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Cowboy Butter Steak Sliders Recipe

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★★★★★

4.6 from 86 reviews

These Cowboy Butter Steak Sliders are packed with juicy, perfectly grilled steak, topped with caramelized onions, melted Havarti cheese, and a flavorful homemade cowboy butter that adds a rich, zesty kick. Ideal for casual gatherings or game day, these sliders combine tender steak with buttery goodness in a soft slider bun for an irresistible handheld treat.

Ingredients

Scale

For the Sliders:

  • 1 1/2 pounds boneless steak such as ribeye, filet, or sirloin
  • Neutral oil such as avocado oil, as needed (for grilling and searing)
  • Kosher salt, to taste
  • Freshly cracked black pepper, to taste
  • 3 sweet onions, thinly sliced
  • 9 slider buns
  • 3/4 pound sliced Havarti cheese

For the Cowboy Butter:

  • 1 stick (8 tablespoons) 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 freshly ground black pepper, to taste

Instructions

  1. Prepare the Steaks: Trim any excess fat and silver skin from the steak. Rub the steaks all over with neutral oil such as avocado oil. Season generously with kosher salt and freshly cracked black pepper on all sides, especially if the steaks are thick to ensure optimal flavor penetration.
  2. Marinate Steaks: Wrap the seasoned steaks tightly in plastic wrap and refrigerate for a few hours to allow the seasoning to penetrate deeply and enhance flavor.
  3. Make the Cowboy Butter: In a saucepan over low heat, melt the butter slowly while whisking continuously. Add the lemon zest and juice, minced garlic, Dijon mustard, paprika, cayenne, dried thyme, and red pepper flakes. Stir well to combine all the flavors harmoniously.
  4. Finish the Cowboy Butter: Remove the saucepan from heat and stir in the minced chives and fresh parsley. Season with kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste. Spoon out a few tablespoons of this butter into a small bowl for brushing on the steaks during grilling. Reserve the remaining butter for brushing on the slider buns later.
  5. Preheat Grill: Set your grill to medium-high heat and create an indirect heat zone for finishing the steaks. Remove steaks from the refrigerator and allow them to rest at room temperature for 30 minutes before cooking to ensure even cooking.
  6. Grill the Steaks: Place the steaks over direct heat and cook for 2-3 minutes per side, taking care to avoid charring. If flames flare up, move the steaks to indirect heat until flames subside. During cooking, brush both sides of the steaks with cowboy butter to enhance flavor and moisture.
  7. Finish Cooking Indirectly: After approximately 5-6 minutes of total direct grilling, move the steaks to the indirect heat zone and continue cooking until they reach your desired internal temperature.
  8. Rest the Steaks: Remove the steaks from the grill and tent loosely with foil. Let them rest for 10 minutes to allow juices to redistribute, ensuring tender and juicy slices.
  9. Caramelize Onions: Place a cast iron skillet over direct grill heat. Add a few tablespoons of butter to the skillet; once melted, add the sliced onions. Cook the onions, stirring occasionally, for about 15 minutes until they are deeply caramelized and sweetened.
  10. Prepare Slider Buns: Preheat your oven to broil and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Separate the slider buns and brush the insides generously with the reserved cowboy butter.
  11. Assemble Sliders: Place sliced Havarti cheese on both the top and bottom buns. Add a generous layer of caramelized onions to the bottom buns. Slice the rested steak and add a few strips to each bottom slider bun. Place the prepared buns on the baking sheet and broil for 1-2 minutes or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
  12. Serve: Top the sliders with the top buns and serve immediately. Slice and enjoy your delicious cowboy butter steak sliders outdoors or at your next get-together!

Notes

  • Use avocado oil for grilling and caramelizing onions due to its high smoke point to prevent burning and smoke.
  • Letting the steaks rest before and after cooking is crucial to retain juices and maximize tenderness.
  • Caramelizing onions slowly enhances their natural sweetness, pairing beautifully with the savory steak and cowboy butter.
  • Broiling the assembled sliders melts the cheese quickly and evenly for perfect slider texture.
  • If you prefer, you can substitute Havarti with other semi-soft cheeses like Monterey Jack or smoked Gouda.

Keywords: steak sliders, cowboy butter, caramelized onions, grilled steak, slider buns, Havarti cheese, game day recipe, easy sandwiches

Find it online: https://busyrecipe.com/cowboy-butter-steak-sliders-recipe/