Coffee Rubbed Steak Recipe ~ The Best!

Name: Coffee Rubbed Steak Recipe ~ The Best!
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 12 min
Total time: 17 min
Cuisine: American
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; 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano; 2 New York strip steaks, 1 1/2 inches thick, 8 ounces each

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This coffee spice rub will take your steak to the next level. Just a few simple ingredients along with ground coffee make an incredible smoky charred crust on your favorite steak. The coffee enhances the flavor of the steak while tenderizing it too. This coffee rubbed steak recipe is amazing!

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. It makes 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.

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.

New York strip steaks, kosher salt, coffee grounds, pepper, garlic powder.

the 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 1/2 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.

the recipe details

Just a few simple steps are needed to make this charred and delicious coffee rubbed steak recipe.

In a small bowl, combine ground coffee, light brown sugar, chili powder, fresh ground black pepper, kosher salt, garlic powder and dried oregano.

coffee rubbed steak seasoning in a bowl.

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.

If refrigerated, remove the steaks from the refrigerator 30 minutes before cooking. You want the steaks to come to room temperature.

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.

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.

tips and suggestions

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.

what to serve with the coffee rubbed steak recipe ?

Steak and potatoes is a winning combination. Serve the coffee-crusted steak with roasted potatoes. Try these creamy mashed potato stuffed portobello mushrooms. Or you can't go wrong with cheddar stuffed potatoes. They're a favorite of my personal chef clients. Bacon stuffed sweet potatoes are a delicious side too.

Some tasty veggies to serve include butter roasted carrots and cauliflower, sauteed sweet corn salad (my favorite!), apple and fennel slaw with blue cheese or Brussels sprouts with honey mustard.

whole and sliced coffee rubbed steak recipe.

FAQs ~ for coffee rubbed steak recipe?

What temperature should you cook steak until?

Use a digital thermometer to instantly check the temperature of the steak. Follow these temperatures to cook a 1 1/2 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.

How do you slice a steak so it's tender?

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.

How do you cook a steak in a cast iron skillet or large sauté pan?

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 1/2 inch thick strip steak. Follow the temperatures above rare, medium, medium well, and well done steaks.

more grilling recipes to try

Grilled Chicken with Sauteed Bruschetta and Goat Cheese

A Delicious Grilled Whole Turkey

Balsamic Grilled Chicken Sandwiches with Fresh Mozzarella

Grilled Pork Tenderloin with Berry Bacon Sauce

Grilled Shrimp Caesar Salad

just one more thing

Did you make this coffee rubbed steak recipe? I’d love hearing from you if you did! Be sure to leave a comment. Or give this recipe a rating. I do my best to reply to all your comments. And snap a photo to post to Instagram. I’ll add the photos to my Insta stories. I love seeing all your creations.

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