Wanna know how to make the best coffee BBQ rub? Or are you simply curious if this is actually a thing?
Well, either way, this post has your back.
Let’s talk about the best coffee rub recipe you’ll ever need and the science behind why rubbing meat cuts with coffee works in the first place!
Why Does Coffee Rub Work?
I’m used to getting lots of surprised looks when I say I sometimes add coffee to my dry rub recipes.
People often guess I do so because I’m a coffee maniac who usually downs 3 cups of coffee daily, but that’s not the reason.
You see, coffee actually has rich, bold qualities that make it ideal for enhancing meat flavors, or more specifically, flavors of beef cuts.
Here are the main qualities that make coffee a great dry rub ingredient for beef:
Earthy Flavor: Adding coffee to dry rubs doesn’t actually make the meat taste like coffee. Instead, it adds a deep, earthy flavor that beautifully complements the innate richness of beef.
Acidity: The coffee’s acidity helps tenderize the meat, which is often a sought-after quality in barbeque cooking.
Texture: Together with brown sugar, coffee helps create a desirable crust (bark) on the beef, enhancing both the flavor and texture of the meat.
Versatile: Coffee goes well with pretty much any common BBQ rub spices, and herbs!
Color: Since coffee is naturally dark, it gives the meat a rich, dark color on the crust when cooked, making your barbecue look even more appetizing.
Instant Coffee VS Ground Coffee
Although instant coffee can work in a pinch, I always prefer using freshly ground coffee in my coffee BBQ rub.
The gritty texture of the coffee grounds helps create a delicious crust on the meat. Plus, as we’ll discuss in the next section, each type of coffee roast can influence the texture and flavor of your barbecue uniquely.
How Different Coffee Roast Influences Your BBQ Rub
Pretty much any coffee roast will give excellent depth and richness to your coffee BBQ rub.
But if you want more control over the acidity and flavor of your dish, use this guide to select the right roast for your preferred BBQ results!
Light Roast
Light roast coffee has the highest level of acidity, making it best for dishes where you want to achieve very tender meat. A dry rub that uses light roast coffee also delivers a very citrus-like flavor, which often reminds me of other dry rubs that use zests of lemon and lime.
Medium Roast
Medium roast is my go-to type of roast for both my morning coffee and steak rubs. Compared to light roasts, it has relatively lower acidity but offers richer earthy flavors.
I recommend using this roast for your dry rub if you’re planning to cook grilled meat, as its qualities perfectly complement smoky dishes!
Dark Roast
If you really want to achieve a deep and earthy flavor profile in your meat, opt for dark roast coffee grounds. I find this to be the best choice if you prefer your steak to have a rich, dark, and caramelized crust.
Easy Homemade Coffee BBQ Rub
Skip the store-bought seasoning blends and add a unique touch to your grilling game with this homemade coffee BBQ rub made with freshly ground coffee and common household spices!
Ingredients
- ¼ cup of coarse ground coffee
- 1 tablespoon of dark brown sugar
- 2 tablespoons of garlic powder
- 2 tablespoons of onion powder
- 2 tablespoons of smoked paprika
- 1 tablespoon of ground cumin
- 1 tablespoon of crushed coriander (optional)
- 1 tablespoon of kosher salt
- 1 tablespoon of black pepper
- 1 teaspoon of chili powder
- ½ teaspoon of cayenne pepper (adjust to taste)
Instructions
- In a bowl, combine all the ingredients and mix thoroughly using a fork. Break up any clumps, especially those of ground coffee and dark brown sugar, if necessary.
- Use this rub immediately, or store it in an airtight container away from direct sunlight for future use. Apply this rub evenly on the meat at least one hour before cooking for the best results. This rub can last up to a month, but I usually use it up before then!
Notes
Image credit to ©showmetheyummy.
Featured image credit to ©chefworthingtonmary.
