You know those recipes that start by accident and become legendary? These Cowboy Butter Steak Sliders did exactly that. I first whipped them up for a last-minute Super Bowl party when my usual plans fell through. Now, three seasons later, my friends won’t let me through the door without them. The secret? A ridiculous garlic-herb butter that transforms simple steak into something truly magical.
The Good Stuff
The Famous Cowboy Butter:
- 2 sticks salted butter, truly room temp
- 4 fat cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped fine
- 1 tablespoon fresh thyme leaves
- 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes (or more if you’re brave)
- 1 teaspoon fresh cracked black pepper
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- Pinch of kosher salt
The Sliders:
- 2 pounds flank steak (skirt steak works too)
- 12 Hawaiian rolls (the squishy sweet ones)
- 6 slices provolone or Swiss cheese
- 2 large onions, caramelized (trust me on this)
- Flaky sea salt for finishing
Game Plan
- The Butter Magic (15 mins)
- Get butter completely soft
- Mix with all seasonings until smooth
- Taste and adjust heat level
- Set half aside for rolls
- Steak Prep (4-8 hours ahead)
- Pat steak dry
- Rub generously with butter mixture
- Wrap and refrigerate
- Pull out 1 hour before cooking
- The Cook (30 mins)
- Heat grill screaming hot
- Grill 5-7 mins each side for medium-rare
- Let rest 10 mins (non-negotiable!)
- Slice thin against the grain
- Assembly Time
- Split those rolls
- Brush with reserved butter
- Toast until golden
- Layer: bottom bun, steak, cheese, onions, top bun
- Brush tops with last bit of butter
- Finish with flaky salt
Questions People Always Ask
“Can I use regular butter?” Sure, just add extra salt.
“Steak too rare/well?” 135°F medium-rare, 145°F medium. Use a meat thermometer!
“Make ahead for a party?” Butter: 3 days ahead. Steak: cook just before serving.
Hard-Earned Tips
- Room temp meat = even cooking
- Sharpen that knife before slicing
- More butter = better sliders
- Let them rest or lose all the juices
- Double the recipe. Seriously.
How to Serve ‘Em
Perfect Pairings:
- Crispy waffle fries
- Tangy coleslaw
- Cold beer (lots of it)
- Pickle spears
- Extra cowboy butter for dipping
Party Setup:
- Serve open-faced
- Keep butter warm
- Set up DIY station
- Provide napkins (they’re messy!)
One Last Thing…
Here’s what makes these sliders special – they’re fancy enough for a dinner party but perfect for eating with one hand while holding your beer in the other. The cowboy butter does double duty: it tenderizes the meat and creates this amazing crust on the grill.
Fair warning: once you’re known for these, you’ll never be allowed to bring anything else to a party again. But hey, there are worse problems to have, right?
P.S. Save any leftover cowboy butter – it’s amazing on pretty much everything from corn to baked potatoes to regular toast!