Cooking a perfect steak is a fine art, and one secret ingredient that can truly elevate the flavor is butter. Whether you’re searing a steak on the stove, finishing it with a butter basting, or adding a pat of compound butter at the end, choosing the right butter can make a significant difference. However, with so many varieties of butter out there, how do you know which one is truly the best butter for steak?
In this comprehensive guide, we’ll explore the different types of butter, why butter is essential to cooking steak, and how to use it properly. We’ll also look at some amazing compound butter recipes that you can easily whip up at home to give your steak that extra touch of flavor. Read on to discover everything you need to know about the best butter for steak.
Why Butter is Essential for Steak
Butter does more than just add a rich, creamy flavor to steak. It also helps create a perfect crust by contributing to the Maillard reaction—the browning process that happens when steak hits a hot surface. Butter contains natural sugars and proteins that work together with the steak’s fat to create a savory, caramelized crust that oils just can’t match.
But it doesn’t stop at flavor. Butter also adds moisture to steak, ensuring that the meat stays juicy even as the outside crisps up. As you cook, the fats in the butter coat the steak, sealing in the juices and giving each bite a melt-in-your-mouth texture. According to Healthline, butter also offers essential vitamins like vitamin A and vitamin D, making it not only a flavorful addition but a nutritious one as well.
Butter is especially helpful when combined with garlic, herbs, and even spices. For an even richer experience, you can experiment with compound butter, which blends butter with these additional ingredients to enhance the steak’s flavor profile. Learn how to make compound butter in this guide
The Benefits of Using Butter for Steak
So, why is butter so important for cooking steak? Here are several key reasons why butter is an essential ingredient when it comes to preparing the perfect steak:
- Rich Flavor: Butter adds a creamy, slightly sweet flavor that enhances the natural flavors of the steak. Unlike oils, which may impart only fat, butter adds layers of taste.
- Moisture Retention: When you cook steak, the heat can cause the meat to lose moisture. Butter helps to lock that moisture in, keeping the steak juicy and tender.
- Caramelization: Thanks to the natural sugars and proteins in butter, it aids in developing a crispy, golden-brown crust during cooking, which is known as the Maillard reaction.
- Flavor Infusion: Butter acts as a flavor conductor, allowing you to infuse your steak with the flavors of herbs, garlic, and spices by simply adding them to the butter.
For those who want to experiment with more advanced flavors, compound butters—which mix butter with ingredients like garlic, herbs, or even blue cheese—are a great option. They melt beautifully over steak, delivering a combination of moisture and bold, infused flavors.
Types of Butter for Steak
When choosing the best butter for steak, you’ll want to consider several factors: salted or unsalted, the type of butterfat, and whether you want to try something like compound butter. Let’s explore the most common types of butter used for steak:
1. Unsalted vs. Salted Butter
One of the first decisions to make when choosing butter for your steak is whether to go with unsalted or salted butter. Here’s a breakdown of both:
- Unsalted Butter: Most chefs prefer unsalted butter for steak because it allows them to control the exact amount of seasoning. If you like to adjust salt levels carefully, this is the way to go. Unsalted butter provides a neutral flavor base, letting the steak and added seasonings shine.
- Salted Butter: If you’re looking for convenience, salted butter can work well. The pre-added salt gives the steak extra flavor, but you’ll need to be careful not to over-salt the dish, especially if you’re adding other seasonings to the steak.
Choosing between salted and unsalted butter depends on how much control you want over your seasoning. If precision matters, go with unsalted. If you’re looking for a quick fix, salted butter will do the job.
2. Grass-Fed Butter
For the best flavor and nutritional value, grass-fed butter is often considered the gold standard for cooking steak. Cows that eat grass produce butter with higher levels of omega-3 fatty acids and conjugated linoleic acid (CLA), both of which have health benefits. Grass-fed butter also has a more complex, slightly nutty flavor compared to regular butter.
One of the most popular brands of grass-fed butter is Kerrygold. Known for its richness, Kerrygold butter has a creamy texture and a higher fat content, making it perfect for both basting and finishing steak.
Benefits of grass-fed butter include:
- Richer Flavor: The deeper, more complex flavor enhances the taste of the steak.
- Higher Fat Content: This helps achieve a better sear on the steak and adds richness to the dish.
- Health Benefits: Grass-fed butter is rich in healthy fats, which are beneficial for heart health and overall wellness.
3. Clarified Butter (Ghee)
If you’re cooking steak at high heat, clarified butter or ghee is a fantastic option. Clarified butter is made by slowly heating regular butter and removing the water and milk solids, leaving behind pure butterfat. This process raises the butter’s smoke point, allowing you to sear your steak at higher temperatures without burning the butter.
The benefits of clarified butter include:
- High Smoke Point: Perfect for high-heat cooking, such as searing a steak to develop a crisp crust.
- Pure Flavor: Clarified butter has a concentrated, rich flavor, which adds depth to your steak without burning during cooking.
- Longer Shelf Life: Since the water and milk solids are removed, clarified butter has a longer shelf life and can be stored at room temperature.
4. Compound Butter
For an extra touch of flavor, compound butter is an easy and delicious way to elevate your steak. Compound butter is regular butter that’s been mixed with other ingredients like herbs, spices, garlic, or cheese. The butter melts over the steak, creating a rich sauce that enhances the flavor of the meat.
Popular compound butter recipes include:
- Garlic Herb Butter: This is a classic choice, combining butter with garlic, parsley, and thyme. It adds a flavorful kick to any cut of steak.
- Blue Cheese Butter: For those who enjoy a bold, tangy flavor, blue cheese butter pairs beautifully with ribeye and other fatty cuts of steak. The richness of the cheese complements the steak’s marbling.
- Lemon Thyme Butter: A lighter option, this compound butter adds a hint of citrus and fresh herbs to brighten up the steak’s flavor profile.
For more ideas on how to make your own compound butters, check out this guide from Carmen Recipes.
How to Use Butter When Cooking Steak
Now that you know which types of butter to use, let’s discuss how to properly cook steak with butter. Whether you’re butter basting, searing, or finishing the steak with a pat of butter, each technique has its benefits. Here are a few ways to use butter effectively when cooking steak:
1. Butter Basting
Butter basting is one of the most popular techniques when cooking steak. This method involves spooning melted butter over the steak as it cooks, infusing the meat with the rich, creamy flavor of the butter while keeping it moist.
Steps for Butter Basting:
- Start by searing the steak on high heat in a little oil until a golden crust forms on both sides.
- Lower the heat, then add butter, garlic, and herbs to the pan.
- As the butter melts, tilt the pan and use a spoon to continuously baste the steak with the melted butter.
- Continue basting for several minutes until the steak reaches your desired level of doneness.
Butter basting not only enhances the steak’s flavor but also helps to keep it juicy by locking in moisture. The garlic and herbs in the butter add additional layers of flavor, making every bite even more delicious.
2. Searing Steak with Butter
While butter is fantastic for adding flavor, it has a relatively low smoke point. This means it can burn if used too early in the cooking process. For this reason, many chefs prefer to sear their steak in a higher smoke point fat, like clarified butter or ghee, and then add regular butter towards the end of cooking.
How to Sear Steak with Butter:
- Heat oil or clarified butter in a hot pan until it begins to shimmer.
- Add your seasoned steak to the pan and sear it on each side for 2-3 minutes until a golden-brown crust forms.
- Reduce the heat, then add butter, garlic, and herbs to the pan.
- Baste the steak with the melted butter for added flavor and moisture.
Using butter for the final stage of searing adds richness without burning the butter. It also ensures that the steak gets that signature buttery finish, giving it a more luxurious taste.
Best Butter Brands for Steak
Choosing the right brand of butter can make a difference in how your steak turns out. Here are some popular butter brands to consider when cooking steak:
- Kerrygold: As one of the most well-known brands of grass-fed butter, Kerrygold is famous for its rich, creamy texture and higher fat content. It’s an excellent choice for basting or finishing a steak.
- Land O’Lakes: A reliable, affordable option, Land O’Lakes butter is widely available and offers consistent flavor. While it’s not grass-fed, it still delivers good results for steak.
- Plugrá European Style Butter: Plugrá is a European-style butter with a higher fat content than regular butter. This makes it perfect for basting, as the higher fat content helps to create a luxurious finish on the steak.
For more tips on elevating your steak with butter and sauces, check out What Is Burger Sauce Made Of?.
Internal Linking Opportunities
While you’re mastering the art of steak and butter, there are other delicious recipes and guides to explore:
- Learn about different sauces and flavor combinations in the Ultimate Guide to Burger Sauces.
- Want to add unique flavor twists to your steak? Dive into the world of seasonings and sauces with What Is Big Mac Sauce Made Of?.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
- What butter is best for steak: salted or unsalted?
- Most chefs prefer unsalted butter for control over seasoning. Salted butter can work, but be careful not to over-season.
- Can I use margarine instead of butter for steak?
- While margarine can be used, it lacks the richness and depth of flavor that real butter provides.
- Is grass-fed butter better for steak?
- Yes, grass-fed butter is richer in flavor and contains higher levels of omega-3s and vitamin A, making it a top choice for steak.
- How much butter should I use when basting steak?
- Typically, 2-3 tablespoons of butter is enough for basting, depending on the size of the steak.
- When should I add butter to steak?
- Add butter during the final stages of cooking or after searing to prevent it from burning.
Conclusion
Choosing the best butter for steak is key to achieving a rich, flavorful dish. Whether you prefer the control of unsalted butter, the richness of grass-fed butter, or the bold flavors of compound butter, the right butter can take your steak to new heights. By using butter properly, through techniques like butter basting or finishing with butter, your steak will turn out juicy, flavorful, and unforgettable.
For even more inspiration, check out how to pair your steak with delicious sauces and spreads at Carmen’s Recipes.