Description
These Cowboy Butter Steak Sliders are juicy, flavorful mini sandwiches made with grilled flank or skirt steak topped with a zesty, herb-infused butter spread. Perfect for game day, parties, or cookouts, they combine tender steak, creamy cowboy butter, melty cheese, and optional fresh toppings on soft slider buns, delivering a delicious handheld meal with a smoky, vibrant kick.
Ingredients
Scale
For the Steak:
- 1 ½ pounds flank or skirt steak
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
For the Cowboy Butter:
- ½ cup unsalted butter (softened)
- 2 cloves garlic (minced)
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon lemon zest
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- ½ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
- 1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley
- 1 tablespoon chopped chives
- Salt and pepper to taste
For Assembly:
- 12 slider buns or Hawaiian rolls
- 6 slices provolone or cheddar cheese (halved)
- Arugula or lettuce (optional)
- Pickled onions or sliced jalapeños (optional)
Instructions
- Prepare and Grill the Steak: Preheat your grill or grill pan to medium-high heat. Rub the flank or skirt steak with olive oil, then season it evenly with garlic powder, smoked paprika, salt, and black pepper. Place the steak on the grill and cook for 3 to 4 minutes on each side for medium-rare, or adjust cooking time to your preferred doneness. Once cooked, transfer the steak to a cutting board and let it rest for 5 to 10 minutes to retain juices.
- Make the Cowboy Butter: While the steak rests, in a small bowl combine softened unsalted butter with minced garlic, Dijon mustard, fresh lemon juice and zest, paprika, crushed red pepper flakes, chopped fresh parsley, chopped chives, and a pinch of salt and pepper. Mix thoroughly until smooth and well blended.
- Slice the Steak and Prepare Buns: Thinly slice the rested steak against the grain to ensure tenderness. Slice the slider buns in half and toast lightly on the grill or pan if desired for extra texture and flavor.
- Assemble the Sliders: Spread a generous layer of the prepared cowboy butter on the bottom halves of the slider buns. Layer with sliced steak followed by halved cheese slices. Add optional toppings like fresh arugula, lettuce, pickled onions, or sliced jalapeños to elevate flavor and texture.
- Finish and Serve: Top each slider with the remaining bun halves and serve warm. These sliders make a perfect party appetizer or hearty main course for gatherings.
Notes
- Cowboy butter can be made ahead and stored in the refrigerator, making it a convenient and versatile sauce for steaks, vegetables, or seafood.
- Adjust the amount of crushed red pepper flakes in the butter to control the heat level according to your taste preference.
- Choose between provolone or cheddar cheese based on your flavor preference to customize the sliders.
- Optional toppings like pickled onions or jalapeños add a tangy or spicy kick that complements the rich steak and butter flavors.
- Grilling the buns lightly enhances texture and flavor, but you can skip this step for softer sliders.
