Cowboy Butter Steak Pizza

Cowboy Butter Steak Pizza is an easy and delicious pizza to make for dinner. Fresh pizza dough is topped with the Tiktok viral cowboy butter, grilled steak, cheese, and fresh arugula. You’ll want a slice or two! 

Our family motto: In Pizza, We Crust. 

Is there anything better than a hot slice of pizza on a Friday night after a long work week? I think not. We usually opt for delivery (Hello, Carls!) when it comes to consuming said pizza, but sometimes making a homemade pie just hits the spot. 

A few of my favorite creations: Carbonara Pizza with Burrata, BBQ Chicken Baguette Pizza, Easy Green Goddess Chicken Pizza  and now this Cowboy Butter Steak Pizza. 

Have you heard of cowboy butter? If not, it’s a luscious concoction that boasts the warmth of garlic, the zest of lemon, and the earthy aroma of a medley of spices that went viral on Tiktok. Folks have been dipping and spreading this butter all over the internet that I figured, why not use it as a base for a pizza? 

So, saddle up and let’s dive into this culinary, western pizza delight.

What is Cowboy Butter?

Cowboy Butter is a savory compound butter that’s rich in flavor and often used to enhance the taste of various dishes. The name conjures up images of hearty, rustic flavors, which is fitting for cowboy-ish cuisines.

This versatile cowboy butter sauce recipe can be used for a variety of culinary applications, such as basting grilled meats, drizzling over vegetables, melting atop freshly baked bread, and even as a base for sauces and marinades. Plus, it’s super simple to make and can be made ahead of time to use throughout the week! 

Ingredients Used to Make Cowboy Butter Steak Pizza

Making homemade pizza doesn’t need to be stressful or time consuming. For this recipe you can use either homemade dough or store-bought. From there it’s a simple gathering of ingredients for the cowboy butter, leftover grilled steak, and fresh vegetable on top. Easy peasy. All you will need is: 

• Unsalted butter – melted and slightly cool
• Fresh lemon juice – optional to add lemon zest
• Garlic – the more the better! 
• Shallot – white or yellow onion will work too
• Horseradish – adds flavor
• Cayenne – optional (or red pepper flakes)
• Dijon mustard
• Paprika – creates a smoky flavor 
• herbs – fresh chives, fresh thyme, fresh parsley
• Kosher salt and black pepper 
• Favorite type of steak– leftovers work great! 
• Shredded mozzarella – any white cheese works great! 
• Mushrooms – optional 
• Fresh arugula – for garnish 

How to Cook Cowboy Butter Steak Pizza

Making pizza at home couldn’t be easier! These simple steps will help you achieve the best results and ensure a delicious, and perfectly cooked pizza:

1. Start with the cowboy butter ingredients. In a medium bowl combine melted butter, fresh lemon juice, garlic, shallot, Dijon mustard, horseradish, cayenne pepper (optional) and paprika. Stir until well combined and then add in fresh parsley, chives, thyme, kosher salt and freshly ground pepper. 
2. Preheat an oven to 400 degrees. Spray a baking sheet with nonstick cooking spray or place a piece of parchment paper on the sheet. Next, stretch the pizza dough into a 9×13 rectangle and place on the prepared baking sheet. Par-bake the dough for about 5 minutes and remove from the oven.
3. Next, top the pizza dough with the cowboy butter making sure to leave a one-inch border for the crust. You will have left over cowboy butter that you can use later for dipping! Top with the sauce with thinly sliced steak, mushrooms, and shredded cheese. Cook for another 15 minutes or until golden brown. Remove from the oven and garnish with fresh arugula! Slice and enjoy! 

Easy Variations for Cowboy Butter Steak Pizza

• Southwestern Spice:
  • Add a touch of the Southwest by incorporating ingredients like chipotle peppers in adobo sauce .This will infuse the pizza with a smoky, slightly spicy flavor.
  • Top the pizza with roasted corn, black beans, diced avocado, and a sprinkle of cotija cheese for an added Tex-Mex flair.
• Blue Cheese and Caramelized Onion:
  • Incorporate crumbled blue cheese into the Cowboy Butter for a tangy and creamy twist.
  • Top the pizza with caramelized onions for a sweet contrast, and sprinkle some walnuts or pecans for added crunch and texture.
• BBQ Fusion:
  • Mix a bit of your favorite barbecue sauce into the Cowboy Butter for a tangy and slightly smoky flavor profile.
  • Use smoked gouda or cheddar cheese as the primary cheese, and add some diced red onion and thinly sliced bell peppers to enhance the barbecue theme.
• Mediterranean Magic:
  • Infuse the Cowboy Butter with Mediterranean flavors by adding chopped Kalamata olives, sun-dried tomatoes, and a sprinkle of dried oregano.
  • Replace the traditional cheese with crumbled feta or goat cheese for a tangy and creamy element. Top with fresh baby spinach leaves before serving.
• Spicy Jalapeno Fiesta:
  • Incorporate finely minced pickled jalapenos into the Cowboy Butter for a fiery kick.
  • Top the pizza with sliced jalapenos, diced tomatoes, red onion, and cilantro for a vibrant and zesty flavor profile.

Proper Storing 

Fridge: If you have leftovers or need to store the pizza for a longer period, follow these steps:

• Allow the pizza to cool down to room temperature on a cooling rack before storing.
• Divide any remaining pizza into individual slices to make reheating easier.
• Wrap the individual slices or the whole pizza in plastic wrap or airtight containers.
• It can be stored in the fridge for up to 3-4 days.

Freezing: If you want to store TikTok viral cowboy butter for an extended period, freezing is a great option:

• Follow the same steps as for refrigeration, wrapping the pizza in plastic wrap or aluminum foil, or placing it in an airtight container.
• Before wrapping, you can pre-slice the pizza if you plan to reheat individual slices..
• Place the wrapped pizza in the freezer. Frozen pizza can be stored for about 1-2 months.

Reheating: When you’re ready to enjoy the stored Cowboy Butter Steak Pizza:

• For refrigerated pizza, you can reheat it in a preheated oven at around 350°F for about 10-15 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and the crust is crispy.
• For frozen pizza, allow it to thaw in the refrigerator overnight, then reheat as mentioned above. Alternatively, you can reheat frozen pizza slices in a toaster oven or microwave, though the results might not be as crisp as oven reheating.