Cowboy Butter Steak Sliders are a savory, tender, and juicy treat, combining premium steak cuts like tenderloin with a rich, herby cowboy butter spread on soft slider buns. Topped with creamy Havarti cheese and caramelized onions, these sliders are the perfect balance of flavors. Whether you cook them on the grill or in a cast-iron skillet, these sliders are sure to impress at your next BBQ or family gathering.

Full Recipe:

Ingredients

For the Sliders:

• 1 ½ pounds boneless steak (ribeye, filet, or sirloin)

• Neutral oil, as needed

• Kosher salt, to taste

• Freshly cracked black pepper, to taste

• 3 sweet onions, thinly sliced

• 9 slider buns

• ¾ pound sliced Havarti cheese

For the Cowboy Butter:

• 1 stick unsalted butter, at room temperature

• 4 garlic cloves, minced

• ½ lemon, zested and juiced

• 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard

• 1 teaspoon paprika

• ½ teaspoon cayenne pepper

• ½ teaspoon dried thyme

• 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes

• 1 tablespoon minced chives

• 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, minced

• Kosher salt and pepper, to taste

Directions

1. Prepare the Steaks:

   • Trim any excess fat and silver skin from the steaks. Rub with oil and season generously with salt and pepper. Let them rest at room temperature for 30 minutes for better seasoning absorption.

2. Make the Cowboy Butter:

   • In a saucepan over low heat, melt the butter while whisking continually. Add lemon juice, zest, garlic, Dijon mustard, paprika, cayenne, thyme, and red pepper flakes. Remove from heat, then stir in chives and parsley. Taste and adjust salt and pepper as needed. Set aside some of the butter to brush on the steaks.

3. Grill the Steaks:

   • Preheat your grill to medium-high heat. Grill the steaks for 2-3 minutes per side over direct heat, then move them to indirect heat to finish cooking to your desired doneness. Brush both sides of the steaks with cowboy butter while grilling. After cooking, allow the steaks to rest for 10 minutes before slicing.

4. Caramelize the Onions:

   • In a cast-iron skillet on the grill, melt butter and add the thinly sliced onions. Cook for 15 minutes, stirring occasionally until they are caramelized.

5. Assemble the Sliders:

   • Preheat your oven’s broiler. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Brush the inside of each slider bun with cowboy butter and add Havarti cheese on both the top and bottom buns. Add caramelized onions to the bottom buns and a few strips of sliced steak. Broil the sliders for 1-2 minutes until the cheese starts to melt.

6. Serve:

   • Remove the sliders from the oven, place the top bun over the steak, slice, and serve!

Nutrients

• Calories: 450 per serving

• Carbohydrates: 32g

• Protein: 28g

• Fat: 28g

• Saturated Fat: 12g

• Cholesterol: 80mg

• Sodium: 800mg

• Fiber: 2g

• Sugar: 6g

A Flavor Explosion: The Magic of Cowboy Butter

The star of these sliders lies in the cowboy butter—a rich, zesty, and herby spread that elevates the entire dish. Made with butter, garlic, lemon, Dijon mustard, paprika, and cayenne pepper, this cowboy butter packs a punch of flavor. The lemon zest and juice add brightness and acidity, which balances the richness of the butter. The garlic and Dijon mustard contribute depth, while the paprika and cayenne provide a subtle heat that perfectly complements the savory steak.

The red pepper flakes and herbs like thyme, parsley, and chives bring even more complexity and freshness to the butter. The result is a flavorful spread that can be brushed onto the steaks during grilling, as well as used to toast the buns, ensuring that every bite of the slider bursts with layers of flavor.

Choosing the Perfect Steak Cut

The choice of steak is crucial for achieving the right texture and flavor in your Cowboy Butter Steak Sliders. Ribeye, filet, and sirloin are all excellent options, with each offering a slightly different experience.

• Ribeye is marbled with fat, making it juicy and full of flavor. This cut offers a tender and succulent bite, ideal for grilling.

• Filet mignon is leaner and more delicate, providing a buttery texture that pairs well with the rich cowboy butter.

• Sirloin is a more affordable option that still offers great flavor, although it’s slightly firmer compared to the ribeye or filet.

Regardless of the steak cut you choose, the key is to season it generously with salt and pepper, letting it rest at room temperature before cooking to ensure even seasoning and better texture.

Perfectly Caramelized Onions: The Sweet Addition

Caramelized onions are another essential element in these sliders. When cooked slowly, onions transform from sharp and pungent to sweet and rich, adding depth to the savory steak and enhancing the overall flavor profile.

Cooking the onions in a cast-iron skillet on the grill helps to give them an extra smoky flavor, which complements the grilled steaks beautifully. As the onions cook, the natural sugars in the onions caramelize, creating a golden-brown color and a rich sweetness that contrasts perfectly with the savory steak and creamy Havarti cheese. This balance of sweet and savory elevates the sliders to new heights, ensuring every bite is full of flavor.

Grilling the Steaks to Perfection

Grilling the steaks is the best method for achieving that smoky, charred flavor that pairs so well with the cowboy butter. Preheat your grill to medium-high heat to ensure that the steaks sear nicely on the outside while staying tender and juicy on the inside.

Start by grilling the steaks over direct heat for 2-3 minutes per side, allowing them to develop a beautiful sear. After that, move the steaks to indirect heat to finish cooking them to your desired doneness. Basting the steaks with cowboy butter as they cook helps to infuse them with even more flavor while keeping them moist and juicy.

Once the steaks are done, let them rest for at least 10 minutes before slicing. Resting allows the juices to redistribute within the meat, ensuring that each bite remains tender and flavorful.

Assembling the Sliders

The assembly of these sliders is where all the components come together. The key is to use soft, fresh slider buns that will hold up to the juicy steak and all the toppings without falling apart. Brush the inside of the buns with the leftover cowboy butter and top them with slices of Havarti cheese. Havarti’s creamy, mild flavor is the perfect complement to the rich steak and tangy cowboy butter.

Next, add a generous portion of the caramelized onions on the bottom buns, followed by a few strips of the sliced steak. Once everything is assembled, place the sliders under the broiler for just 1-2 minutes to melt the cheese and toast the buns. The result is a warm, gooey, and slightly crispy slider that’s sure to be a hit.

Tips for the Perfect Cowboy Butter Steak Sliders

• Rest the Steak: Allow the steak to rest for at least 10 minutes after grilling. This step is essential for keeping the meat juicy and tender.

• Customize the Cheese: While Havarti is a great choice, you can also experiment with other cheeses like Swiss, provolone, or cheddar to suit your taste.

• Add More Toppings: For extra flavor, you can add a few slices of pickles, arugula, or even some crispy bacon to the sliders.

• Use Fresh Buns: Opt for soft, fresh slider buns that won’t overpower the flavors of the steak and toppings. Brioche or potato buns work particularly well for their soft texture and slight sweetness.

Why These Sliders Are Perfect for Any Occasion

Cowboy Butter Steak Sliders are an ideal choice for any event, whether it’s a casual family dinner, a summer BBQ, or a more formal gathering. The rich flavors of the steak, the creamy butter, and the sweet caramelized onions make these sliders irresistible, and their portability makes them perfect for serving at parties or picnics.

These sliders are also highly customizable, allowing you to adapt them to your guests’ preferences. Whether you prefer a more mild cheese or a spicier kick with additional toppings, you can easily tweak the recipe to suit your tastes.

Nutritional Information

Each Cowboy Butter Steak Slider contains about 450 calories, 32g of carbohydrates, and 28g of fat, including 12g of saturated fat. While they are indulgent, they provide a decent amount of protein (28g) to keep you satisfied. As with all delicious treats, enjoy these sliders in moderation as part of a balanced meal.

Conclusion: A Flavorful Slider Worth Savoring

In conclusion, Cowboy Butter Steak Sliders are the perfect blend of rich, savory steak, creamy cheese, sweet onions, and a zesty cowboy butter spread. Whether grilled or cooked in a skillet, these sliders offer a mouthwatering combination of textures and flavors that will leave your guests asking for seconds. With their tender, juicy steak and the added depth of the cowboy butter, these sliders are a surefire way to impress at your next gathering or BBQ. So fire up the grill and enjoy these flavorful sliders, and be prepared to savor every bite!