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Why Put Butter On Steak?

Steak Butter is a compound butter (a mix of butter and other ingredients) with flavors that are carefully chosen to enhance the meat. Steak butter recipes include salt, garlic and pepper with fresh herbs like parsley and thyme or lemon zest and juices. Some of these ingredients are hard to use on beef because heat destroys their subtle flavors. By putting delicate ingredients in a butter, you can safely add their flavors to steak without destroying them in high heat.

The best compound butters bring flavor to meat that you can’t add while cooking because of the heat. Ingredients like fresh parsley, thyme or basil would die if you put them directly on a steak while cooking.

Prepare your butter before cooking and keep in cool in a refrigerator. Add a dollop to the top of your meat once both sides are seared or after it’s removed from the grill or pan.

I like to make my Steak Butter in the shape of a coin. Once you make your compound butter mixture, roll it into a long tube shape and wrap it tightly in plastic wrap. Chill it in the fridge until it gets firm. When you’re ready to serve the beef, cut your butter into coins. Then place one or two coins directly on top of a hot steak. The best time to do it is right after you remove the steak from heat as it rests for 5 to 10 minutes. The butter will melt into the steak and be soft and juicy when you slice the meat.

Butter is a great way to enhance steak by imbuing it with flavors you couldn’t otherwise achieve because of the high heat used during cooking. It also provides fats and richness to lean cuts of beef.

why put steak butter on meat

Why Do People Put Butter On Steak?

Using butter on steak adds richness and flavor you can’t achieve by other means. The secret ingredient of just about every great chef and steakhouse is butter. It makes meat taste better and more tender. The butter lubricates the meet with fats and softens the charred surface which makes beef easier to chew.

  • A good quality Steak Butter should complement the flavor of the meat but not overpower it. Subtle flavors from zest or herbs are hard to put on meat when it cooking because heat destroys them. But you can flavor beef with all sorts of delicate flavors by putting them in a butter instead.
  • Steak butter is a secret ingredient chefs use to get the most out of their steaks. And the best part is, it only take about 5 minutes to make. If you’re looking for a quick and easy way to make your steak more flavorful and juicy, try steak butter
  • Steak butter is simply a mixture of regular salted or unsalted butter with other ingredients mixed in. Try garlic, lemon juice, salt, and pepper, along with fresh herbs and I like to include a pinch of ginger.

Steak butter is especially good with lean cuts of beef like flank, skirt, hanger or flap. When meat is really lean it benefits a lot from outside fats. It’s also really good when you get a good sear on the outside of the beef. Butter softens the char and lubricates the meat which makes it easier to break down and chew. It also adds a lot of juice to every bite.

Can I Use Steak Butter On Other Meats?

Yes, steak butter is great for other meats like pork, fish, and especially chicken or turkey. Dry types of meat taste a lot better when you introduce some fats to the meal. Steak butter is custom made by mixing together regular butter with a variety of other ingredients like salt, pepper, fresh herbs and juices. Adjust your recipe based on the type of meat you’re using it on.

For example, pork has a natural salt content that’s higher than chicken, fish or turkey, so it’s easy to over salt it. So when you make a compound butter for pork go light on the salt. But chicken, turkey and fish benefit from a little salt because they don’t have much of their own so add it to the butter.

The best compound butters bring flavor to meat that you can’t add while cooking because of the heat.

put butter on steak beef

Is Putting Butter On Steak Good?

Yes, butter is great for continually basting steak in the pan or to use later as a compound steak butter. If you use it while cooking, make sure to continually baste the meat so it’s less likely to burn which ruins the flavor. Butter is a great way to enhance the meats flavor and texture. It’s a secret ingredient used by top chefs to cook all types of meat, fish and poultry.

  • Steak butter is used after the meat is done cooking to add fresh flavors while making the meat even more juicy and tender. It lubricates the meat which makes it easier to chew and breaks down char on the surface.
  • Butter is a great way to enhance your steak by imbuing it with subtle flavors from fresh herbs and zest. Steak butter makes meat more succulent and enhances its already delicious taste.
  • The secret ingredient most great chefs use is better. They either baste the meat while it cooks or add it on later while it rests. The biggest reason why home chefs have a hard time duplicating great meals they’ve eaten out is a lack of butter. Chefs add it to just about everything they cook including great steaks.

Compound butter isn’t just limited to steak. You can also use it on other meats like pork, fish, turkey and chicken for a delicious meal. As a general rule, the dryer the meat the more benefit you’ll get from adding in additional fats.

Butter Softens The Outside Of A Steak

The first thing chefs do when cooking a steak is sear the outside in a pan or on a grill over extremely high heat. Searing develops a wonderful crust on the outside when fat caramelize on the surface of the beef. This locks in juices which makes the meat more tender, juicy and flavorful. Once searing is done, the meat is moved to a cooler section of the grill or the pan heat is turned down so the inside can slow cook.

This process develops a fantastic crust on the outside of a steak. Especially if you’ve seasoned it with coarse salt and pepper before cooking. But you can soften that crust a bit by adding butter.

Add steak butter onto your meat after it’s been removed from the heat and resting. Steaks should rest for 5 to 10 minutes after cooking to consolidate juices. The butter will melt and absorb into the beef and drip into every bite when you slice it.

Butter is a very effective lubricant because it’s a fat. When you add it to tough cuts of beef, it makes the meat easier to break down when you chew. The effect is more tender meat.

Overall, butter is a great way to make meat softer and easier to chew.

basting steak with butter and herbs in a hot skillet

When Should I Put Butter On My Steak?

The best time to put compound butter on steak is just after you’ve removed it from the heat before slicing. Beef should be allowed to rest for about 5 to 10 minutes after your done cooking. During this time, its juices consolidate while it continues to slow cook inside. This time makes the meat even more juicy, flavorful and tender. While it rests, add a pat or two of steak butter on top and let it melt into the meat. When you slice the beef, butter will run down into each bite.

If you plan on basting your steak in butter, add it just after you’ve seared the outside and the internal temperature is about 20 to 30 degrees from your desired level of doneness. Lower the heat to medium and add the butter and fresh herbs to the pan. Baste the meat continuously as you slow cook it. Don’t stop basting or the butter can start to burn. When ready, place the meat in a dish and let it rest for about 5 to 10 minutes. Drizzle what’s in the pan onto the beef as it rests. These juices will absorb into the meat making it even more tender, juicy and flavorful.

How To Use Butter On Steak

There are two ways to use butter on steak, in the pan as you baste or on top when the meat is resting. These techniques can be done on their own or together.

The best time to put compound butter on steak is just after you’ve removed it from the heat. Beef should be rested for about 5 to 10 minutes after your done cooking. During this time, its juices consolidate while it slowly cooks inside. Resting beef makes it even more juicy, flavorful and tender. While it rests, add a pat or two of steak butter on top and let it melt into the meat. When you slice the beef, butter will run down into each bite.

If you plan on basting your steak in butter, add it just after you’ve seared the outside and the internal temperature is about 20 to 30 degrees from your desired level of doneness. Lower the heat to medium and add butter and fresh herbs to the pan. Baste the meat continuously as you slow cook it. Don’t stop basting or the butter can burn. When ready, place the meat in a dish and let it rest for about 5 to 10 minutes. Drizzle what’s in the pan onto the meat as it rests. These juices will absorb into the meat making it even more tender, juicy and flavorful.

Apply Steak Butter When The Meat Is Resting

The best time to put steak butter on your meat is when it’s resting. When a steak is done cooking it should rest for about 5 to 10 minutes before it’s sliced and served. During this time, the inside slowly cooks while juices consolidate. This creates a more tender, juicy and flavorful steak. It’s during this resting period that butter should be applied to the top of your meat. It will slowly melt and absorb into the beef. When you cut it, butter will run down into every bite.

Don’t apply steak butter to meat on a hot pan or grill. High heat will burn the butter and other ingredients used in the mixture like fresh herbs, garlic and zest. You have to be very careful when using steak butter because it burns quickly. I wouldn’t put it on meat being cooked over anything but low to medium heat.

If you use steak butter for basting, make sure you continuously baste the meat as it cooks. Don’t stop or the butter and it’s delicate ingredients could quickly burn. If you use steak butter in a hot pan, even if it’s over medium heat, basting must be continuous and non stop until you remove the meat from heat.

How Much Salt Should Steak Butter Have?

Steak butter, a.k.a. compound butter, is just regular butter mixed with other ingredients like fresh herbs, pepper, salt, juices, zest, garlic, ginger, etc. When you make your butter, you need to be aware of the ingredients used to flavor the meat. The two most common areas where you can over spice beef is heat and salt. Since most steaks are flavored with coarse black pepper and salt, you should adjust your butter recipe to match.

If you flavor your steaks with generous amounts of salt and pepper, don’t add too much to the butter. You’ll end up over salting the meat or making it too spicy.

You should also be aware of the salt and pepper content of all your rubs and other sauces. Some rubs are high in salt and pepper and some aren’t The same goes for sauces. If you’re serving your meat with a spicy dipping sauce don’t over spice the butter.

Keep in mind the butter itself can be either salted or unsalted. If you’re worried about using too much salt, use an unsalted butter. It’ll give you more control over how much salt ends up on the meat.

why put butter on steak - tomahawk steaks finished with butter

What Herbs Are Best In Steak Butter?

One of the best ingredients you can add to steak butter are fresh herbs. There are many great options to choose from like thyme, rosemary, basil, sage, parsley and cilantro. You can also use other ingredients like garlic, pepper, salt, scallions, paprika, turmeric, dill and ginger.

The best way to make great steak butter is mixing and matching different ingredients based on how you flavor your meat.Butter is a finishing touch and should enhance the beef, not overpower it. If you’re already using a strong rub or sauces, use a subtle butter. But if you season your meat simply with just pepper and salt, try a butter with bolder flavors.

Flavoring butter is just like seasoning any other recipe. Use ingredients that go well together and compliment each other rather than than tossing in a bunch of random ingredients.

If you use dried herbs, make sure to rub them in your hands a little before adding them to the butter. Rubbing them releases their essential oils and flavors which will then transfer to the butter.

Do Steakhouses Put Butter On Steak?

Yes, most great steakhouses either baste the meat in butter over low heat with herbs or put a few pats on top when the meat is resting. And some steakhouses do both. The secret ingredient used in most restaurants to create fantastic dishes is butter. Butter adds flavor to steak while making it more tender, juicy and flavorful.

Helpful Tips For Grilling Steaks With Butter

  • Take steaks out of fridge thirty minutes prior to grilling.
  • If you keep steaks in a freezer, don’t grill them until they’re completely thawed out. Cooking partially frozen meat will make it cook unevenly.
  • Season the meat before placing it on the grill. Coarse salt and black pepper are great.
  • Scrape your grill grate and brush lightly with cooking oil before heating.
  • Get half the grill as hot as possible and sear the steaks on all sides. Don’t flip them until they’re golden brown on the edges. Sear both sides.
  • When searing is done, move the meat to the cool side of the grill and let it slowly cook inside.
  • Use tongs to turn the meat.
  • Don’t turn beef with a fork because juices will run out through the holes.
  • Remove the meat just before it reaches your desired level of doneness and cover it loosely with aluminum foil. Let the meat rest for about 5 to 10 minutes. This time lets the meat finish cooking inside while its juices consolidate.
  • Apply a pat or two of steak butter on top as the meat rests.

Steak Butter Recipes

Here’s a list of my all time favorite steak butter recipes. You can make any of these recipes with either salted or unsalted butter. You can also adjust the levels of herbs or spices to taste however you like.

Keep in mind the spice level of whatever meat your using the butter on. it’s very easy to over salt meat or to make it too spicy.

why put butter on steak

Garlic & Herb Infused Steak Butter

This is one of my favorite steak butter recipes that’s quick and easy to make. It’s perfect for everything from hamburger steak, t-bones, strips, rib-eyes, porterhouse, skirt or a filet. I don’t know a steak cut that doesn’t taste better with a bit of compound butter on top.It’s the secret finishing ingredient most chefs use before they serve their steak.

Finishing a steak with butter is very easy to do and worth the effort. It makes the meat more flavorful, juicy and tender. But use it sparingly, butter is a finishing touch and shouldn’t overpower the meat.

The total prep time to make the recipe is 5 to 10 minutes. It should stay in the refrigerator or freezer until it gets hard enough to cut into coins.

Ingredients

  • 1/2 pound salted butter, softened to room temperature (2 sticks, 1 cup)
  • 1 tablespoon crushed garlic
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons coarse kosher salt
  • 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
  • 2 tablespoons finely chopped fresh parsley
  • 1 tablespoon finely chopped fresh thyme
  • 1 tablespoon finely chopped fresh chives
  • 1 teaspoon finely chopped fresh basil

Directions

  1. Mix the ingredient together in a small bowl using a wooden spoon, spatula or fork. At this point you can refrigerate and use the butter in about 5 minutes, but I like to turn them into coin shapes first which I’ll explain how to do next
  2. Lay out a sheet of plastic wrap and spoon the ingredients on in a thin line
  3. Roll the butter up using the plastic to form a log shape. The log should be about an inch thick and a foot long
  4. Refrigerate or freeze until needed
  5. When needed, remove the plastic and slice the butter into coins about 1/4 inch thick. Use one or two per steak as it rests.

Summary: Why Put Butter On Steak?

Steak Butter is a compound butter (a mix of butter and other ingredients) with flavors that are carefully chosen to enhance the meat. Ingredients include salt, garlic and pepper with fresh herbs like parsley and thyme or lemon zest and juices. Some of these ingredients are hard to use on beef because heat destroys their subtle flavors. By putting delicate ingredients in a butter, you can safely add their flavors to beef without destroying them in high heat.

The best compound butters bring flavor to meat that you can’t add while cooking because of the heat. Ingredients like fresh parsley, thyme or basil would die if you put them directly on a steak while cooking.

Prepare your butter before cooking and keep in cool in a refrigerator. Add a dollop to the top of your meat once both sides are seared or after it’s removed from the grill or pan.

I like to make my Steak Butter in the shape of a coin. Once you make your compound butter mixture, roll it into a long tube shape and wrap it tightly in plastic wrap. Chill it in the fridge until it gets firm. When you’re ready to serve the beef, cut your butter into coins. Then place one or two coins directly on top of a hot steak. The best time to do it is right after you remove the steak from heat as it rests for 5 to 10 minutes.

Butter is a way to enhance beef by imbuing it with flavors you couldn’t otherwise achieve because of the high heat used during cooking. It also provides fats and richness to lean cuts of beef.

If you have any questions, email any time.

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