The Ultimate Cowboy Butter Seasoning Mix
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The Ultimate DIY Cowboy Butter Seasoning Mix (Viral Pinterest Recipe)
If you’ve spent any time on food social media lately, you’ve likely seen steak being smothered in a vibrant, herb-flecked, golden sauce known as Cowboy Butter. While the fresh sauce is incredible, having a Cowboy Butter Seasoning Mix ready in your pantry is the ultimate kitchen “cheat code.”
This DIY dry spice blend captures all the zesty, garlicky, and slightly spicy notes of the viral original but in a shelf-stable format. It’s perfect for those of us who love from-scratch cooking but need to save time on busy weeknights. Plus, making your own Homemade Steak Butter Seasoning is much more budget-friendly than buying pre-mixed boutique jars.
Why You Need a Cowboy Butter Seasoning Mix in Your Pantry
The beauty of a dry mix is versatility. The name suggests it’s just for butter. But, this blend is an incredible Dry Rub for Steak Butter. It also serves as a savory topping for roasted vegetables. By mixing your own, you skip the preservatives and anti-clumping agents found in store-bought versions. You also control the salt content. This is a significant advantage for those of us who prefer to salt our meat separately.
How to Make the Best DIY Cowboy Butter Spices
The secret to a great DIY Cowboy Butter Spices blend is the balance of “acid” and “heat.” In a dry mix, we achieve this in two ways. One way is by using lemon pepper. Another way is by adding a hint of citric acid or dry mustard. This provides that signature tang that cuts through the richness of the butter.
To get that authentic “Kinder’s” style texture, I recommend using granulated garlic rather than a fine powder. Granulated garlic has a coarser grind. It stands up better to high-heat searing. This is ideal if you decide to use it as a dry rub.
Ways to Use Your Cowboy Butter Seasoning Mix
Once you have a jar of this Cowboy Butter Seasoning Mix on your shelf, you’ll use it all the time. You’ll reach for it over and over again. Here are a few of my favorite ways to use it:
- The Classic Compound Butter: Stir 2 tablespoons into a stick of softened salted butter. Roll it in parchment paper and chill for a gourmet steak topping.
- The “Smashed” Potato Secret: Toss boiled baby potatoes in olive oil and a heavy sprinkle of this mix before air-frying.
- Zesty Roasted Corn: Instead of plain salt, roll your corn on the cob in butter and this spice blend.
- Garlic Bread Upgrade: Mix it with olive oil and brush it over a loaf of French bread before toasting.

Tips for Storing Your Homemade Steak Butter Seasoning
To keep your Homemade Steak Butter Seasoning fresh and potent, storage is key. Spices thrive in cool, dark environments. I love using small 4oz mason jars for my blends. They look beautiful on a farmhouse open shelf and the airtight seal keeps the dried herbs from losing their flavor.
If you notice the spices settling over time, just give the jar a good shake before using. This recipe uses dried chives and parsley. It will stay fresh for up to six months. In my house, it rarely lasts that long!
Step-by-Step Instructions for the Cowboy Butter Seasoning Mix
Creating this mix is as simple as “dump and shake.”
- Gather your ingredients: Make sure your dried herbs (parsley and chives) are bright green. This color indicates they are still fresh and flavorful.
- Layer the flavors: In a clean glass jar, add your garlic, onion, and smoked paprika.
- Add the “Kick”: Follow with the red pepper flakes and lemon pepper.
- Seal and Shake: Tighten the lid and shake until the colors are uniform.
You might be prepping for a backyard BBQ. Or, you want to elevate a Tuesday night chicken dinner. This Cowboy Butter Seasoning Mix is the perfect solution. It’s functional, flavorful, and fits perfectly into a lifestyle focused on intentional, delicious home cooking.

Easy Cowboy Butter Seasoning Mix
Ingredients
- 2 tbsp Garlic Powder Granulated is best
- 1 tbsp Onion Powder
- 1 tbsp Smoked Paprika
- 1 tbsp Dried Parsley
- 1 tbsp Dried Chives
- 2 tsp Red Pepper Flakes Crushed
- 1 tsp Lemon Pepper Seasoning This adds the “tang”
- 1 tsp Dry Mustard Powder
- 1 tsp Kosher Salt Optional, or to taste
- 1/2 tsp Cayenne Pepper For a little kick
Instructions
- Combine: In a small mixing bowl or a 4oz mason jar, add all the dry spices.
- Mix: Stir or shake vigorously until the herbs and heavier spices are evenly distributed.
- Label: Mark the jar with the date.
- To Serve: To make the actual “Cowboy Butter” sauce, whisk 2 tablespoons of this dry mix into 1 stick (1/2 cup) of melted salted butter. Add a squeeze of fresh lemon juice if desired.
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