Cowboy Steak Sliders are brioche slider rolls brushed with cowboy butter and filled with tender steak, caramelized onions, jalapenos, and cheese. Then, more of the flavorful compound butter is brushed over the tops of the sliders before being baked to perfection! I also have an equally delicious recipe for Cowboy Sliders using ground beef for a flavorful variation.
Cowboy Butter Steak Sliders Ingredients & Smart Substitutions
- Beef: For the steak, I used beef sirloin, which is a tender and juicy cut of steak. Ribeye, flank steak, or a beef tenderloin could also be used. Season the steak with salt and pepper, and let it rest before cooking.
- Onion: I like yellow onions for caramelizing. If you want a sharper flavor, look for white onions. Or, try red onions if you prefer the onions on the sweeter side. If you don’t like onions, you could leave them out. The sliders will still be delicious.
- Jalapeno Pepper: I seeded the jalapeno pepper before slicing. This will take away a little bit of the heat from the pepper. If you leave the seeds and membrane in the pepper, it will give you more of a kick. Or, for a similar texture, but no heat, use a bell pepper. Or, simply leave off the pepper.
- Cheese: I love the taste of sharp cheddar because it stands out a bit more than mild or regular cheddar. (But, those would both still work fine!) Another milder cheese that melts well is Monterey Jack. For those of you who want even more of a kick (besides the jalapeno pepper), try using Pepper Jack cheese!
- Slider Rolls: I usually use Hawaiian rolls or Brioche slider rolls for my slider recipes. For this recipe, I went with brioche. Whole wheat rolls or pretzel rolls would also be delicious.
- Cowboy Butter: Last, but certainly not least, is the homemade cowboy butter! Hey, they say to save the best for last, and this homemade compound butter is THAT good. It is a compound butter made with a blend of herbs and spices with a little kick from cayenne pepper and crushed red pepper flakes. Have you checked out my other cowboy butter recipes, yet? There is a reason I continue to use it with so many foods to enhance the flavor.
Can I Make Cowboy Steak Sliders Without Caramelizing The Onions?
Yes, you can make the sliders without caramelizing the onions. Instead of cooking them until they are sweet and soft, you can use raw, thinly sliced onions for a crunchy texture and sharper flavor. They will still taste great with the other ingredients! Or, leave off the onions altogether.
Make Ahead Tips For Cowboy Steak Sliders
There are a few parts of the cowboy steak sliders that you can prepare ahead of time:
- Steak: Cook and slice the steak in advance. Then, store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat before assembling.
- Caramelize Onions: If adding caramelized onions, they can be made ahead of time. Then, once cool, store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Reheat them before using.
- Cowboy Butter: Make and store the cowboy butter in the refrigerator for up to a week! (But, be warned, you may need to make more when you are ready to make this recipe…you will want to add it to almost everything!)
How To Serve Steak Sliders
Whether serving the sliders as an appetizer or the main dish, they will be devoured! Here are some serving tips to keep in mind:
- Offer extra toppings and condiments. I like the options of lettuce, tomatoes, pickles, extra jalapenos, and more kinds of cheese. As for condiments, try BBQ sauce, ketchup, or aioli, just to name a few.
- Serve the sliders as a main dish with sides like roasted potato wedges, coleslaw, air fryer french fries, onion rings, macaroni and cheese, or corn on the cob.
- For a fun twist, I like to skewer the sliders with cocktail sticks or small skewers. This makes them easy to pick up and adds a playful touch. Providing tongs makes for easy grabbing, too.
- Provide utensils. Yes, these are technically a little sandwich, but they can be messy and you want to enjoy every last morsel of the goodness!
Storing & Reheating Cowboy Steak Sliders
To store cowboy steak sliders, first, let them cool completely. Next, wrap them in plastic wrap or keep them in an airtight container. They can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. Reheat the sliders in the oven or in the microwave.
Cowboy Butter Steak Sliders
Ingredients
- 2 pounds beef sirloin, trimmed of fat
- 2 teaspoons kosher salt
- 2 teaspoons black pepper
- 3 tablespoons unsalted butter, divided
- 1 large yellow onion, cut in half, thinly sliced into half-moon shapes
- 1 medium jalapeño pepper, sliced
- 1 cup (113 g) sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
- 1 package (12-count) Brioche slider rolls
- 1 recipe cowboy butter, melted, divided
Instructions
- Season steak with salt and pepper. Let it rest on the counter for about 30 minutes before cooking.
- While the steak is resting, caramelize the onions. In a large non-stick skillet over medium-low heat, melt 2 tablespoons butter. Once melted, add the onions and sauté them for 25-30 minutes, stirring occasionally, until they are very tender and caramelized to a rich golden brown color. Transfer to a plate and set aside.
- Preheat oven to 350°F. Spray a 9×13-inch baking dish with nonstick cooking spray. Set aside.
- In the same skillet over medium-high heat, melt the remaining butter. Add steak and cook for 4-5 minutes on each side, or until meat is cooked to your liking.*
- Carefully tip up the skillet, spooning the butter back over the steak. You can also add more butter to the pan if you want.
- Set the steak aside to cool slightly, approximately 5 minutes.
- Slice the steak against the grain as thinly as possible.
Assembly
- Split your rolls in half horizontally and place the bottom halves into the prepared baking dish.
- Evenly pour about ¼ cup of the melted cowboy butter over the bottom halves of the rolls in the pan.
- Top with the steak slices.
- Evenly place the jalapeños and shredded cheese over the steak.
- Evenly distribute the caramelized onions over the cheese.
- Place the top halves of the rolls on top of the onions. Brush the tops of the rolls with about ¼ cup melted cowboy butter.
- Cover the dish with aluminum foil and bake for 15 minutes, or until the cheese is hot and bubbly.
- Remove the foil and bake for an additional 3-5 minutes (or until the tops of the sliders turn a golden brown).
- Remove from oven. Brush the remaining melted cowboy butter over the warm sliders.
- Slice and serve.
Notes
Did you make this recipe?
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What the Test Kitchen had to say about this recipe:
Autumn
These steak sliders were awesome! The steak was juicy, and the buttery flavor was super tasty. I loved the little brioche buns, too!
Elizabeth
The cowboy butter really stood out in these sliders, which I loved! It adds so much flavor to so many different foods and recipes. Another winner with these sliders!
Annabelle
These would be great for a party! The steak was tender and juicy, and the butter added a rich flavor. The little buns were perfect for holding everything together.
Bella
Overall, these were pretty good, especially with the added flavor from the cowboy butter.
Selena
These are fantastic! Easy to eat and satisfying enough for a meal!
Oh my goodness, these were amazing!!!! Even my daughter that’s pretty picky liked them!!
wow wow i love these, i think its my new fav slider
My husband made these for us and I immediately asked him to put them in regular rotation. I’ve never had cowboy butter and now I will have some in my fridge at all time because it is that good. And the tender juicy steak bites in the roll were just yum. Thank you for sharing your recipes!
Steak and caramelized onions.