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With a rich, savory mix of softened butter, garlic, and fresh herbs, this easy steak butter adds bold, restaurant-worthy flavor to any meal. Let it melt over hot grilled meat for an instant rich, no-fuss sauce.

Flavor: Tangy lemon zest, smoked paprika, savory garlic, and earthy herbs create delicious layers to this steak butter.
Time Saving Tip: Forgot to soften the butter? Cut it into small cubes and microwave in short bursts until soft but not melted.
Serving Suggestions: Not just for steak, this herb butter is delish over pork chops, veggies, mashed potatoes, or on toasted baguette slices.
Storing: Fresh garlic gives the best taste but doesn’t keep long; just 1 week in the fridge or 2 in the freezer. Want it to last longer? Use jarred garlic or garlic powder instead.

garlic , paprika , thyme , salt , lemon zest and butter to make Steak Butter with labels

Easy Ingredients

Butter: Use unsalted butter so you can control the saltiness. Make sure it’s softened so everything blends smoothly. Real butter (not margarine!) gives the best flavor and richness.
Seasonings: Fresh garlic can be swapped out for jarred garlic or garlic powder, and don’t be shy about using ample amounts of salt for the best flavor. It’s hard to go wrong with steak butter, so feel free to experiment with a variety of spices!

Fresh herbs always deliver the best flavor because the flavors intensify as the butter ages. But if fresh herbs aren’t available, or you want to experiment with dried herbs from the pantry, find the equivalent amounts to substitute.

Restaurant-Worthy Variations

Use roasted garlic for a richer steak butter and added depth of flavor.
Use rosemary and chives if you’re planning to use the steak butter on pork or chicken.
Add a little homemade pesto to serve over pasta, or bits of sun-dried tomatoes, lemon juice, and basil or dill for broiled salmon filets.

adding seasonings to butter to make Steak Butter

How to Make Steak Butter

Bring butter to room temperature and blend it with the rest of the ingredients until fully combined and smooth (full recipe below).
Spread butter mixture on plastic wrap and roll into a small log.
Secure the ends and store in the refrigerator or freezer until ready to use.

For that steakhouse look, shape butter into a log and slice it into rounds. Or just store it in a container and scoop out what you need. Butter molds work too if you want something fancy!
For perfect slices, be sure to let it chill in the fridge or freezer before slicing and use a sharp knife.
Tightly wrap garlic butter logs in plastic and refrigerate for up to 1 week, or freeze for up to 2 weeks. Be sure the plastic is secure.
When freezing, double-layer it or transfer the log to a zippered bag so it doesn’t pick up other flavors/odors of the freezer or refrigerator.

Use Steak Butter On …

Did you enjoy this Steak Butter? Leave a comment and rating below.

image of Everyday Comfort cookbook by Holly Nilsson of Spend With Pennies plus text

5 from 16 votes↑ Click stars to rate now!
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Steak Butter

Savory butter with a blend of herbs, garlic, lemon, & smoked paprika is melted on top of steaks for a juicy, flavorful finish.

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Prep Time 5

Cook Time 5

Total Time 10

Servings 8 servings

Author Holly Nilsson

Equipment

Hand Mixer

Ingredients

▢ ½ cup butter 1 stick, softened
▢ 1 teaspoon chopped fresh parsley
▢ 1 teaspoon fresh thyme leaves or 2 teaspoons fresh parsley
▢ 1 clove garlic minced or ½ teaspoon garlic powder
▢ ½ teaspoon lemon zest
▢ ⅛ teaspoon smoked paprika
▢ salt and black pepper to taste

Instructions

Place butter, parsley, thyme, garlic, lemon zest, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper in a bowl and mix with a hand mixer until smooth.
Spread onto a piece of plastic wrap and roll into a small log, tying the ends of the wrap.
Keep in the refrigerator until it is hard.

Notes

Fresh garlic is a great addition but use garlic powder or roasted garlic for a more subtle flavor.

Use a hand mixer for best results, this adds air into the butter so it melts well!

Add a generous amount of salt to the butter, it flavors the steak nicely.

This butter can be made 1 week ahead of time and kept in the fridge or frozen in coins.

Use steak butter on meats or veggies of all kinds.

5 from 16 votes

Nutrition Information

Nutrition information provided is an estimate and will vary based on cooking methods and brands of ingredients used.

Course Sauce

Cuisine American

© SpendWithPennies.com. Content and photographs are copyright protected. Sharing of this recipe is both encouraged and appreciated. Copying and/or pasting full recipes to any social media is strictly prohibited. Please view my photo use policy here.

fresh and tasty Steak Butter with writing

close up of Steak Butter on steak with a title

juicy steak with Steak Butter and a title

Steak Butter sliced on a cutting board and on a cooked steak with a title

5 from 16 votes (15 ratings without comment)

Comments

Anonymous says:

June 29, 2024 at 12:50 pm

On our home raised steaks… delicious!

1. Holly Nilsson says:
  
  June 29, 2024 at 7:47 pm
  
  So glad you loved it!
  
Mark Kelly says:

March 31, 2023 at 7:59 am

Steak compound butter ingredient list is missing a complete quantity listing. 1/8 of what? Teaspoon or Tablespoon?
Thank you, anxious to make and stock extra in freezer.

1. Mark Kelly says:
  
  March 31, 2023 at 8:01 am
  
  For paprika, sorry, forgot to add that to initial comment.
  
  1. Spend With Pennies AO says:
    
    March 31, 2023 at 8:26 am
    
    Sorry for the confusion Mark, it’s an 1/8 of a teaspoon of paprika. Enjoy!