A compound steak butter made with garlic, parsley, rosemary, salt, and pepper makes any steak taste incredible. What’s great is that this butter isn’t just for steak; you can use it to boost the flavor of many other dishes. Plus, it’s easy to make with ingredients you probably already have in your kitchen.

What is Steak Butter, Exactly?

Steak butter is a compound butter made by blending various ingredients. As it melts on the hot surface of the steak, it infuses the meat with its rich flavors, becoming an essential part of the dish.

The Ingredients You’ll Need

The most important ingredient of this recipe is butter. Use good quality, high-fat butter—unsalted is best. Don’t use margarine as a substitute. As for the other ingredients, fresh is preferable for the most vibrant flavors, but if you only have dried ones, those will work, too. Don’t hesitate to use different herbs to find the combination you like the best.

Now, let’s get into what you’ll need for this tasty steak butter recipe:

½ pound (226 grams) unsalted butter (room temperature)
2 cloves of garlic (finely chopped or pressed)
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon pepper (freshly ground)
2 tablespoons parsley (finely chopped)
2 tablespoons rosemary (finely chopped)

The Tools You’ll Need

Bowl
Garlic press
Knife
Plastic wrap (alternatively Parchment or waxed paper)

parsley, butter, garlic, butter, and salt - all ingredients for steak butter on wooden cutting board — The ingredients for steak butter

How To Make Steak Butter

Making steak butter is a straightforward process that only takes a few minutes. Here’s how to make it:

Step 1: Prepare all ingredients

Take the butter out of the fridge and let it soften at room temperature. While you wait, crush the garlic with a garlic press, finely chop the rosemary and parsley, and prepare the pepper and salt for the next step in the recipe.

Step 2: Mix all ingredients

Combine the butter, salt, pepper, pressed garlic, chopped parsley, and rosemary in a bowl. Mix everything until it’s smooth.

*Ingredients for steak butter mixed in a bowl*

Step 3: Transfer the Butter onto a Plastic Wrap or Parchment

Place the butter on one side of the plastic wrap, as shown in the photo below. Then, spread it out evenly to form a log shape.

*Butter, shaped like a log on plastic foil*

Step 4: Roll the Steak Butter

Shape the butter into a log and wrap it in foil or parchment paper. Refrigerate for one to two hours.

*Butter shaped into a log, wrapped in plastic foil.*

Step 5: Place the Butter on the Steak or Store it in the Fridge

If you want to use the steak butter immediately, take it from the fridge 1-2 hours beforehand. Unwrap it from the parchment paper or foil, cut it into slices, and place them on your freshly cooked steak.

If you want to save the steak butter for later, just keep it in the refrigerator. When ready, remove it, cut it into discs, and place it on the steak. If you don’t plan to use the steak butter within a few days, consider freezing it.

steak butter with fresh parsley, rosemary, salt, and pepper — Ready-to-Use Steak Butter

Steak Butter Recipe

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Author: Adam Wojtow
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Rest Time: 1 hour
Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
Category: Sauce or Topping
Cuisine: American

Print Recipe

Description

Delicious Steak Butter: Fresh herbs, garlic, pepper, and salt – a quick and easy recipe.

Ingredients

½ pound (226 grams) unsalted butter (room temperature)
2 cloves of garlic (finely chopped or pressed)
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon pepper (freshly ground)
2 tablespoons parsley (finely chopped)
2 tablespoons rosemary (finely chopped)

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Instructions

Prepare Ingredients: Soften butter at room temperature. Crush garlic and finely chop rosemary and parsley. Prepare salt and pepper.
Mix Ingredients: Combine softened butter, crushed garlic, chopped rosemary, chopped parsley, salt, and pepper in a bowl. Mix until smooth.
Shape the Butter: Transfer the butter mixture onto plastic wrap or parchment paper. Spread it evenly along the line to form a log.
Roll the Steak Butter: Shape the butter into a log and wrap it in foil or parchment paper. Refrigerate for one to two hours.
Serve or Store: If using it immediately, slice the steak butter log into discs and place them on freshly cooked steak. To store, keep it in the refrigerator or freeze it for later use.

Steak Butter FAQs

What kind of butter for steak?

I recommend using high-quality unsalted butter for steak. It lets you better control the seasoning since salted butter can make the steak too salty. Go for butter with high-fat content and avoid margarine, as it’s not a good substitute for real butter.

Why do cooks put butter on steak?

Cooks put butter on steak for a few key reasons. First, it adds a rich, buttery flavor that makes the steak taste even better. It also helps create a beautiful golden brown crust, making the steak look more appetizing. Plus, as the butter melts, it adds extra juiciness to the meat, making it more delicious.

When to put compound butter on steak?

Put the compound butter on the steak right after cooking it. Let the steak rest for 5-7 minutes so the butter can melt and spread, adding extra flavor.

*Compound butter on a freshly cooked steak*

Is it possible to use this steak butter on other types of meat?

Of course, you can use steak butter for other meats. It works well with chicken, turkey, pork, or seafood.

How long is it safe to store steak butter in the fridge or freezer?

Steak butter can be kept in the fridge for about a week without losing flavor. If you want to store it longer, you can freeze it for up to six months.