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Cowboy Butter Steak Sliders

Cowboy Butter Steak Sliders

Take your cookout or game day to the next level with these Cowboy Butter Steak Sliders! Tender grilled steak, melty Havarti cheese, and caramelized onions are layered inside buttery toasted slider buns — all brushed with an irresistible zesty-herb cowboy butter. These sliders bring restaurant-quality flavors with simple grilling and a bold sauce that steals the show. Perfect for parties, backyard barbecues, or anytime you’re craving something hearty and unforgettable!

Ingredients

Scale

Serves 4 (makes 9 sliders)

For the Sliders

  • 1 ½ lbs boneless steak (ribeye, filet, or sirloin)

  • Neutral oil (for grilling)

  • Kosher salt, to taste

  • Freshly cracked black pepper, to taste

  • 3 sweet onions, thinly sliced

  • 9 slider buns

  • ¾ lb sliced Havarti cheese

For the Cowboy Butter

  • 1 stick unsalted butter, room temperature

  • 4 garlic cloves, minced

  • ½ lemon, juiced + zested

  • 1 tbsp Dijon mustard

  • 1 tsp paprika

  • ½ tsp cayenne pepper

  • ½ tsp dried thyme

  • 1 tsp red pepper flakes

  • 1 tbsp minced chives

  • 2 tbsp fresh parsley, minced

  • Kosher salt & pepper, to taste

Instructions

1️⃣ Season the Steak

Trim excess fat/silver skin if needed.
Rub steaks with oil and season generously with salt & pepper.
Wrap and refrigerate for a few hours (optional but recommended).

2️⃣ Make the Cowboy Butter

In a small saucepan over low heat, melt butter.
Whisk in lemon juice/zest, garlic, Dijon, paprika, cayenne, and thyme.
Remove from heat and stir in chives & parsley.
Reserve a few tablespoons for basting the steak.

3️⃣ Grill the Steak

Preheat grill to medium-high with an indirect zone.
Let steaks sit at room temp for 30 minutes.
Sear over direct heat 2–3 minutes per side, brushing with cowboy butter.
Move to indirect heat and finish to preferred doneness.
Rest 10 minutes, tented with foil, then slice thinly.

4️⃣ Caramelize the Onions

Place a cast iron skillet on the grill.
Add butter (or oil) and sliced onions.
Cook about 15 minutes, stirring occasionally until jammy and golden.

5️⃣ Assemble the Sliders

Preheat oven broiler.
Split slider buns and brush generously with cowboy butter.
Layer Havarti cheese on both top and bottom buns.
Add caramelized onions and sliced steak to bottom halves.
Broil 1–2 minutes until cheese is melty.
Top, slice, and serve!

Notes

  • Don’t skip the butter baste — it creates the signature flavor!

  • Add pickled jalapeños or crispy fried onions for extra crunch.

  • Try Swiss or provolone instead of Havarti.

  • Make-ahead: caramelize onions and prep butter a day in advance.