Butter Herb Spread

Featured in Spreads Worth Keeping in the Fridge.

This tasty butter mix includes fresh herbs, mustard, garlic, and spices. Use it for dipping or spreading—so quick to make!
Una donna con un cappello a coda di cavallo e un vestito nero.
Updated on Sun, 13 Apr 2025 11:10:23 GMT
A plate shows a steak coated in herb butter, sprinkled with spices, paired with a knife and extra butter. Pin it
A plate shows a steak coated in herb butter, sprinkled with spices, paired with a knife and extra butter. | kylierecipes.com

I've got to share this amazing kitchen gem that's become the talk of every gathering at my house - Cowboy Butter! I stumbled upon this wonderful mixture when trying to upgrade our regular steak evenings, and now my crew asks for it with practically everything. It's this fantastic combination of butter, garden-fresh herbs, and just enough spice that turns any food into something extraordinary.

The Tale Behind This Fabulous Butter

Imagine your standard butter with a wild, fun personality. After experimenting with herbs and spices from my pantry, I've nailed down this combination that delivers that ideal mix of smooth buttery flavor with a little tang from Dijon and some gentle heat from the spices. It's become what I reach for whether I'm serving bread or grilling meat.

What Goes Into It

  • Butter: Grab quality unsalted kind, room temperature works best.
  • Dijon: The hidden ingredient that adds perfect zestiness.
  • Fresh Herbs: I use chives, parsley, and thyme picked from my garden when I can.
  • Lemon: A small amount makes all flavors stand out.
  • Spices: Just a dash here and there for depth, not spiciness.

Endless Ways To Enjoy It

This butter makes any dish better! I adore dropping a piece on hot steaks, watching it melt into an amazing sauce. Spread it on warm bread and you'll see smiles all around. Sometimes I mix it with freshly cooked pasta for the easiest, tastiest meal ever. My little ones even like to dip their roasted potatoes in it—either melted or simply spread on some toasted garlic bread.

Storage Tips

Here's a trick that cuts down on prep time. I create a large batch, form it into a log, wrap it carefully, and store it in my fridge. It stays good for roughly five days, though truthfully, we always finish it faster at my place! Want to keep some for later use? Stick it in the freezer—it'll stay good for months. Just cut off what you want while it's frozen solid.

Creating Your Kitchen Wonder

Blend Everything
Begin with your softened butter, then throw in all those fantastic seasonings. I usually grab my mixer, but you can totally use just a bowl and spoon.
Form It Nicely
This part's my favorite: roll your mixture into a log using plastic wrap. It looks so fancy!
Getting It Ready
Want to use it as a sauce? Just warm some in the microwave, stir it around, and watch it transform into something amazing.

Fan Favorite For A Reason

Whenever I bring out this butter during get-togethers, guests always want to know how to make it. There's something about that ideal mix of herbs and spices with the smooth butter that elevates any food. Even my choosy nephew, who says he doesn't go for "fancy stuff," always wants more on his bread!

A slice of bread topped with creamy butter, sprinkled with herbs and black pepper, served on a wooden board alongside lemon wedges. Pin it
A slice of bread topped with creamy butter, sprinkled with herbs and black pepper, served on a wooden board alongside lemon wedges. | kylierecipes.com

Customization Options

I should tell you about some tasty tweaks I've tried. Sometimes I leave out the hot ingredients when serving the kids. Other times I'll add some fresh rosemary from the garden or mix in some shredded parmesan. Once, I swapped in grainy mustard instead of Dijon, and it turned out great! Think of the basic formula as just your starting place.

Foods That Go Great With It

This butter works with so many foods! Recently, I paired it with some grilled shrimp, and nobody could get enough. It tastes wonderful melted over cooked veggies, creates incredible garlic bread, and totally transforms a basic baked potato. I even use it to finish off pan sauces for that little bit of extra richness.

Keeping It Good Longer

Let me share my top storage advice from making this butter countless times. Keep it tightly wrapped in your fridge, and it'll stay fresh for about five days. I prefer using parchment first, followed by plastic wrap—it maintains the flavor perfectly. For storing longer, cut your butter log before freezing, then you can take just what you need without defrosting everything.

The Ultimate Formula

  • Butter: One cup of premium quality, softened to room temp.
  • Dijon: A tablespoon gives that ideal tanginess.
  • Fresh Herbs: Large amounts of parsley, thyme, and chives.
  • Spices: That wonderful blend of paprika, cayenne, and pepper flakes.
  • Lemon: Freshly squeezed makes all the difference.
  • Garlic: Freshly minced—skip the pre-packaged stuff!

Ideal Food Pairings

Let me run through my favorite ways to use this amazing butter! It's simply divine on a juicy grilled steak, changes plain chicken breasts into something memorable, and adds extra flair to holiday roasts. My number one pick, though? Melted into hot mashed potatoes—it's the ultimate comfort food upgrade.

Great For Gatherings

Want to know what makes this butter shine at parties? I create what I call a "butter board"—slices of cowboy butter arranged alongside various breads, fresh rolls, and roasted veggies. Guests love trying different combinations. At my most recent dinner, everyone huddled around the butter board, talking and tasting—it was such a success!

Simple Steps Recap

Let me go over it once more because it's incredibly easy. Take your softened butter, blend in all those delicious herbs and spices, add that fresh lemon and tangy Dijon. In just a few minutes, you've created something that improves any dish. I love how such a basic idea can have such a big impact.

Must-Have For Your Kitchen

This isn't just another flavored butter—it's like having a culinary trick up your sleeve. The way it changes basic foods into something special seems almost like magic. Whether you're cooking for family or having friends over, this butter has that sweet spot between everyday and special that pleases everybody.

A log of herb-infused butter garnished with chopped herbs sits on a dark plate. Pin it
A log of herb-infused butter garnished with chopped herbs sits on a dark plate. | kylierecipes.com

Ready To Start Making It

Take my word for it, after you make this cowboy butter the first time, you'll wonder how you managed without it. It's one of those simple recipes that makes you feel like a cooking pro. Go ahead and play with how you use it, and always make extra because everyone wants seconds!

Frequently Asked Questions

→ Is it okay to use dried herbs?
Fresh gives richer flavor, but dried works too. Use a third of the amount since dried herbs pack more punch.
→ How long will this last?
You can keep it sealed in the fridge for about 5 days. Let it soften a bit before spreading.
→ What can I pair it with?
Spread it on warm bread, rolls, or melt it for dipping meats, seafood, or veggies. Amazing on grilled steak too!
→ Can this be frozen?
Sure! Wrap it tightly in plastic, then foil, and freeze for up to 3 months. Let it thaw in the fridge to use.
→ What if I hate spicy flavors?
Just skip the red pepper flakes and cayenne. It’ll still turn out full of flavor from the other ingredients.

Butter Herb Spread

A flavorful blend of lemon, garlic, spices, and fresh herbs. Perfect melted as a dip or spread on your favorite bread.

Prep Time
5 Minutes
Cook Time
~
Total Time
5 Minutes
By: Kylie


Difficulty: Easy

Cuisine: American

Yield: 10 Servings (10 tablespoons)

Dietary: Low-Carb, Vegetarian, Gluten-Free

Ingredients

01 1/2 tsp (0.6g) paprika
02 1 tbsp roughly chopped parsley
03 2 tsp freshly minced garlic
04 1 tsp lemon juice
05 1 tbsp strong Dijon mustard
06 2 tsp thyme, finely chopped
07 1/8 tsp black pepper
08 1/4 tsp kosher salt
09 1/2 cup (113g) softened unsalted butter
10 1/8 tsp crushed red pepper flakes
11 1/8 tsp cayenne powder
12 1 tbsp chopped fresh chives

Instructions

Step 01

Stir the butter together with the spices and fresh herbs until smooth and fully blended.

Step 02

Wrap the mixture in plastic film, form into a roll, and refrigerate until firm—this takes about 2 hours.

Step 03

Microwave in short 20-second bursts, stirring in between, until melted completely.

Step 04

Seal and store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to five days.

Notes

  1. Works great spread on bread or used as a dip.
  2. Yields a total of about 2/3 cup.
  3. You can also process this in a food processor.

Tools You'll Need

  • Bowl for mixing
  • Optional: food processor

Allergy Information

Please check ingredients for potential allergens and consult a health professional if in doubt.
  • contains dairy (butter)

Nutrition Facts (Per Serving)

It is important to consider this information as approximate and not to use it as definitive health advice.
  • Calories: 94
  • Total Fat: 10 g
  • Total Carbohydrate: 1 g
  • Protein: ~