Garlic-Sage Steak Topping

By
Derrick Riches
Derrick Riches
Derrick Riches
Derrick Riches is a grilling and barbecue expert. He has written two cookbooks.
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Updated on 01/4/22
Steak with herb butter

StockNinja / Getty Images 

Prep: 10 mins
Cook: 0 mins
Chill: 2 hrs
Total: 2 hrs 10 mins
Servings: 8 servings

Earthy herbs such as rosemary and thyme go with steak, mushrooms, and of course, potatoes. But what could complement a mouthwatering steak more than the sweet and savory flavor of sage? This garlic-sage topper adds that extra punch to any steak dinner. Whether a casual cookout or dinner party, this aromatic sauce will wow your guests.

Make sure the butter is at room temperature so it's easier to combine the ingredients together. You can even use a stand mixer or hand mixer to bring the butter, salt, sage, and garlic together.

While this recipe is intended for steak, you may see pretty quickly how well it can adapt to other proteins such as pork chops and chicken breasts. You can even mix it in with ground beef for an out-of-this-world grilled burger taste. It also works well with vegetables, too. Try tossing sautéed mushrooms with this mix of flavors, or mixing it in with mashed potatoes, or topping a baked potato with it.

Ingredients

  • 1 cup unsalted butter

  • 1/4 cup sage leaves, finely chopped

  • 4 cloves garlic, minced

  • 1/2 teaspoon sea salt

Steps to Make It

  1. Combine all ingredients in a bowl. Using a hand mixer or a wooden spoon, combine the ingredients until they are evenly incorporated.

  2. Cover with plastic wrap and place bowl in refrigerator for 1 to 2 hours, or until butter has firmed up.

  3. To serve, dollop a heaping spoonful onto cooked steak.

Variations

Combining butter with herbs or other ingredients for flavor creates what's called a compound butter. If you like steak with sage, you can also use rosemary or even blue cheese. Those are other popular flavors to use with steak.

Tip

This is one of those situations in which it's worth splurging on a really nice cultured or imported unsalted butter, because the flavor of the butter is so prominent in this preparation. Look for a European butter or one that is made from milk from grassfed cows, such as Irish butter. The flavor will be so much richer.

Why do chefs put butter on steak?

Putting butter on steak is a trick that chefs often employ right before serving steak. It adds extra flavor and richness. If you're working with a grilled steak, it can also add some softness to a steak's charred exterior.

How to Store and Keep Garlic-Sage Steak Topping

  • This butter will keep in the fridge for a couple of weeks as long as it's well wrapped. You can use plastic wrap, or keep it in an airtight container.
  • For longer storage, wrap the butter in plastic wrap and then waxed paper, taking care to seal it tightly. You can use the butter directly from frozen if need be. It should keep for at least three months.
Nutrition Facts (per serving)
206 Calories
23g Fat
1g Carbs
0g Protein
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Nutrition Facts
Servings: 8
Amount per serving
Calories 206
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 23g 30%
Saturated Fat 14g 72%
Cholesterol 61mg 20%
Sodium 149mg 6%
Total Carbohydrate 1g 0%
Dietary Fiber 0g 0%
Total Sugars 0g
Protein 0g
Vitamin C 1mg 3%
Calcium 11mg 1%
Iron 0mg 0%
Potassium 15mg 0%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
(Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate.)