Cowboy Butter Steak Sliders Recipe

Introduction

These Cowboy Butter Steak Sliders are a hearty and flavorful treat perfect for gatherings or a special weeknight meal. Tender ribeye steaks are grilled and topped with rich, tangy cowboy butter and caramelized onions, all nestled inside soft slider buns with melted Havarti cheese.

Ingredients

• 1 1/2 pounds boneless steak such as 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
• 3/4 pound sliced Havarti cheese
• 1 stick unsalted butter (at room temperature)
• 4 garlic cloves (minced)
• 1/2 lemon (zested and juiced)
• 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
• 1 teaspoon paprika
• 1/2 teaspoon cayenne
• 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
• 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes
• 1 tablespoon chives (minced)
• 2 tablespoons fresh parsley (minced)
• Kosher salt and pepper (to taste)

Instructions

1. Step 1: Prepare steaks by trimming excess fat and silver skin if needed. Rub with oil and season well on all sides with kosher salt and freshly cracked black pepper. For thicker steaks, season more heavily.
2. Step 2: Wrap steaks in plastic wrap and refrigerate for a few hours to allow seasoning to penetrate.
3. Step 3: Make the cowboy butter: In a saucepan over low heat, melt the butter while whisking continually. Add lemon juice and zest, garlic, Dijon mustard, paprika, cayenne, dried thyme, and red pepper flakes. Remove from heat and stir in chives and fresh parsley. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
4. Step 4: Spoon out a few tablespoons of the cowboy butter into a small bowl for basting steaks while grilling. Set aside the remaining butter for the slider buns.
5. Step 5: Preheat grill to medium-high heat with an indirect heat zone. Remove steaks from the fridge and let rest at room temperature for 30 minutes.
6. Step 6: Cook steaks over direct heat for 2-3 minutes per side, avoiding charring. If high flames flare up, move steaks to indirect heat until flames subside.
7. Step 7: Brush both sides of the steaks with cowboy butter as they cook. After 5-6 minutes of total cook time, transfer steaks to indirect heat until they reach your desired doneness.
8. Step 8: Remove steaks and let rest on a plate covered loosely with foil for 10 minutes before slicing.
9. Step 9: Caramelize onions: Place a cast iron skillet on the grill over direct heat. Add a few tablespoons of butter to the skillet. Once melted, add sliced onions and cook, stirring occasionally, until caramelized, about 15 minutes.
10. Step 10: Preheat your oven broiler and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
11. Step 11: Separate slider buns and brush the inside of each bun with remaining cowboy butter. Place Havarti cheese slices on both top and bottom buns, then add caramelized onions to the bottom buns.
12. Step 12: Add sliced steak strips to the bottom buns and broil for 1-2 minutes until the cheese starts to melt.
13. Step 13: Place the top buns over the steak, slice sliders as desired, and serve.

Tips & Variations

• For extra flavor, marinate the steaks overnight in the refrigerator before cooking.
• Substitute Havarti cheese with sharp cheddar or pepper jack for a different cheese profile.
• Use sweet or mild onions if you prefer less intense caramelized onion flavor.
• If you don’t have a grill, cook the steaks and caramelize the onions in a cast iron skillet indoors.

Storage

Store any leftover slider components separately in airtight containers in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat steak and onions gently in a skillet or microwave before assembling sliders to maintain texture and flavor. Assemble fresh buns just before serving to prevent sogginess.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use other cuts of steak for this recipe?

Yes, sirloin, filet mignon, or even flank steak can work well. Just adjust cooking times based on thickness and preferred doneness.

How do I know when the steak is cooked to the right temperature?

Use a meat thermometer for best results: 130°F for medium-rare, 140°F for medium, and 150°F for medium-well.

Cowboy Butter Steak Sliders Recipe

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★★★★★

4.8 from 130 reviews

Cowboy Butter Steak Sliders combine juicy, perfectly grilled ribeye steak with rich, flavorful cowboy butter and sweet caramelized onions, all nestled in soft slider buns topped with melted Havarti cheese. This delightful appetizer or meal brings together the essence of a backyard BBQ with the elegance of buttery, herbaceous topping and melty cheese, perfect for sharing.

• Author: Maya
• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 25 minutes
• Total Time: 40 minutes
• Yield: 9 sliders (4 servings) 1x
• Category: Appetizer
• Method: Grilling
• Cuisine: American

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Steak

• 1 1/2 pounds boneless steak such as ribeye, filet, or sirloin
• Neutral oil (as needed)
• Kosher salt (to taste)
• Freshly cracked black pepper (to taste)

Cowboy Butter

• 1 stick unsalted butter (at room temperature)
• 4 garlic cloves (minced)
• 1/2 lemon (zested and juiced)
• 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
• 1 teaspoon paprika
• 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
• 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
• 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes
• 1 tablespoon chives (minced)
• 2 tablespoons fresh parsley (minced)
• Kosher salt and pepper (to taste)

Caramelized Onions

• 3 sweet onions (thinly sliced)
• Butter (a few tablespoons for cooking onions)

Sliders

• 9 slider buns
• 3/4 pound sliced Havarti cheese

Instructions

1. Prepare Steaks: Trim excess fat and silver skin from the steaks if necessary. Rub them all over with neutral oil and season generously on all sides with kosher salt and freshly cracked black pepper. For thicker steaks, increase seasoning.
2. Season Steaks: Wrap the seasoned steaks tightly in plastic wrap and refrigerate for several hours to allow seasoning to penetrate deeply.
3. Make Cowboy Butter: In a saucepan over low heat, gently melt the butter while whisking continuously. Add lemon juice and zest, minced garlic, Dijon mustard, paprika, cayenne, dried thyme, and red pepper flakes. Remove from heat and stir in minced chives and fresh parsley. Season with kosher salt and pepper to taste.
4. Set Aside Butter Portions: Spoon a few tablespoons of the prepared cowboy butter into a small bowl for use during grilling, and keep the rest for brushing on slider buns later.
5. Preheat Grill: Heat your grill to medium-high and establish an indirect heat zone. Remove steaks from the refrigerator and let them come to room temperature for about 30 minutes.
6. Grill Steaks: Cook steaks directly over the heat for 2-3 minutes per side, avoiding charring by moving steaks to indirect heat if flames flare up. Brush both sides with cowboy butter as they cook. After 5-6 minutes total, transfer to the indirect heat area and continue cooking until desired doneness is reached.
7. Rest Steaks: Remove steaks from the grill and tent loosely with foil. Let them rest for 10 minutes to allow juices to redistribute before slicing.
8. Caramelize Onions: Place a cast iron skillet on the grill over direct heat and melt a few tablespoons of butter in it. Add the thinly sliced onions and cook, stirring occasionally, until they are golden brown and caramelized, approximately 15 minutes.
9. Prepare Slider Buns: Preheat the oven to broil and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Separate slider buns and brush the insides generously with the remaining cowboy butter. Layer Havarti cheese onto both top and bottom buns, then add caramelized onions on the bottom buns.
10. Assemble Sliders: Place several slices of the rested steak onto the onion-topped bottom buns. Arrange sliders on the baking sheet and broil for 1-2 minutes or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
11. Serve: Top the steak with the prepared cheese and onion buns, slice if desired, and enjoy your flavorful Cowboy Butter Steak Sliders!

Notes

• For best flavor, use ribeye or sirloin steaks with good marbling.
• Adjust cayenne and red pepper flakes in the cowboy butter according to your preferred spice level.
• Allowing the steak to rest after grilling ensures juicy, tender slices.
• Cowboy butter can be made ahead and stored refrigerated for up to 3 days.
• If you don’t have a grill, steaks can be cooked in a cast iron skillet over medium-high heat.
• Use fresh herbs for the most vibrant flavor in the butter.
• Slider buns can be substituted with mini brioche buns for a richer taste.

Keywords: steak sliders, cowboy butter, caramelized onions, grilled steak, appetizer, slider buns, Havarti cheese