Steak with Cowboy Butter
If you have been on TikTok lately, you have probably seen Cowboy Butter everywhere. It is basically garlic butter that went to a rodeo—loaded with lemon, dijon mustard, fresh herbs, and a serious kick of cayenne and chili flakes.
For this recipe, we are using Top Round Steak. It is one of the most affordable cuts at the grocery store, but it’s very lean (which usually means dry). That is why Cowboy Butter is the perfect pairing: it adds a massive amount of rich, spicy fat back into the dish.
The trick is to slice the meat thin against the grain and flash-sear it so it stays tender. When you drown it in that spicy, lemony dipping sauce, it tastes like a steakhouse dinner for a fraction of the price. We served ours over mashed potatoes, and I highly recommend you do the same.
Steak with Cowboy Butter
Course: DinnerCuisine: AmericanDifficulty: Easy3
servings20
minutes10
minutes30
minutesA viral steak recipe featuring tender strips of Top Round seared and smothered in ‘Cowboy Butter’—a rich dipping sauce made with garlic, lemon, Dijon mustard, cayenne, and fresh herbs. A budget-friendly steak dinner that tastes expensive.
Ingredients
The Steak:
1.3 lbs Top Round Steak (sliced into thin strips against the grain)
1 tbsp Neutral Oil (vegetable or canola)
2 tsp Worcestershire Sauce
2 tsp Garlic Powder
Salt & Black Pepper (be generous!)
The Cowboy Butter:
12 tbsp Unsalted Butter (1½ sticks), divided
5 Garlic Cloves, minced
1 Shallot, minced
1 Lemon, juiced (approx. 2 tbsp juice)
1 tbsp Dijon Mustard
1 heaping tbsp Fresh Parsley, chopped
1 heaping tbsp Fresh Chives, chopped
1 tsp Dried Thyme
1 tsp Cayenne Pepper
1/2 tsp Red Chili Flakes
1/2 tsp Smoked Paprika
Salt to taste
Directions
- Slice the top round steak against the grain into thin, bite-sized strips. In a bowl, toss the beef with Worcestershire sauce, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Let it sit at room temperature for 15–20 minutes. (This step is crucial for tenderizing lean top round!).
- Heat the oil in a large skillet over high heat until shimmering. Add the steak strips in a single layer (work in batches if needed). Sear quickly—just 45–60 seconds per side—until browned but not overcooked. Remove steak to a plate immediately.
- Lower the heat to medium. Add 1 tablespoon of the butter to the pan. Sauté the minced garlic and shallot for about 1 minute until fragrant and soft.
- Add the remaining 11 tablespoons of butter to the pan. Once melted, whisk in the lemon juice, Dijon mustard, thyme, cayenne, chili flakes, and smoked paprika. Stir well to combine.
- Turn off the heat. Stir in the fresh parsley and chives. Taste and add salt if needed.
- Return the steak (and any resting juices) to the pan to toss in the butter, or serve the steak over mashed potatoes and pour the Cowboy Butter generously over the top.
