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Thai Chili Butter for Pan-Seared Steaks

By America's Test Kitchen

Published on August 22, 2007

Time

25 minutes

Yield

Serves 4 (Makes enough for 4 steaks)

Thai Chili Butter for Pan-Seared Steaks

Ingredients

4 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened1 small clove garlic, minced or pressed through a garlic press (about ½ teaspoon)1 ½ teaspoons thinly sliced scallion, green parts only (from 1 scallion)1 tablespoon chopped fresh cilantro leaves 2 teaspoons Asian chili-garlic sauce (preferably Thai)½ teaspoon red curry paste (preferably Thai)2 teaspoons fresh lime juice

Before You Begin

If red curry paste is unavailable, increase the chili-garlic sauce to 2 1/2 teaspoons.

Instructions

  1. Beat butter vigorously with spoon until soft and fluffy. Add garlic, scallion, cilantro, chili-garlic sauce, and red curry paste; beat to incorporate. Add lime juice a little at a time, beating vigorously between each addition until fully incorporated. Add salt to taste. Serve a dollop over each steak, giving it time to melt.
Thai Chili Butter for Pan-Seared Steaks

Thai Chili Butter for Pan-Seared Steaks

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By America's Test Kitchen
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Time

25 minutes

Yield

Serves 4 (Makes enough for 4 steaks)

Ingredients

4 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
1 small clove garlic, minced or pressed through a garlic press (about ½ teaspoon)
1 ½ teaspoons thinly sliced scallion, green parts only (from 1 scallion)
1 tablespoon chopped fresh cilantro leaves
2 teaspoons Asian chili-garlic sauce (preferably Thai)
½ teaspoon red curry paste (preferably Thai)
2 teaspoons fresh lime juice

Ingredients

4 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
1 small clove garlic, minced or pressed through a garlic press (about ½ teaspoon)
1 ½ teaspoons thinly sliced scallion, green parts only (from 1 scallion)
1 tablespoon chopped fresh cilantro leaves
2 teaspoons Asian chili-garlic sauce (preferably Thai)
½ teaspoon red curry paste (preferably Thai)
2 teaspoons fresh lime juice

Ingredients

4 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
1 small clove garlic, minced or pressed through a garlic press (about ½ teaspoon)
1 ½ teaspoons thinly sliced scallion, green parts only (from 1 scallion)
1 tablespoon chopped fresh cilantro leaves
2 teaspoons Asian chili-garlic sauce (preferably Thai)
½ teaspoon red curry paste (preferably Thai)
2 teaspoons fresh lime juice

Why This Recipe Works

Compound butters are an excellent way to beef up flavor. Our Thai chili butter balances complex heat from chili-garlic sauce and red curry paste with herby cilantro and scallion, pungent garlic, and tart lime juice to create the perfect topping for pan-seared steaks.

Before You Begin

If red curry paste is unavailable, increase the chili-garlic sauce to 2 1/2 teaspoons.

Instructions

  1. Beat butter vigorously with spoon until soft and fluffy. Add garlic, scallion, cilantro, chili-garlic sauce, and red curry paste; beat to incorporate. Add lime juice a little at a time, beating vigorously between each addition until fully incorporated. Add salt to taste. Serve a dollop over each steak, giving it time to melt.

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