.
- You can also use fresh or dried rosemary, basil, or sage.
- You can also add a pinch of chili powder or dried red pepper flakes for a kick of heat.
- For tang, add a small dollop of Dijon or yellow mustard.
More Butter Recipes
Steak Butter Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 sticks of unsalted butter, at room temperature
- 3 finely minced garlic cloves
- 3 tablespoons finely minced flat leaf Italian parsley
- 3 tablespoons finely minced chives
- 1 tablespoon finely minced fresh thyme
- 1 ½ tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
- Juice of 1/2 lemon, about 1 ½ to 2 tablespoons
- coarse salt and freshly cracked pepper
Instructions
- In a stand mixer with the paddle attachment, whip the butter on high speed until it becomes light and fluffy, which takes about 5 to 7 minutes.
- Remove the bowl from the mixer and fold in the garlic cloves, parsley, chives, thyme, Worcestershire, lemon juice, salt, and pepper. Adjust any seasonings as you see fit.
- Transfer to a container and store in the fridge or freezer. Another options is to place the butter on a piece of parchment paper then rolled to form a cylinder. I like to do this so that I can take slices from it and use them in recipes.
Steak Butter Recipe