This zesty homemade condiment will have you saying “yeehaw!” in no time.
There are some condiments out there that are full of surprises. This is one of them.
As a unique mix of butter, mustard, fresh herbs, and spices, cowboy butter is crafted with an iconic flavor that can’t be replicated. In my opinion, it’s best served at parties with slices of baguette and crackers—an excellent appetizer that tides people over until dinner. But as a flavorful spread that melts when it hits hot bread, it also goes great on paninis or toast. There’s not really a limit to how versatile cowboy butter can be when you wield it wisely.
This spread is the kind my younger cousin—who’s obsessed with spices—would fall in love with. But it’s not too overpowering or hot. It has just the right amount of spiciness and zest, with a rich and earthy taste that keeps you wanting more. So no matter how you enjoy cowboy butter, it’s worth a try in both snacks and meals.
What is cowboy butter?
Cowboy butter is one of many different types of compound butter—a blend of butter and other flavorful ingredients. There are variations of compound butters in all kinds of culinary cultures, from French to Italian and everything in between. No one knows the true origins of cowboy butter. Some say it was invented in New York at a restaurant called Mr. Donahue’s, which offered Southern-style cuisine, while others say it became popular through food blogs around 2010. What we do know is that we love its mix of savory, spicy, and earthy flavors.
How do I store leftovers?
Cover your leftover cowboy butter and keep it in the fridge for up to 2 weeks. I recommend keeping it in a regular butter dish so that it’s easier to store and serve. When you’re ready to get it out again, serve it cold or at room temperature.
Serving suggestions
With a rich consistency like spreadable cheese, cowboy butter is a breeze to spread onto Air-Fryer Toast, Naan, Fried Cornbread, or Cheese Bread. But you can also work it into a Tomato Sandwich or melt it onto a bowl of Rice Cooker Brown Rice. You can use it how you would use regular butter, but with a boost of flavor unlike any other.
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter softened
- 4 teaspoons Dijon mustard
- 1 tablespoon fresh parsley chopped
- 1 tablespoon fresh chives chopped
- 1 3/4 teaspoons fresh thyme minced
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 1 teaspoon lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon lemon zest
- 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/8 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 pinch cayenne pepper
- 1 pinch crushed red pepper flakes
Instructions
- In a medium bowl, add the softened butter and Dijon mustard. Mix until smooth.
- Mix in the parsley, chives, thyme, garlic, lemon juice, lemon zest, smoked paprika, kosher salt, black pepper, cayenne pepper, and crushed red pepper flakes until evenly combined.
- For a classic compound butter, spoon the mixture onto a piece of plastic wrap, shape it into a log, twist the ends, and chill for at least 1 hour. Alternatively, serve right away as a dipping sauce or spread to add zest to grilled meats, bread, or vegetables.
Nutrition Info:
Nutrition information are estimates only and may vary based on the specific brands, ingredients, and portion sizes you use. This data is provided for informational purposes only.
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