The Pioneer Woman's Cowboy Butter That Transforms Steak

Cooking steak in a blend of oil and butter is a delicious science experiment. Together, these ingredients form the perfect caramelized crust while keeping the inside tender and juicy. Though I’m all about butter for cooking steak, I’ve always been skeptical about topping it with butter. Butter on butter seemed excessive, until I tasted Ree Drummond’s cowboy butter.

Ree Drummond lives on a ranch in Oklahoma, where she’s often cooking hearty meals for 'the boys' after a long day of hard ranch work. Her Rib Eye Steaks with Cowboy Butter are likely one of those perfect, no-fuss meals designed for a satisfying dinner after a tough day.

Her cowboy butter recipe—a zesty compound butter to pair with steak—is simple to make. Just mix butter with seasonings, roll it up in plastic wrap, and chill until firm. This step is done ahead of time so when it’s time to cook the steaks, the butter is ready to slice.

How to Make The Pioneer Woman’s Cowboy Butter

When I was ready to make the recipe, I followed the instructions and took the butter out of the fridge to soften. After about an hour, it was perfect. I added it to my stand mixer and whipped it to a light, airy texture. Then, I minced some flat-leaf parsley and garlic, adding them to the butter along with black pepper, crushed red pepper, lemon zest, and lemon juice. Using a small spatula, I transferred the mixture to plastic wrap and shaped it into a log. I wrapped it up and popped it into the fridge, eagerly anticipating the steak I’d pair it with.

My Honest Opinion on Cowboy Butter

The steak was, of course, delicious, and despite my initial hesitation about the cowboy butter, I found it hard to resist. It took the steak to a new level, adding an elegant touch (no wonder cowboy butter had its viral moment!). The burst of lemon brightened the dish, creating a perfect balance with the creamy butter and juicy steak. I even enjoyed dipping my toasted baguette into the buttery sauce left on my plate. All in all, I really liked Drummond's cowboy butter. However, if you’ve got a great cut of beef, you may not need it. But if I want to impress guests or make a delicious, buttery spread, this recipe is definitely on my list!