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Cowboy Butter Steak Sliders (Flavor-Packed & Perfect for Parties!)

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These Cowboy Butter Steak Sliders are an absolute flavor explosion! Tender, juicy grilled steak is sliced thin and piled onto slider buns with melty Havarti cheese, sweet caramelized onions, and a generous slathering of zesty, herbaceous Cowboy Butter. I love how this recipe takes simple steak sliders to a whole new level with that amazing butter sauce. They're perfect for game day, parties, casual gatherings, or even a fun weeknight dinner. Get ready for sliders that will disappear in minutes!

Why You'll Love These Cowboy Butter Steak Sliders

  • Incredible Flavor: The combination of perfectly grilled steak, sweet caramelized onions, melty Havarti, and the zesty Cowboy Butter is unbeatable.
  • Tender Steak: Starting with a good cut of steak and letting it rest ensures tender results.
  • Crowd-Pleaser: Sliders are always a hit, and these flavor-packed ones are guaranteed to impress.
  • Customizable: Adjust the seasonings in the Cowboy Butter or use different cheeses and toppings.
  • Perfect for Parties: Easy to assemble and serve to a crowd.
Ingredients for Cowboy Butter Steak Sliders, including steak, slider buns, cheese, onions, and Cowboy Butter ingredients.

Ingredients for Cowboy Butter Steak Sliders

Here's what you'll need to make these amazing sliders. The full list with measurements is in the recipe card below.

Sliders

  • Boneless steak (such as ribeye, filet, sirloin) (Meat)
  • Neutral oil (Oil)
  • Kosher salt (Seasoning)
  • Freshly cracked black pepper (Spice)
  • Sweet onions, thinly sliced (Vegetable)
  • Slider buns (Bread)
  • Sliced Havarti cheese (Dairy)

Cowboy Butter

  • Unsalted butter, at room temperature (Fat)
  • Garlic cloves, minced (Aromatic)
  • Lemon, zested and juiced (Fruit)
  • Dijon mustard (Condiment)
  • Paprika (Spice)
  • Cayenne (Spice)
  • Dried thyme (Herb)
  • Red pepper flakes (Spice)
  • Chives, minced (Herb)
  • Fresh parsley, minced (Herb)

(Note: the full ingredients list, including measurements, is provided in the recipe card below.)

Variations

I love these Cowboy Butter Steak Sliders as is, but here are a few ideas for variations:

  • Different Steak: Use flank steak or hanger steak for a different flavor profile (slice thinly against the grain!).
  • Different Cheese: Try provolone, Swiss, Gruyere, or even a sharp cheddar instead of Havarti.
  • Add Mushrooms: Sauté some mushrooms along with the onions.
  • Make it Spicy: Add more cayenne or red pepper flakes to the Cowboy Butter.
  • Different Buns: Use brioche slider buns or Hawaiian rolls.
Grilling the steak for Cowboy Butter Steak Sliders.

How to Make Cowboy Butter Steak Sliders

Let me show you how to make these flavor-packed Cowboy Butter Steak Sliders:

Prepare Steaks

  1. I prepare the steaks by trimming excess fat and silver skin if needed.
  2. I rub them with oil and season generously on all sides with kosher salt and freshly cracked black pepper. If the steaks are thicker, I make sure to season more heavily.
  3. I wrap the steaks in plastic wrap and place them in the fridge for a few hours for optimum seasoning penetration.

Make Cowboy Butter

  1. In a saucepan over low heat, I melt the butter and whisk continually.
  2. I add the lemon juice and zest, minced garlic, Dijon mustard, paprika, cayenne, dried thyme, and red pepper flakes.
  3. I remove from the heat and add the minced chives and fresh parsley.
  4. I season with salt and pepper to taste.
  5. I spoon out a few tablespoons into a small bowl for use on the steaks as they grill. I set aside the remaining butter for the slider buns.

Cook Steak

  1. I preheat my grill to medium-high with an indirect heat zone.
  2. I remove the steaks from the fridge and allow them to rest at room temperature for 30 minutes.
  3. I cook the steaks over direct heat for about 2-3 minutes per side, being sure not to char them. If high flames appear, I move them to indirect heat until the flame subsides.
  4. I brush both sides with the reserved Cowboy Butter as they cook.
  5. After 5-6 minutes of total cook time, I move the steaks to indirect heat until my desired temperature is reached (use a meat thermometer!).
  6. I remove the steaks and allow them to rest on a plate with tented foil for 10 minutes before slicing thinly against the grain.

Caramelize Onions

  1. I place a cast iron skillet on the grill over direct heat.
  2. I add a few tablespoons of butter into the skillet.
  3. Once it melts, I add the sliced onions.
  4. I allow onions to cook until caramelized.

Prepare & Assemble Sliders

  1. I pre-heat my oven to broil.
  2. I line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
  3. I separate the sliders and brush the inside of the slider buns with all the remaining Cowboy Butter.
  4. I add the Havarti cheese to the top and bottom buns.
  5. Then I add the grilled caramelized onions to the bottom buns.
  6. I place a few strips of sliced steak per bottom slider.
  7. I broil

Serve

  1. I place the top sliders over the steak, slice, and enjoy!

Tips and Tricks for the BEST Steak Sliders

Here are my secrets for making these sliders truly exceptional:

  • Season Steak Well: Seasoning the steak generously and letting it rest (or even dry brine) enhances the flavor.
  • Use a Meat Thermometer: The best way to ensure perfectly cooked steak is to use a meat thermometer.
  • Let the Steak Rest: Resting the steak after grilling allows the juices to redistribute, resulting in a more tender and flavorful steak.
  • Slice Against the Grain: Slicing the steak thinly against the grain is crucial for tenderness, especially with cuts like skirt or flank steak.
  • Don't Burn the Butter: Melt the Cowboy Butter over low heat to avoid burning the garlic and spices.

How to Serve

These Cowboy Butter Steak Sliders are perfect for:

  • Parties and Gatherings: A crowd-pleasing appetizer or main dish.
  • Game Day: The ultimate indulgent snack for watching the game.
  • Casual Dinners: A fun and flavorful weeknight meal.

Serve them warm!

A platter of Cowboy Butter Steak Sliders, ready to be served at a party.

Make Ahead and Storage

You can make the Cowboy Butter and caramelize the onions ahead of time and store them in the refrigerator. Grill the steak and assemble the sliders just before serving. Leftover sliders can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Reheat gently in the oven or microwave.

FAQs about Cowboy Butter Steak Sliders

  • What cut of steak is best?
    • Ribeye, filet mignon, or sirloin are great choices for tenderness. Flank or skirt steak work well too but must be sliced thinly against the grain.
  • Can I make these without a grill?
    • Yes, you can cook the steak in a cast iron skillet on the stovetop.
  • Can I use different cheese?
    • Yes

Enjoy these flavorful, juicy, and utterly delicious Cowboy Butter Steak Sliders! They're a guaranteed hit for any occasion.

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Ingredients for Cowboy Butter Steak Sliders, including steak, slider buns, cheese, onions, and Cowboy Butter ingredients.

Cowboy Butter Steak Sliders

  • Author: Caoimhe Byrne
  • Prep Time: 25 minutes
  • Resting Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 25 minutes
  • Total Time: 1 hour
  • Yield: 9 sliders 1x
  • Category: Main Course, Appetizer, Sandwich
  • Cuisine: American
Print Recipe

Description

These Cowboy Butter Steak Sliders are packed with flavor! Tender grilled steak is brushed with a zesty, herbaceous Cowboy Butter, layered with caramelized sweet onions and melted Havarti cheese, all served on soft slider buns.

Ingredients

Scale

For the Cowboy Butter:

  • 1 stick (½ cup, 113g) unsalted butter, room temperature
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • Zest and Juice of ½ lemon
  • 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
  • 1 teaspoon paprika
  • ½ teaspoon cayenne pepper (adjust to taste)
  • ½ teaspoon dried thyme
  • 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes (adjust to taste)
  • 1 tablespoon fresh chives, minced
  • 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, minced
  • Kosher salt, to taste
  • Freshly cracked black pepper, to taste

For the Steak & Onions:

  • 1 ½ pounds boneless steak (such as ribeye, filet mignon, or sirloin), trimmed
  • Neutral oil (like canola or vegetable oil), as needed for rubbing steak
  • Kosher salt, to taste
  • Freshly cracked black pepper, to taste
  • 3 sweet onions (like Vidalia), thinly sliced
  • 2-3 tablespoons unsalted butter (for onions)

For Slider Assembly:

  • 9 slider buns, split
  • ¾ pound (about 12 slices) Havarti cheese

Instructions

  • Prepare Steaks: Trim any excess fat or silver skin from the steaks. Rub the steaks lightly with neutral oil. Season generously on all sides with kosher salt and freshly cracked black pepper. If the steaks are thick, season more heavily. (Optional: For deeper seasoning, wrap the seasoned steaks in plastic wrap and refrigerate for a few hours before cooking).

  • Make Cowboy Butter:

    • In a small saucepan over low heat, melt the 1 stick of room temperature butter. Whisk continually.
    • Add the lemon juice, lemon zest, minced garlic, Dijon mustard, paprika, cayenne pepper, dried thyme, and red pepper flakes. Whisk to combine.
    • Remove the saucepan from the heat. Stir in the minced chives and minced parsley. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
    • Spoon out a few tablespoons of the Cowboy Butter into a small bowl for brushing the steaks while grilling. Set aside the remaining butter for the slider buns.

  • Cook Steak:

    • Preheat your grill to medium-high heat, setting up both direct and indirect heat zones.
    • Remove steaks from the refrigerator (if chilled) and let them rest at room temperature for 30 minutes before grilling.
    • Place the steaks over direct heat. Grill for about 2-3 minutes per side, developing a good sear. If flare-ups occur, move the steaks to the indirect heat zone until the flames subside.
    • Brush both sides of the steaks with the reserved Cowboy Butter as they cook.
    • After 5-6 minutes of total direct heat cooking, move the steaks to the indirect heat zone. Continue cooking until the steaks reach your desired internal temperature (use a meat thermometer).
    • Remove the steaks from the grill and transfer them to a cutting board. Tent loosely with foil and let them rest for 10 minutes before slicing.

  • Caramelize Onions:

    • While the steaks are resting, place a cast-iron skillet on the grill grates over direct heat (or use a skillet on the stovetop).
    • Add 2-3 tablespoons of butter to the skillet. Once melted, add the thinly sliced sweet onions.
    • Cook the onions, stirring occasionally, until they are deeply caramelized and sweet, about 15-20 minutes. Adjust heat as needed to prevent burning.

  • Prepare & Assemble Sliders:

    • Preheat your oven's broiler. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
    • Separate the tops and bottoms of the slider buns.
    • Brush the inside of both the top and bottom slider buns with the remaining Cowboy Butter.
    • Place the bottom buns on the prepared baking sheet. Layer the grilled caramelized onions evenly over the bottom buns. Top the onions with half of the Havarti cheese slices.
    • Place the top buns (butter-side up) on the baking sheet alongside the bottom buns. Top them with the remaining Havarti cheese slices.
    • Thinly slice the rested steak against the grain. Place a few strips of sliced steak on top of the onions and cheese on the bottom slider buns.
    • Place the baking sheet under the broiler for 1-2 minutes, or just until the cheese begins to melt and bubble. Watch carefully to prevent burning.
    • Remove the baking sheet from the oven. Carefully place the top slider buns (with melted cheese) over the steak on the bottom buns.
    • Slice between the buns to separate the sliders. Serve immediately.

Notes

  • Steak: Ribeye, filet mignon, or sirloin work well. Adjust grilling time based on steak thickness and desired doneness. Resting the steak is crucial for juiciness.
  • Cowboy Butter: This flavorful butter is the star! Adjust the cayenne and red pepper flakes to your heat preference.
  • Caramelizing Onions: Low and slow is key for truly sweet caramelized onions. Be patient!
  • Slider Buns: Use soft slider buns like Hawaiian rolls or potato rolls.
  • Cheese: Havarti melts beautifully, but Provolone, Swiss, or Monterey Jack are good substitutes.
  • Serving Suggestions: These sliders are great for parties, game days, or a fun dinner.
  • Storage: Leftovers are best stored unassembled. Store cooked steak and onions separately in the fridge.

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