7 Ways Butter on Steak Enhances Flavor and Moisture

Using butter is a cooking tradition that dates back many years ago. According to NPR, butter consumption in homes grew about 40 percent as more households used butter instead of margarine. Using butter on steak helps unlock flavors within the steak and enhances the taste of the spices added. 

Continue reading to learn why so many households in America use butter when cooking their steaks: 

Disclosure: As an Amazon Associate, this site earns from qualifying purchases. Thank you!

Should you butter your steak? 

Butter adds a lot of flavor to steak and is ideal for basting a steak helping manage the cooking process. If you desire a flavorful steak dinner, use butter to add flavor and keep the meat moist while reducing the likelihood of the meat burning while cooking. 

Why should you not put butter on steak? 

Some chefs prefer to add oil instead of butter because they believe the steak has plenty of fat and flavor on its own. However, if you want to enjoy a steak in its purest form, skip the butter and go for olive or vegetable oil when cooking the steak. 

When should I put butter on my steak? 

Adding the butter while the pan heats could lead to it browning and creating a bitter taste in the steak. It is best to start cooking the steak on a bare pan, then when it is about 20 degrees from your preferred level of doneness, add the butter. 

The recommended internal temperature for steak is about 145 F.

Should you coat steak in butter?

It is often recommended to sear the steak in cooking oil instead of butter because butter burns quickly, which can create an acidic taste. In addition, cooking oil remains stable, even at high cooking temperatures, where butter may blacken and burn the outer portion of the steak. 

What is it called when you put butter on a steak? 

The term used when pan-searing steak in butter is butter-basting, a technique used for steaks, pork chops, and fish. 

Frequently Asked Questions

Why put butter on steak? 

Butter is often the best part of cooking a steak, adding flavor and helping keep the steak juicy. Mixing softened butter with garlic, salt, pepper, and lemon juice can help add flavor to the steak and its savoriness.

Ultimately, butter helps make the steak taste better and allows for the easy addition of herbs and spices when cooking the meat. 

Can I use olive oil on steak? 

It is possible to use olive oil when cooking steak. However, many chefs recommend applying oil to the meat twice during the cooking process to help ensure it receives plenty of flavor and juiciness for the meat to become tender. 

How can I use butter on my steak? 

Adding butter when cooking your steak can help add flavor and allow the meat to retain its juices. The best way to use butter is to add it to your steak minutes before it reaches your desired internal temperature. When adding butter, use only a tablespoon or two and lather it on the beef.

It is best to brush it all over, ensuring the butter is evenly distributed over the steak. When done cooking, let the meat rest with the butter on top for a few minutes to help ensure it remains juicy and the flavor locks into the meat. 

Does Gordon Ramsay put butter on his steaks? 

Gordon Ramsay’s famous steak is made using salt and freshly cracked pepper for seasoning the meat and cooking it in a cast-iron skillet with butter and oil. Garlic, rosemary, and thyme can be added when cooking the steak. He does offer butter as a tip.

Do restaurants cook steaks in butter? 

Restaurants use a lot of salt, seasoning, and fats to cook their mouth-watering steaks. In addition, restaurants tend to cook using butter and oils for cooking the meat, helping to seal in the juices and provide a signature flavor profile to the steaks. 

Should I oil my steak before seasoning it? 

Typically, oil can help the seasoning stick to the meat, but it does not matter if you oil it and top it with spices before cooking. If desired, mix all the seasoning, add some oil and create a paste to apply to the meat. 

What is the best way to season a steak? 

The most common seasoning used on steaks is freshly cracked black pepper and kosher salt. However, adding flaky sea salt, thyme, rosemary, or sage, can help make the meat very flavorful when done cooking. 

What can you use on steaks besides butter? 

Several things can be used on steaks when cooking them besides butter. Popular butter alternatives may include coconut oil, olive oil, margarine, or cooking spray. 

Is putting butter on my steak healthy? 

Butter is a healthy option when cooking steak. Extra butter can be poured off easily, leaving only trace elements of the saturated fat on the steak.

Pouring the extra butter off allows you to enjoy the rich flavor with less of the fat associated with eating straight butter. 

Which is better for cooking steak – butter or oil? 

Though butter is a great way to add flavor and juice to a steak, some people suggest not using butter when cooking steak. However, which option you use, butter or oil, is primarily a personal preference for flavor and health conditions. 

Butter on a steak adds a lot of flavors without a lot of smoke, and it is ideal for basting the steak while cooking. However, when using butter, you cannot let the steak cook while doing other items in the kitchen because it must be closely watched. 

Cooking the steak in oil, such as vegetable or olive, helps provide moisture to the steak, but not the additional flavor. Cooking steak in oil is the best option for people who do not like a lot of added flavor and want to enjoy the meat in its purest form. 

Can I use butter when cooking steak on the grill? 

Many people enjoy putting butter on their steaks, and it is possible to use butter still when grilling steaks. Instead of placing the butter in the cooking pan, melt it and brush it onto the steak near the end of the grilling time. 

More FAQs

When should I put butter on my steak?

You should put butter on your steak after it has cooked in the bare pan until it’s about 20-30 degrees from your desired doneness to avoid burning and creating undesirable bitter flavors.

Does butter make steak crispy?

Butter can make steak crispy by brushing it with a generous amount of melted butter once it reaches the desired temperature. This is crucial for achieving the perfect crust. In addition to enhancing the char, the butter also adds an incredible taste to the steak. If you prefer a dairy-free option, you can use melted beef tallow (fat) instead to brush the steak.

Should I put melted butter on steak?

You should put melted butter on steak. Adding a small amount of softened butter that has been melted over the steak enhances the flavor significantly. Personally, I prefer using salted butter, but if you prefer unsalted butter, you can add your own salt to taste. Additionally, the addition of savory herbs and spices can elevate the taste even further.

Do you need oil or butter for steak?

You need oil, as it has a higher smoke point, when searing steaks. A hot skillet is necessary for a proper sear, but it should be hot enough that butter would start to burn before fully melting. It is not ideal to sear your steak in burnt butter, so it is recommended to use oil instead.

Why do people put butter on top of steak?

People put butter on top of steak because it enhances the flavor of the crust and adds richness to the meat during the final stages of grilling.

Why do chefs spoon butter over steak?

Chefs spoon butter over steak to cook it more gently and efficiently from both sides at the same time, reducing its cooking time significantly. This is achieved through a combination of flipping and basting, which involves spooning hot fat over the meat.

Does butter give steak flavor?

Butter does give flavor to steak. It not only enhances the taste with its deliciousness, but also imparts moisture to the meat. By infusing the butter with ingredients such as garlic, shallots, herbs, salt, and pepper, it further seasons the steak.

Do steakhouses put butter on steak?

Steakhouses typically use a combination of coarse ground black pepper, sea or kosher salt, garlic, and a signature spice to season their steaks. Additionally, they often incorporate a marinade, butter, or a baste/finishing liquid into the cooking process.

Should you coat steak in butter?

Butter adds a rich flavor to steak, but it has a lower smoke point. Some individuals may prefer to maintain the steak’s natural taste without the additional flavor from butter. However, butter is an excellent choice for consistently basting the steak and works particularly well with certain cuts. It is especially suitable for those who enjoy delicately managing the cooking process.

What effect does butter have on steak?

Butter has an effect on steak by enhancing its color due to the addition of proteins. When you sear your steak and find it looking pale, adding butter will quickly give it a deep brown hue.

What is it called when you put butter on steak?

When you put butter on steak, it is referred to as butter-basting, a classic pan-searing technique that often results in the flavorful steaks, chops, and fish that I desire.

Is it better to cook steak with olive oil or butter?

It is better to cook steak with oil for optimal results. This is because cooking steak at a high temperature of 400 degrees Fahrenheit is necessary to achieve a sear on a ribeye, which is not possible with butter. Additionally, heating butter to such high temperatures can release free radical cooties into the air and negatively affect the flavor of the meal. Therefore, using oil instead of butter is a preferable choice.

Is it good to put butter on steak before grilling?

It is recommended to apply butter on steak before grilling, as the finest steaks acquire a significant amount of their flavor and richness from marbling, which refers to the thin lines of fat that run through the muscle tissue. If the beef you are working with lacks the desired level of marbling, you can enhance its taste by rubbing or brushing butter onto the steaks prior to grilling.

Do you put butter or oil in a cast iron skillet for steak?

It is recommended to start with oil, rather than butter, in a cast iron skillet for steak to minimize smoke. For a 12-inch skillet, around 1/2 cup of oil is suggested. Towards the end of cooking the steak, it is advised to add butter and aromatics.

Do you put oil or butter in pan before steak?

You should add 1 tablespoon of butter and 2 tablespoons of olive or canola oil to the pan and observe the butter until it begins to brown. Place the steak in the pan and lower the heat to medium, cooking the first side for 4-6 minutes. Gently turn the steak using tongs, then tilt the pan and baste the cooked side with the pan juices.