Kinder's Cowboy Butter vs Buttery Steakhouse: Which Should You Buy?

The Cowboy Butter Craze Meets the Steakhouse Classic

Kinder's has two butter-forward seasonings that dominate backyard grills and weeknight dinner tables across America. Cowboy Butter Seasoning rode the viral cowboy butter trend to cult status, while Buttery Steakhouse has been a quietly beloved workhorse for steak lovers for years. Both promise rich, savory flavor with minimal effort, but they take very different approaches.

If you've been staring at both bottles online or in the store aisle, wondering which one to grab, you're not alone. These two seasonings overlap just enough to cause confusion, but differ in ways that matter when you're planning dinner. This guide breaks down the flavor profiles, ingredient differences, ideal uses, and real cooking scenarios to help you decide which one fits your style—or whether you need both.

What Is Cowboy Butter Seasoning?

Cowboy butter started as a viral compound butter recipe—softened butter mixed with garlic, herbs, lemon, and a kick of chili flakes, typically served melting over steak. It exploded on TikTok and Instagram, and Kinder's responded with a shelf-stable seasoning blend that captures those bright, herbaceous, garlicky flavors without needing to make compound butter from scratch.

Kinder's Organic Cowboy Butter Seasoning is USDA Organic and built around dehydrated butter, garlic, parsley, chives, crushed red pepper, and a hint of lemon. The flavor is bold and fresh-tasting, with noticeable heat and a pronounced herb presence. It's designed to bring the cowboy butter experience to anything you're cooking—not just steak.

The organic certification matters to some home cooks, and the ingredient list is cleaner than many seasoning blends on the market. It's also surprisingly versatile. While it was born from steak culture, people use it on chicken, shrimp, vegetables, popcorn, and even garlic bread.

Flavor Profile: Bright, Garlicky, and Herbaceous

Cowboy Butter leans green and punchy. The herbs are front and center—you'll immediately taste parsley and chives, with garlic close behind. The crushed red pepper brings a gentle but noticeable heat that builds as you eat. There's a subtle tanginess that mimics the lemon in traditional cowboy butter, and the dehydrated butter adds a creamy, savory backbone without being greasy.

This is not a subtle seasoning. It's assertive, aromatic, and designed to be the star of the dish. If you love bold, restaurant-style flavors with a little kick, Cowboy Butter delivers.

What Is Buttery Steakhouse Seasoning?

Buttery Steakhouse has been a Kinder's fan favorite for years, long before cowboy butter became a household phrase. It's a more traditional steakhouse-style seasoning—think the kind of rich, savory crust you'd expect on a ribeye at a classic American chophouse.

Kinder's Buttery Steakhouse Seasoning blends dehydrated butter with black pepper, garlic, onion, and a carefully balanced salt profile. It's smooth, deeply savory, and built to enhance rather than overpower. Where Cowboy Butter announces itself, Buttery Steakhouse works quietly in the background, amplifying the natural flavor of beef, pork, or chicken.

This seasoning is all about classic comfort. It's not trying to be trendy or viral—it's just trying to make your Tuesday night ribeye taste like it came from a white-tablecloth restaurant. And it does that job exceptionally well.

Flavor Profile: Rich, Savory, and Balanced

Buttery Steakhouse is smooth and umami-forward. The butter flavor is more pronounced than in Cowboy Butter, and there's a warm, toasted-garlic quality that feels indulgent. Black pepper adds a mild kick without any real heat, and the onion powder rounds everything out with a subtle sweetness.

There's no tanginess, no bright herbs, no chili flakes. This is pure steakhouse richness—salty, buttery, garlicky, and deeply satisfying. It's the kind of seasoning that makes you want to close your eyes and savor the first bite.

Head-to-Head Comparison: Key Differences

Both seasonings deliver on the promise of buttery, savory flavor, but they do it in fundamentally different ways. Here's how they stack up side by side.

Flavor Direction

Cowboy Butter: Bright, herbaceous, garlicky, with noticeable heat and a hint of lemon. It's bold and multi-dimensional, with a fresh, almost zesty quality.

Buttery Steakhouse: Rich, smooth, deeply savory, with black pepper and garlic leading the charge. It's classic steakhouse flavor with no frills or surprises.

Heat Level

Cowboy Butter: Mild to moderate heat from crushed red pepper. It's not going to make you sweat, but you'll definitely feel a gentle warmth.

Buttery Steakhouse: No heat. Just a touch of black pepper for subtle spice.

Herb Presence

Cowboy Butter: Heavy on parsley and chives. You'll see green flecks and taste them clearly.

Buttery Steakhouse: No fresh herbs. The flavor is built on aromatics like garlic and onion, but nothing green or bright.

Best for Steak

Both are excellent on steak, but they give you completely different results. Cowboy Butter turns your steak into a bold, punchy, slightly spicy experience with layers of flavor. It's restaurant-style in a modern, Instagram-ready way.

Buttery Steakhouse gives you that classic steakhouse crust—the kind you'd get at a traditional chophouse where the beef is the star and the seasoning is there to make it shine. It's timeless, indulgent, and comforting.

If you want something exciting and a little unexpected, go Cowboy Butter. If you want to nail the perfect steakhouse ribeye at home, go Buttery Steakhouse.

Versatility Beyond Steak

This is where things get interesting. While both seasonings are marketed for steak, they're both wildly versatile—just in different directions.

Cowboy Butter works beautifully on:

• Grilled chicken thighs or breasts
• Shrimp (especially grilled or sautéed)
• Roasted vegetables like asparagus, Brussels sprouts, or cauliflower
• Garlic bread or dinner rolls
• Baked potatoes or wedges
• Popcorn (seriously—it's addictive)
• Eggs and breakfast scrambles

The bright, herby flavor makes it a natural fit for lighter proteins and vegetables. It adds complexity without weighing things down.

Buttery Steakhouse shines on:

• Any cut of beef, from ground chuck to prime rib
• Burgers (it's a game-changer on smash burgers)
• Pork chops and tenderloin
• Roasted chicken, especially whole birds
• Mashed or baked potatoes
• Grilled corn on the cob
• Mushrooms and onions for steak toppings

This seasoning is best on rich, hearty dishes where you want deep, savory flavor. It's comfort food in a bottle.

Which One Should You Buy First?

If you can only choose one, ask yourself what you cook most often and what flavor profile excites you.

Choose Cowboy Butter If:

• You love bold, herbaceous flavors with a little heat
• You cook a lot of chicken, seafood, or vegetables
• You want something Instagram-worthy and trendy
• You like seasonings that stand out and make a statement
• You prefer organic ingredients when possible
• You're a garlic and herb fanatic

Choose Buttery Steakhouse If:

• You grill or pan-sear steak regularly
• You want classic, timeless steakhouse flavor
• You cook a lot of beef and pork
• You prefer rich, savory, umami-forward seasonings
• You don't like heat or strong herbs
• You want a seasoning that enhances without overpowering

Real-World Cooking Scenarios: Which Wins?

Let's walk through some common cooking situations and see which seasoning makes the most sense.

Scenario 1: Weeknight Grilled Chicken

You've got four chicken breasts, a hot grill, and 20 minutes. Cowboy Butter is the move here. The bright herbs and garlic make lean chicken taste vibrant and interesting, and the crushed red pepper keeps things exciting. Pair it with a simple side salad and you've got a restaurant-quality meal.

Buttery Steakhouse would work fine, but it's a bit one-note on chicken compared to the complexity Cowboy Butter brings.

Scenario 2: Perfect Ribeye Night

You splurged on a thick-cut ribeye and you want to do it justice. Buttery Steakhouse is the classic choice. It brings that chophouse crust and lets the beef be the hero. Season generously, sear hard, and finish with a pat of butter. That's steakhouse magic at home.

Cowboy Butter would give you a bolder, more complex steak, but some purists feel it competes with the beef rather than complementing it. Your call.

Scenario 3: Party Wings

You're making a big batch of wings for game day. Cowboy Butter delivers here. Toss crispy wings in melted butter and Cowboy Butter seasoning, and you've got a crowd-pleaser with layers of flavor—garlic, herbs, spice, butter. If you want to take it further, try a wing sauce like Kinder's Hot Teriyaki or Sweet & Spicy Korean Wing Sauce and finish with a Cowboy Butter dusting for extra depth.

Buttery Steakhouse would be good on wings too, but it's more subtle and better suited for a simple dry-rub situation.

Scenario 4: Smash Burgers on the Griddle

Buttery Steakhouse wins this round. Smash burgers are all about that savory, caramelized crust, and Buttery Steakhouse amplifies that beautifully. Season the beef balls before you smash them, then hit the edges with a little more seasoning as they cook. The result is a deeply flavorful, steakhouse-style burger that pairs perfectly with American cheese and grilled onions.

Cowboy Butter might add too much herb flavor for a classic burger, but if you're going for something more gourmet—brioche buns, arugula, garlic aioli—it could work.

Scenario 5: Roasted Vegetables

Cowboy Butter is the clear winner for vegetables. Toss Brussels sprouts, asparagus, or broccoli with olive oil and Cowboy Butter before roasting, and you'll get caramelized, garlicky, herb-crusted vegetables that could pass for a side dish at a high-end bistro.

Buttery Steakhouse is fine on potatoes and corn, but it doesn't bring enough brightness or complexity for green vegetables.

Can You Use Them Together?

Absolutely. Some grill masters layer Buttery Steakhouse as a base seasoning for rich, savory depth, then finish with a light sprinkle of Cowboy Butter right before serving to add brightness and herbal complexity. This works especially well on thick steaks or bone-in ribeyes where you want maximum flavor.

You can also use them in different parts of the same meal—Buttery Steakhouse on the steak, Cowboy Butter on the roasted vegetables or garlic bread. They complement each other beautifully without stepping on each other's toes.

Price and Value: What You're Paying For

Both seasonings are priced in the same range, typically between $8 and $12 depending on where you buy them. Cowboy Butter comes in an 11.5-ounce bottle, while Buttery Steakhouse is 9.5 ounces. The slight size difference reflects ingredient costs—organic certification and specialty herbs cost more.

Both offer excellent value. A little goes a long way, especially on steak and chicken, so a single bottle will last through many meals. Given how much flavor they add with zero prep work, they're both worth the investment for anyone who cooks regularly.

The Verdict: Do You Need Both?

If you cook a variety of proteins and styles, yes—both seasonings earn their place in your cabinet. They're different enough that you won't feel redundant owning both. Cowboy Butter handles your bright, bold, herbaceous needs, while Buttery Steakhouse covers your classic, rich, savory cravings.

But if you're building your seasoning collection one bottle at a time, start with the one that matches your cooking style. Grill a lot of chicken, seafood, and veggies? Cowboy Butter. Cook mostly beef and pork? Buttery Steakhouse.

Either way, you're getting a high-quality, chef-developed seasoning that delivers serious flavor with zero effort. That's the magic of Kinder's—it makes you look like a better cook than you are, and it does it consistently.

Other Kinder's Seasonings Worth Considering

If you love the buttery approach but want to explore other flavor directions, Kinder's has a deep catalog of butter-forward and garlic-heavy seasonings worth checking out. Woodfired Garlic Seasoning delivers intense roasted garlic flavor with a smoky edge—perfect for steaks, chicken, and anything you want to taste like it came off a live-fire grill.

And if you're building a versatile everyday seasoning rotation, consider adding a couple of complementary blends to round out your arsenal. The right mix of bold and balanced seasonings means you're always ready to make dinner interesting.

Final Thoughts: Trust Your Taste

Cowboy Butter and Buttery Steakhouse are both excellent seasonings that deliver on their promises. The choice comes down to whether you want bold, herbaceous, slightly spicy flavor or classic, rich, steakhouse indulgence. Neither is better—they're just different tools for different jobs.

The good news? You can't go wrong with either one. Both will make your weeknight dinners taste better, your steaks taste like they came from a restaurant, and your grilling game look effortless. So grab one, grab both, and get cooking. Your taste buds will thank you.

Ready to decide? Explore the full lineup of Kinder's Cowboy Butter and Buttery Steakhouse seasonings and stock your spice cabinet with the flavors that match the way you cook.