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    Homepage » Recipes

    4-Ingredient Coffee Rub (No Salt Added)

    Published: Mar 22, 2022 This post may contain affiliate links · This blog generates income via ads · Leave a Comment

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    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

    This homemade coffee rub is an easy steak seasoning recipe that offers a savory, earthy and slightly charred taste to your steak. It's a versatile rub that you can use to flavor other meats as well. 

    Homemade Coffee Rub

    If you are looking to elevate the flavor of your steak, try this homemade coffee rub recipe. This coffee rub is made of the best herbs and spices that will add richness and deliciousness to your meat.

    You can use this coffee rub to season any meat from brisket, tri-tip, steak, chicken, lamb, pork, and more.

    homemade coffee rub recipe.

    Jump to:
    • Homemade Coffee Rub
    • The Ingredients for Coffee Rub
    • What Does Coffee Do to a Steak?
    • How to Apply Coffee Rub to Tender Cuts of Steak
    • How to Apply Coffee Rub to Tougher Cuts of Meat
    • How to Store Your Homemade Dry Rub
    • 📖 Recipe

    The Ingredients for Coffee Rub

    This homemade coffee rub is salt-free. It gives you a lot more freedom and control to adjust the sodium content. 

    To make your own coffee dry rub, you will need to combine and mix the following ingredients well. 

    Ground dark-roast coffee. You can use any finely ground dark-roast coffee or instant coffee that you like.

    Ancho Chile Powder. It's basically the ground version of ancho chili pepper (ripened and dried poblano). It adds a nice smokey note to recipes with a mild heat.

    Dark Brown Sugar 

    Paprika. In this recipe, I used smoked paprika to add a subtle smokiness to the meat. Regular paprika or sweet paprika will work as well.

    coffee rub ingredients.

    What Does Coffee Do to a Steak?

    Coffee is a wonderful ingredient that acts as a tenderizer. As a result, you'll have the perfect steak finish that is so moist and juicy on the inside, with a beautiful crust on the outside.

    How to Apply Coffee Rub to Tender Cuts of Steak

    Here's how to apply coffee rub to tender cuts of steaks, such as ribeye, top sirloin steak, filet mignon, and strip steak). These tender cuts don't need to be marinated or tenderized. 

    • Remove the steak from the refrigerator.
    • Pat the steak dry with paper towels.
    • Season the steak generously with kosher salt and black pepper.
    • Rub and coat the steak well on both sides.  Pat the dry rub gently with your fingers so it adheres.
    • Let the steaks stand at room temperature for 30 minutes before cooking.
    How to Apply Coffee Rub to Tender Cuts of Steak

    How to Apply Coffee Rub to Tougher Cuts of Meat

    Some cuts of meat such as tri-tip benefit from being long-marinated. As an example, I used this rub to season my tri-tip roast and marinated it for 12 hours before I roasted it in the oven. 

    Here's how to apply coffee rub to tougher cuts of meat, such as tri-tip, skirt steak, hanger steak, flank steak, and chuck.

    • Pat the meat dry with paper towels.
    • Season the meat generously with kosher salt and black pepper.
    • Rub and coat the meat well on both sides.  Pat the dry rub gently with your fingers so it adheres.
    • Put the seasoned meat on top of the wire rack over a baking sheet, cover, refrigerate, and marinate from 2 - 18 hours depending on the type of beef cuts.
    • Remove from refrigerator at least 40 minutes before cooking.
    CutsMarinating Time
    Tri-Tip Roast4 - 24 hours
    Tri-Tip Steak, Sirloin Steak2 - 4 hours
    Round Steak 4 - 6 hours
    Brisket, trimmed10 - 12 hours
    Brisket, untrimmed16 - 18 hours
    Chuck Steak, Top Blade Steak4 - 6 hours
    How to Store Your Homemade Coffee Rub

    How to Store Your Homemade Dry Rub

    To extend the lifespan of your homemade coffee rub, store the rub in a vacuum-saleable bag and put it in the freezer for up to 2 years. Alternatively, you can store the rub for up to 6 months by putting the leftover rub in an airtight container and placing it in a cool dark place.

    Check Out More Seasoning Recipes

    • Homemade Blackening Seasoning
    • Cajun Seasoning Recipe (No Salt Added)

    📖 Recipe

    homemade coffee rub recipe.
    5 from 1 vote

    Homemade Coffee Rub

    Rika
    This homemade coffee rub is made of the best herbs and spices that will add richness and deliciousness to your meat.
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 5 mins
    Course seasoning
    Cuisine American
    Servings 2 (enough for 2 large steaks or a 4-pound roast)
    Calories 39 kcal

    Ingredients
     

    • 1 tablespoon ground dark-roast coffee 
    • 1 tablespoon dark brown sugar
    • 1 tablespoon ancho chili powder
    • ½ tablespoon smoked paprika

    Instructions
     

    • In a small mixing bowl, combine all of the ingredients.
    • Transfer the coffee rub to an airtight container or a vacuum-saleable bag. Properly stored, it can last up to two years in the freezer or up to 6 months in in a cool dark place.

    Notes

    Variations. You can modify the rub by adding your favorite spices. Ground cumin and/or coriander would make a great addition to this rub. 
    How to Apply Coffee Rub to Tender Cuts of Steak
    Here's how to apply coffee rub to tender cuts of steaks, such as ribeye, top sirloin steak, filet mignon, and strip steak). These tender cuts don't need to be marinated or tenderized. 
    • Remove the steak from the refrigerator.
    • Pat the steak dry with paper towels.
    • Season the steak generously with kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper. The recommendation is about ¾ - 1 teaspoon of salt per pound of meat.  
    • Rub and coat the steak well on both sides (about 2 tablespoons of rub per 2 - 2½ pounds of meat).  Pat the dry rub gently with your fingers so it adheres then shake off any excess rub.
    • Let the steaks stand at room temperature for 30 minutes before cooking.
    How to Apply Coffee Rub to Tougher Cuts of Meat
    Here's how to apply coffee rub to tougher cuts of meat, such as tri-tip, skirt steak, hanger steak, flank steak, and chuck.
    • Pat the meat dry with paper towels.
    • Season the meat generously with kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper. The recommendation is about ¾ - 1 teaspoon of salt per pound of meat.  
    • Rub and coat the meat well on both sides  (about 2 tablespoons of rub per 2 - 2½ pounds of meat). Pat the dry rub gently with your fingers so it adheres then shake off any excess rub.
    • Put the seasoned meat on top of the wire rack over a baking sheet, cover, refrigerate, and marinate from 2 to 18 hours depending on the type of beef cuts.
    • Remove from refrigerator at least 40 minutes before cooking.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 39kcalCarbohydrates: 9gProtein: 1gFat: 1gSaturated Fat: 1gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 1gSodium: 69mgPotassium: 130mgFiber: 2gSugar: 6gVitamin A: 2048IUVitamin C: 1mgCalcium: 22mgIron: 1mg
    Keyword coffee dry rub, coffee rub, homemade coffee rub, how to make coffee rub for a steak
    Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

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