Cowboy Butter Steak Sliders are the ultimate handheld delight, combining tender steak, melty cheese, and caramelized onions all smothered in a zesty-herby cowboy butter. This recipe brings rich flavors like lemon, garlic, fresh herbs, and a kick of heat to create an unforgettable slider experience. Perfect for grilling or indoor cooking, these sliders are sure to be a hit at any gathering.

Full Recipe:

Ingredients

For the Sliders:

• 1 ½ pounds boneless steak (ribeye, filet, 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

• ½ teaspoon dried thyme

• 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes

• 1 tablespoon chives (minced)

• 2 tablespoons fresh parsley (minced)

• Kosher salt and pepper (to taste)

Directions

1. Prepare the Steak: Trim excess fat and silver skin from the steak. Rub with oil and season well with salt and pepper. Wrap in plastic wrap and refrigerate for a few hours.

2. Make Cowboy Butter: In a saucepan over low heat, melt butter while whisking. Add lemon juice and zest, garlic, Dijon, paprika, cayenne, thyme, and red pepper flakes. Remove from heat and stir in chives and parsley. Salt and pepper to taste. Set aside some butter for the steak and reserve the rest for the buns.

3. Cook the Steaks: Preheat the grill to medium-high with an indirect heat zone. Bring steaks to room temperature, then cook for about 2-3 minutes per side over direct heat. Move to indirect heat for about 5-6 minutes until desired doneness. Brush with cowboy butter as you cook. Rest the steaks for 10 minutes before slicing.

4. Caramelize Onions: In a cast-iron skillet, add butter and cook sliced onions over direct heat for about 15 minutes, stirring occasionally until caramelized.

5. Assemble Sliders: Preheat the oven to broil. Separate slider buns and brush the insides with cowboy butter. Add Havarti cheese to both top and bottom buns. Add caramelized onions to the bottom buns, then top with sliced steak. Broil for 1-2 minutes until cheese melts. Place top buns on the sliders and serve.

Nutrients (Per Serving)

• Calories: 733 kcal

• Protein: 64g

• Carbohydrates: 8g

• Fat: 44g

  • Saturated Fat: 7g

• Cholesterol: 211mg

• Sodium: 707mg

• Total Sugars: 3g

What Makes Cowboy Butter Steak Sliders Special?

The magic of Cowboy Butter Steak Sliders lies in the harmony of flavors and textures. The steak provides a rich, savory base that pairs perfectly with the creamy, melted cheese and the sweetness of the caramelized onions. What really sets these sliders apart, though, is the cowboy butter—a flavorful compound butter made from a blend of garlic, lemon, mustard, and spices. This buttery concoction not only enhances the steak but also transforms the buns, adding an irresistible zest to every bite.

The combination of tender steak, melty cheese, and zesty cowboy butter is what truly makes these sliders stand out. They’re an ideal way to enjoy a steakhouse-quality meal in a smaller, more casual slider format. The tangy, herb-infused butter gives the entire dish a lively, fresh flavor, while the slight heat from cayenne pepper and red pepper flakes adds a touch of warmth that keeps the flavors exciting.

Choosing the Perfect Steak

The first step in making these sliders is selecting the right cut of steak. Boneless steak cuts like ribeye, filet, or sirloin are ideal for this recipe because they offer the perfect balance of tenderness and flavor. Ribeye steak, in particular, is known for its marbling, which ensures a juicy, flavorful bite, but if you prefer leaner cuts, filet or sirloin will work beautifully as well.

It’s important to trim excess fat and silver skin from the steak to ensure a clean, smooth cook. Once the steak is prepped, seasoning it generously with kosher salt and freshly cracked black pepper will bring out the natural beefy flavor, making each bite even more satisfying. Letting the steak rest in the refrigerator for a few hours after seasoning allows the flavors to soak in, resulting in an even more flavorful steak once cooked.

The Key to Flavor: Cowboy Butter

The star of this dish is undoubtedly the cowboy butter. This compound butter adds layers of flavor and richness that elevate the entire slider. Made by combining softened butter with garlic, lemon juice and zest, Dijon mustard, and a variety of spices, the cowboy butter packs a punch. It’s the perfect complement to the rich steak and brings balance to the sweetness of the caramelized onions.

To make the cowboy butter, melt butter over low heat in a saucepan and whisk in the garlic, Dijon mustard, lemon juice, paprika, cayenne, thyme, and red pepper flakes. This mixture infuses the butter with a delightful balance of tangy, spicy, and herbal notes. After removing it from the heat, stir in fresh chives and parsley for an extra pop of color and flavor. The cowboy butter can be used in multiple ways—on the steak while grilling, on the buns for added flavor, and even brushed on the caramelized onions.

Grilling the Steak: Achieving Perfect Doneness

Once the steak is seasoned and the cowboy butter is prepared, it’s time to cook the meat. Grilling the steak ensures that you get a nice char on the outside while keeping the inside juicy and tender. Preheat the grill to medium-high heat, with an indirect heat zone for finishing the steak.

Before cooking, bring the steak to room temperature, which helps it cook more evenly. Grill the steak for about 2-3 minutes per side over direct heat to achieve a beautiful sear, then move the steak to the indirect heat zone for another 5-6 minutes to reach the desired doneness (usually medium-rare to medium). During grilling, brush the steak with cowboy butter to infuse additional flavor.

Once the steak is cooked to perfection, rest it for 10 minutes to allow the juices to redistribute. After resting, slice the steak into thin strips, making it perfect for layering in the slider buns.

Caramelizing the Onions: Sweet and Savory Goodness

While the steak is grilling, prepare the caramelized onions in a cast-iron skillet. Caramelizing onions slowly over low heat helps to develop their natural sweetness and creates a deep, rich flavor. Add butter to the skillet and cook the onions for about 15 minutes, stirring occasionally until they become golden brown and soft.

The caramelized onions will add a lovely sweetness and depth to the sliders, balancing out the richness of the beef and the cowboy butter. Their silky texture and sweet flavor are a perfect complement to the savory, herb-infused steak.

Assembling the Sliders: Perfecting the Final Touch

Once all the components are ready, it’s time to assemble your sliders. Preheat the oven to broil and slice the slider buns in half. Brush the inside of each bun with the remaining cowboy butter and add a slice of Havarti cheese to both the top and bottom buns. The Havarti cheese is mild, creamy, and perfect for melting, providing a delicious contrast to the steak and the zesty cowboy butter.

Layer the caramelized onions on the bottom bun, followed by the sliced steak. Place the top buns on and pop the sliders under the broiler for 1-2 minutes, just until the cheese melts and the buns turn golden and crispy.

Serving Cowboy Butter Steak Sliders

Serve your sliders with a side of crispy fries, onion rings, or a fresh green salad. The sliders are perfect for parties, game nights, or any occasion that calls for a handheld, flavorful meal. The juicy steak, melty cheese, and tangy cowboy butter make these sliders the ultimate indulgence, and the sweet onions add a delightful contrast that ties everything together.

Why These Sliders Are a Must-Try

Cowboy Butter Steak Sliders are the ultimate combination of savory, creamy, and tangy flavors, making them the perfect dish for any gathering. With tender, juicy steak, sweet caramelized onions, and a rich, herby butter that brings everything together, these sliders are guaranteed to impress your guests. Whether you’re grilling outside or cooking indoors, these sliders are easy to prepare and packed with bold, unforgettable flavors. They’re the perfect handheld delight for casual gatherings or celebratory meals, and once you try them, you’ll find it hard to stop at just one.

Conclusion: Flavor in Every Bite

There’s no better way to enjoy steak than in a slider, and Cowboy Butter Steak Sliders are the ideal way to bring all the best flavors together in a fun, bite-sized package. The combination of juicy steak, melty Havarti cheese, caramelized onions, and rich cowboy butter ensures that each bite is packed with flavor. Whether you’re entertaining guests or just craving a tasty meal, these sliders will become your go-to for any occasion. Enjoy!