What is cowboy butter?

Cowboy butter is best described as a compound butter that includes a mix of various flavorings. It typically combines softened butter with ingredients such as garlic, herbs, spices, and sometimes hot sauce or other seasonings to create a rich, flavorful spread. This makes it versatile as a condiment for meat, vegetables, or bread, enhancing the dish's overall taste profile.

The other choices don’t capture the essence of cowboy butter. Plain butter lacks the complexity and additional flavors that characterize cowboy butter. While butter with high salt content might be a type of compound butter, it does not specifically capture the diverse flavor combination found in cowboy butter. Likewise, butter used exclusively for grilling doesn’t encompass the broader usage of cowboy butter, which can be enjoyed in various culinary contexts and not limited to grilling scenarios.