This homemade coffee rub is the ultimate rub when you want to bring a savory and slightly spicy flavor to your meat. The ingredient that ties this rub all together is the earthy flavor of the coffee, making it a perfect rub for beef.
Coffee Dry Rub
Coffee rub is a wonderfully versatile rub. It’s the perfect rub for beef, but it can be used on other meat as well. The coffee really compliments the richness of the beef, and it stands up to both low and slow, as well as hot and fast cooking.
So does coffee rub taste like coffee? Not really. Think of it as a great rub with deep earthiness that is slightly bitter, but not overwhelming. This will be one of those rubs that quickly becomes a go-to when you need that perfect beef seasoning.
This rub mixes 9 amazing spices and seasonings to give you a fantastic coffee dry rub. Once mixed, you can store your coffee rub in an air tight glass container (I like these Glass Spice Bottles), and they will last at least a month.
Coffee Brisket Rub
Brisket requires a low and slow cook, and this rub is the ideal seasoning blend to compliment the rich smokiness of the brisket.
My favorite method for cooking brisket is an old school Texas style method with lots of wood smoke, a butcher paper wrap, and a long rest before slicing and serving. This process results in melt in your mouth smoked brisket. Honestly, my Texas Style Smoked Beef Brisket is a classic.
I normally cook this style with a simple coarse salt and coarse black pepper rub, but when you’re looking to mix things up, this rub makes the perfect coffee brisket rub.
So go ahead. Take a chance on a new brisket adventure.
Coffee Rubbed Steak
Coffee rub isn’t just delicious on brisket. It also works well on a hot and fast application when cooking steak. There is no sugar in the rub, so you don’t run the risk of burning or over-caramelization.
Another reason this rub works well for high heat cooking is because is uses instant coffee granules opposed to coffee grinds from the whole bean. Coffee grinds burn quickly and become quite bitter, so by using instant coffee, it seasons the meat without having to worry about the granules overcooking on the grill. Try your own coffee rubbed steak on this Reverse Seared Tomahawk Steak or my Smoky Joe Coffee Rubbed Tri Tip.
Looking For More Rubs?
Check out these other amazing rubs for steak, chicken, and more!
The Best Dry Rub for Ribs
Cocoa Chipotle Spice Rub
Homemade Steak Rub Recipe
Don’t have time to make your own rubs and seasonings? Hey Grill Hey has you covered! Head on over to Patio Provisions to check out our Chicken, Beef, and Sweet Rub seasonings.
Coffee Rub Recipe
Follow the recipe and I’ll teach you the simple steps to making your own homemade rub. You can find more of my smoking and grilling recipes and videos on YouTube, Instagram, or our Facebook Page. Follow along and let’s make awesome food together!
Homemade Coffee Rub Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons coarse salt
- 2 tablespoons instant coffee
- 2 tablespoons garlic powder
- 2 tablespoons smoked paprika
- 1 tablespoon pepper
- 1 tablespoon crushed coriander
- 1 tablespoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- 1/2 teaspoon cayenne
Instructions
- Mix all ingredients in a bowl. Use a fork to crush any clumps of seasonings. Store in an airtight container for up to a month.
Could you use fresh ground coffee beans instead of instant coffee? Or would instant espresso work?
No. The problem with coffee grounds is that they won’t dissolve like instant coffee does.
Can you use the rubs for in the oven as well ? Or only bbq works ?
You absolutely can!
I disagree that ground coffee beans can’t be used. The big problem with ground coffee is that the most common grinds (such as used for drip coffee) are objectionable because they are much too coarse for this use. Even an espresso grind is “pushing it” in terms of coarseness. BUT, if you can find a dark roast, Turkish grind of coffee…which is an extremely fine powder…it does work well and doesn’t leave a bunch of coffee grounds in your mouth or stuck in your teeth. Similarly, if you can find “baking coffee”, this is also an extremely fine grind that could be used as a rub component with good results.
Coffee grounds just don’t dissolve like instant coffee does. No matter how fine you grind it you’ll still end up with grounds in your mouth, they may just not be as noticeable or add as much flavor.
This is a really good rub, reverse seared a rib of beef using it last night and it was fantastic, will be using this again.
Thanks
Used the coffee rub and coffee bbq sauce for a brisket last weekend. The family loved it and took left over (what little there was) to work the following day and I didn’t have enough left for a sandwich as my coworkers devoured it “sampling” it.
Due to food allergies, I removed the chili powder and replaced the cayenne with mace. Then I used it as a rub on chicken thighs, under the skin and I don’t think I’ve ever tasted chicken quite so good before. We prepared it in an air fryer. I don’t normally have one at my disposal, so will find other ways to prepare. But I would definitely recommend.
Big fan! Can you suggest a brand or type of instant coffee to use?
Thank you and please keep doing what you do!
Any brand of instant coffee should be fine! Thank you!
Any suggestions to make this a little sweeter, like adding brown sugar or molasses?
side note…..from someone just getting into grilling/smoking, you’re awesome!
Adding some brown sugar would work great!
I use Kona Coffee it’s the best love the taste excellent