Introduction
If you love buttery, garlicky, perfectly seared steak and crave bold, zesty flavors, then you NEED to make these Cowboy Butter Steak Sliders! 🤠🔥 These mini sandwiches are packed with juicy, tender steak slices, drenched in rich cowboy butter, and served on toasty slider buns—making them the ultimate game-day snack, BBQ favorite, or indulgent weeknight dinner.
What makes Cowboy Butter so special? It’s a spicy, herby, lemony garlic butter sauce that takes steak, chicken, seafood, and even veggies to a whole new level. And when you drizzle it over perfectly seared steak and pile it onto soft slider buns—it’s pure magic. ✨
Let’s dive into this easy, flavor-packed recipe that’s guaranteed to impress!
Ingredients
For the Steak:
- 1 ½ lbs ribeye or sirloin steak (thinly sliced)
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
For the Cowboy Butter Sauce:
- ½ cup unsalted butter, melted
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
- 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
- Juice of ½ lemon
- 1 teaspoon hot sauce (optional, for spice)
- ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1 tablespoon fresh parsley, chopped
- 1 teaspoon fresh thyme, chopped
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
For the Sliders:
- 12 slider buns (Hawaiian rolls work great!)
- 2 tablespoons butter, melted (for toasting buns)
- 4 slices provolone or Swiss cheese (cut into quarters)
- 1 cup caramelized onions (optional but amazing)
- ¼ cup crispy fried onions (for crunch)
Directions
Step 1: Prepare the Steak
- Season the steak: In a bowl, toss the thinly sliced steak with olive oil, salt, black pepper, garlic powder, and smoked paprika. Let it sit for 10 minutes to absorb the flavors.
- Sear the steak: Heat a cast-iron skillet or heavy pan over medium-high heat. Cook the steak in batches for 1-2 minutes per side until nicely browned but still tender. Remove from heat and set aside.
Step 2: Make the Cowboy Butter Sauce
- Melt the butter in a small saucepan over low heat.
- Stir in the minced garlic, Dijon mustard, Worcestershire sauce, lemon juice, hot sauce, red pepper flakes, smoked paprika, parsley, thyme, salt, and black pepper.
- Cook for 1-2 minutes, stirring frequently, until everything is well combined and fragrant. Remove from heat.
Step 3: Toast the Buns
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Slice the slider buns in half and place them on a baking sheet.
- Brush the cut sides with melted butter and toast in the oven for 5 minutes, or until golden brown.
Step 4: Assemble the Sliders
- Layer it up: Place a slice of cheese on the bottom half of each bun.
- Pile on the steak: Generously stack the juicy, seared steak on top.
- Drizzle with Cowboy Butter: Spoon warm cowboy butter sauce over the steak for extra flavor.
- Add toppings: If using, add caramelized onions for sweetness and crispy fried onions for crunch.
- Top with buns: Place the top buns on, and you’re ready to serve!
Servings and Timing
- Servings: 12 sliders
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
Variations of Cowboy Butter Steak Sliders
- Spicy Kick: Add extra jalapeños or a dash of cayenne pepper to the butter sauce.
- Cheesy Overload: Try pepper jack or blue cheese instead of provolone.
- Garlic Bread Sliders: Toast the buns with garlic butter for even more flavor.
- BBQ Twist: Add a spoonful of smoky BBQ sauce for a sweet-savory upgrade.
- Surf & Turf: Add grilled shrimp on top of the steak for an epic combo.
Storage and Reheating
How to Store Leftovers
- Refrigerate: Store any leftover sliders in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
- Freeze: Freeze the cooked steak separately for up to 2 months.
How to Reheat for Maximum Flavor
- Oven: Reheat sliders at 350°F (175°C) for 10 minutes to keep the buns crispy.
- Stovetop: Warm the steak in a skillet with a bit of butter for 2-3 minutes.
- Microwave: Heat for 30 seconds (but the bun might get soft).
10 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What is Cowboy Butter?
Cowboy Butter is a spicy, herby garlic butter sauce loaded with mustard, lemon, and seasonings—perfect for dipping, drizzling, or basting!
2. Can I use a different cut of steak?
Yes! Ribeye is best, but sirloin, flank steak, or even filet mignon work well.
3. What type of buns work best?
Soft Hawaiian rolls or brioche slider buns are perfect because they soak up the butter sauce.
4. Can I make these ahead of time?
Yes! Cook the steak and make the butter sauce ahead of time, then assemble and warm the sliders when ready to serve.
5. Can I grill the steak instead?
Absolutely! Grill for 2-3 minutes per side for a smoky, charred flavor.
6. What sides go well with these sliders?
Serve with sweet potato fries, coleslaw, grilled corn, or baked beans for the perfect meal.
7. Can I make these sliders spicy?
Yes! Add extra hot sauce, cayenne, or jalapeños to the butter sauce.
8. Can I use chicken instead of steak?
Yep! Grilled or crispy chicken makes a delicious variation.
9. How do I keep sliders warm for a party?
Keep them covered in foil in a low oven (200°F/95°C) until ready to serve.
10. Can I serve Cowboy Butter as a dip?
Yes! It’s amazing for dipping steak, shrimp, bread, or even veggies.
Conclusion
These Cowboy Butter Steak Sliders are juicy, buttery, and packed with bold flavors that will make you feel like you’re at a Texas-style cookout. Whether you’re serving them for game day, BBQs, or a fun family dinner, they’ll be a huge hit!
🔥 So grab your cast iron skillet, a juicy steak, and ALL the butter, and let’s make the best sliders ever! 🤠🍔✨
