Cowboy Butter Steak Toast Recipe

Cook Time: 25 minutes

Ingredients

This recipe was developed for 2 servings. Ingredient quantities scale automatically, but cooking times remain the same. Not all recipes scale perfectly.

Cowboy Butter

• 8 tablespoons (1 stick) unsalted butter, room temperature
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 teaspoon lemon zest
• 1 teaspoon Dijon-style mustard
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes
• 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
• 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
• 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
• 1 teaspoon fresh thyme leaves
• 1 tablespoon thinly sliced fresh chives
• 2 tablespoons chopped Italian parsley
• 2 teaspoons lemon juice

Steak Toast

• 2 thick slices French bread
• 1 (8 ounce) beef filet mignon steak
• Salt to taste
• 2 teaspoons avocado oil
• 1/3 cup beef bone broth

Directions

1. Preheat your oven to 400F (200C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone liner.
2. In a bowl, combine butter, garlic, lemon zest, Dijon mustard, salt, red pepper flakes, smoked paprika, black pepper, cayenne, thyme, chives, and parsley. Mash and mix until fully combined. Stir in lemon juice.
3. Spread a generous layer of the butter mixture on both sides of the bread slices. Place on the prepared baking sheet and bake for 10 minutes. Flip and bake for an additional 7-10 minutes, until golden and crisp at the edges. Set aside.
4. Transfer any remaining butter onto plastic wrap, form into a 2-inch cylinder, and refrigerate. Slice into medallions when ready to serve.
5. Slice the steak in half to create two 4-ounce portions. Season both sides with salt.
6. Heat a skillet over high heat and add avocado oil. Once shimmering, sear steaks 2 minutes per side, or to your preferred doneness. Remove steaks to a plate and let rest for 3-4 minutes.
7. Deglaze the skillet with beef bone broth, scraping up browned bits. Reduce liquid to approximately 2 tablespoons over medium-high heat if needed.
8. Place each steak on a slice of toast, drizzle with pan juices, and top with a medallion of cowboy butter. Serve immediately and enjoy.

Nutrition Facts (per serving)

• Calories: 1020
• Fat: 72g (93% DV)
• Saturated Fat: 37g (186% DV)
• Cholesterol: 232mg (77% DV)
• Sodium: 1586mg (69% DV)
• Carbohydrates: 51g (19% DV)
• Dietary Fiber: 3g (11% DV)
• Sugars: 5g
• Protein: 43g (85% DV)
• Vitamin C: 11mg (12% DV)
• Calcium: 111mg (9% DV)
• Iron: 6mg (34% DV)
• Potassium: 590mg (13% DV)

*Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Nutrient information may vary depending on ingredient specifics.

The Story Behind Cowboy Butter Steak Toast

The origins of Cowboy Butter Steak Toast are rooted in the hearty, rustic traditions of the American West. Inspired by cowboy cuisine, this dish combines rich, flavorful butter with tender steak and toasted bread, creating a meal that is both simple and indulgent. Cowboys needed meals that were quick to prepare, portable, and satisfying after long days on the range. Over time, chefs refined these rustic flavors into the more elaborate and visually appealing dish we enjoy today, incorporating compound butter and fresh herbs to elevate the classic steak on toast concept.

Regional Variations

While the dish is widely associated with American cuisine, different regions in the United States have adapted it to local tastes. In Texas, for example, the steak is often paired with smoky barbecue spices, while in the Midwest, richer butters with a hint of garlic and fresh parsley dominate the flavor profile. Coastal regions may incorporate lemon zest and fresh herbs like chives or thyme to give the dish a brighter, lighter finish. Despite these variations, the essence of Cowboy Butter Steak Toasta perfectly seared steak atop buttery, toasted breadremains consistent.

What Sets It Apart From Similar Dishes

Unlike a traditional steak sandwich or an open-faced steak sandwich, Cowboy Butter Steak Toast emphasizes the compound butter, which infuses the bread and meat with layers of flavor. The toast itself is not just a base; it is generously coated with a blend of garlic, spices, and herbs, baked to crisp perfection. This differentiates it from dishes where bread serves merely as a vehicle for protein. The combination of pan-seared steak, drizzled pan juices, and medallions of flavored butter makes it uniquely indulgent.

Where Its Usually Served

This dish is popular in casual dining restaurants specializing in steak or American comfort food, as well as at home for brunch or a special dinner. It is often featured at steak houses or gastro pubs where elevated comfort foods are celebrated. Cowboy Butter Steak Toast can also appear at backyard gatherings or informal dinner parties, particularly when hosts want to impress guests with minimal yet striking presentation.

Interesting Facts

Despite its simplicity, the dish demonstrates classic culinary techniques, such as making a compound butter and deglazing a pan to create a rich sauce. The cowboy butter itself can be customized endlessly with spices, herbs, and citrus, making each version slightly different. The dishs caloric richness reflects its origin as a meal designed to fuel labor-intensive days, and it remains a favorite for anyone craving a decadent yet approachable steak experience. Interestingly, while the recipe appears modern, it draws directly from frontier-era meals where butter, bread, and steak were staples, showing how traditional ingredients can evolve into gourmet interpretations.

FAQ about Cowboy Butter Steak Toast Recipe