We love to grill and my coffee spice rub will takes our steaks to the next level. This is one of the first grill recipes we make as soon as the spring weather starts to warm up. Just a few simple ingredients along with ground coffee make an incredible smoky charred crust on our favorite steaks. The coffee enhances the flavor of the steak while tenderizing it too. This Coffee Rub Steak recipe is amazing!
Recipe review
A quick look at this recipe
- Recipe Name: Coffee Rubbed Steaks
- Ready In: 5 minutes prep, 12 minutes cook time
- Serves: 2
- Calories: 507 per serving
- Main Ingredients: Ground coffee, light brown sugar, spices, steaks
- Difficulty: Easy
I'm a big fan of making your own homemade rubs. They're super simple to mix up. And most of the ingredients are already in my spice cabinet.
With Father's Day right around the corner, I'll be grilling out. This coffee rubbed steak recipe is on the menu along with Stuffed Portobella Mushrooms and a Blueberry and Spinach Salad. It's absolutely the best steak!
The coffee in the dry rub creates an amazing crust on the grilled and juicy steaks. The combination of coffee and brown sugar crystallizes while the steak cooks. It creates a crust to rival the best steak restaurants.
You won't actually taste the coffee flavor. It adds more of an earthy taste to the steak.
Jump to:
Why you'll love this steak dry rub recipe
- Steakhouse quality. Get that steakhouse flavor at home with this coffee rub steak recipe. The simple coffee rub ingredients combine to tenderize the steak, form a delicious crust while it cooks and seal the juices.
- Simple ingredients. The dry rub is made with ingredients in a well stocked spice cabinet. There's no need to run out and buy seldom used spices.
- Easy recipe. With just a few steps, this coffee-rubbed steak recipe is so straightforward to make.
Ingredients and substitutions
- Coffee grounds ~ Use regular or decaf medium roast ground coffee for this steak recipe. Skip instant coffee granules, espresso or flavored coffees.
- Light brown sugar ~ Dark brown sugar is an alternative.
- Chili powder ~ Use chipotle chili powder to add a smoky taste.
- Fresh ground black pepper ~ Use a pepper mill to freshly grind peppercorns. In a pinch use already ground pepper.
- Kosher salt ~ The large grains cling to the steak.
- Garlic powder
- Dried oregano
- New York strip steaks ~ 1 ½ inch steaks are ideal for grilling. Other options are ribeye steak, flank steak, T-bone steak, flat iron steak and skirt steak. All are delicious with the coffee spice rub.
Scroll to the complete recipe for full quantities of the ingredients.
How to make steaks with a coffee rub
Just a few simple steps are needed to make this charred and delicious coffee rubbed steak recipe.
- Step 1: In a small bowl, combine ground coffee, light brown sugar, chili powder, fresh ground black pepper, kosher salt, garlic powder and dried oregano.
- Step 2: Generously coat the steaks with the coffee rub. Lightly cover and let sit at room temperature for 30 minutes. Alternately over the steaks and refrigerate for 1 to 4 hours.
- Step 3: Start the grill. When it's hot, add the steaks. Grill for about 5 to 6 minutes per side or for a total time of 10 to 12 minutes. The perfect medium-rare steak should have a nice crust. The internal temperature on a instant read digital thermometer should be about 130 degrees F.
- Step 4: Remove the steaks to a cutting board. Tent loosely with foil. Let the steak rest for 5 minutes before slicing it against the grain. Pour any accumulated steak juices over the sliced meat. Season with more kosher salt and black pepper.
Amy's tips for coffee rub steak
- Use regular or decaffeinated ground coffee in the rub recipe. Skip flavored, instant or espresso coffees for this recipe.
- Store any extra rub in an airtight container in a cool, dry place for future use. It will stay fresh up to 3 months.
- Let the coffee spice rub work its magic on the steaks. Having the seasoned steaks sit allows the coffee to tenderize the steak and lock in the flavor.
- If the steaks are refrigerated, remove them from the refrigerator 30 minutes before cooking. You want the steaks to come to room temperature so they cook evenly.
What to serve with the coffee-rubbed steaks
Steak and potatoes is a winning combination. Serve the coffee-crusted steak with roasted potatoes or stuffed potatoes with cheddar.
Some tasty veggies to serve include roasted carrots and cauliflower, sauteed sweet corn salad (my favorite!) or apple and fennel slaw with blue cheese.
Frequently asked questions
Use a digital thermometer to instantly check the temperature of the steak. Follow these temperatures to cook a 1 ½ inch thick strip steak to your desired doneness. Rare steak ~ 120 degrees F. For medium rare steak ~ 130 degrees F. Medium steak ~ 140 degrees F. Medium well steak ~ 150 degrees F. Well done steak ~ 160 degrees F.
For the most juicy, tender and easy to chew steak, use a sharp chef's knife and cut against the grain of the meat. Look at the steak and find the which way the muscle fibers are running. Place your knife perpendicular (not parallel) to the fibers and slice. You will be slicing through the muscle fibers.
Put the pan over high heat. Add a little oil. Place the steak in the hot pan and cook for 5 to 6 minutes per side for a medium rare 1 ½ inch thick strip steak. Follow the temperatures above rare, medium, medium well, and well done steaks.
One more thing
Did you try this recipe?
Let me know by leaving a comment and a star rating below. Share it on Pinterest, Instagram and Facebook.
Thanks ~ Amy
Recipe
Coffee Rub Steak
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon ground coffee
- 1 tablespoon light brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- 1 teaspoon ground black pepper
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon dried oregano
- 2 New York strip steaks 1 ½ inches thick, 8 ounces each
Instructions
- In a small bowl, combine the ground coffee, light brown sugar, chili powder, black pepper, kosher salt, garlic powder and dried oregano.
- Place the steaks on a work surface. Generously coat the steaks with the coffee spice rub.
- Lightly cover the steaks and sit at room temperature for up to 30 minutes. Alternately, refrigerate the steaks for up to 4 hours. Bring to room temperature before cooking.
- Heat a grill to high. Grill the steaks for 5 to 6 minutes per side for medium rare. The internal temperature should be 130 degrees F.
- Remove the steaks from the grill and place on a cutting board. Tent with foil. Let the steaks rest for 5 minutes.
- Slice the steaks against the grain. Pour any accumulated juices over the steak and season with kosher salt and black pepper.
- Serve.
Notes
Nutrition
Lisa Govel says
Delicious!
Amy Casey says
Yea! This is one of my favorite steak rubs.
KT says
Wow! This spice rub really pops!
Amy Casey says
That's awesome KT! I'm so glad you like my spice rub recipe 🙂
Denise says
I just found your website today in the Recipes look amazing!
I have not made this Steak seasoning yet, but how fine should the coffee grounds be? I grind my own coffee every morning.
I look forward to your reply. Thank you kindly, Denise.
Amy Casey says
Thanks Denise! Skip the super fine or espresso grind for this rub. It can stick too much to the steak. And a coarse grind doesn't stick enough. I use a medium ground coffee. I like the way it sticks to the steak and the bold flavor it adds.
Holly says
These steaks were amazing! They were juicy with a crusty exterior. Just the way I like them. I’ve never tried coffee in a run before, but it turned out delicious. Thanks for the great recipe
Amy Casey says
I love to hear that Holly! I'm so glad you enjoyed my recipe. After experimenting with coffee rubs, this is my favorite.