Coffee Rubbed Steak Recipe (2024)

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By Shawn Williams

5 from 1 vote

Jan 04, 2023

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Coffee-rubbed steak is out of this world! My coffee rub is very simple. Ground coffee, garlic powder, chili powder, and brown sugar. The spices add flavor and the tiniest bit of heat while the brown sugar balances out some of the bitterness. The result is a flavorful steak with unbeatable crust!

Coffee Rubbed Steak Recipe (2)

Table of Contents

  • Why This Recipe Works
  • Ingredients
  • How to Make Coffee Rubbed Steak
  • Temperature For Steak
  • Always Let Steaks Rest
  • Frequently Asked Questions
  • What to Serve With Steak
  • More Steak Recipes
  • Coffee Rubbed Steak Recipe

Why This Recipe Works

An interesting phenomenon happens when you rub a high-quality cut of beef with spices, brown sugar, and ground coffee. The combination of coffee and pan-searing develops an amazing and flavorful crust around your steak that is almost unattainable by other means. I won’t go as far as calling the crust bark, but it does take on some of the similar smokey charred characteristics as smoked meat.

The pan-searing and oven-finishing steak method renders perfectly cooked steak that is juicy and pink on the inside with an amazing crispy exterior. The coffee rub takes this steak to the next level and works well with NY strips, pan-seared ribeye, filet mignon, and more.

You can also achieve the perfect texture when you learn to reverse sear your steak.

Ingredients

  • NY strip steak:look for steaks that are around 1.5 inches thick for best timing with the instructions below. This recipe works with virtually any cut of beef!
  • Salt and pepper:for seasoning and optional dry brining.
  • Vegetable or canola oil:these oils are best for searing because they have a higher smoke point than butter or olive oil.
  • Garlic, butter, thyme, and rosemary:I add whole garlic, butter, thyme, and rosemary to the pan before placing the steaks in the oven. This enhances the pan drippings so you can spoon them over the filet just after cooking.
  • Ground coffee: there is no need to use expensive coffee—a basic light or medium roast blend that’s fresh and tastes good. Avoid any instant coffee or espresso.
  • Brown sugar, garlic powder, chili powder: these spices are optional but add delicious smokey flavor and subtle sweetness.

See the recipe card for full information on ingredients and quantities below.

How to Make Coffee Rubbed Steak

Step 1.

Preheat the oven to 415°F. Combine coffee rub ingredients in a small bowl. Mix until incorporated.

Quick tip

Always use decent quality non-flavored ground coffee so you aren’t introducing any weird flavors. Grounds should be fresh and not previously used or soaked. There is no need to use expensive coffee—a basic light or medium roast blend will work just fine. Avoid any instant coffee or espresso.

Step 2.

Pat steaks dry and season liberally with salt and pepper on all sides. Rub a light layer of coffee rub on all sides. A generous, yet thin and even coating all around is best. Let steaks rest for 30 minutes before cooking to come to room temp and soak up the seasoning.

Quick tip

Experiment with dry brining: place the seasoned, coffee-rubbed steaks in the fridge uncovered for at least one hour or preferably overnight. The drier steak surface will make for even better crusting.

Coffee Rubbed Steak Recipe (3)
Coffee Rubbed Steak Recipe (4)

Step 3.

Heat 2 tablespoons of oil in an oven-safecast iron skilleton high heat, allowing the skillet to become very hot. Twirl the pan as the oil heats to distribute. When the oil starts to smoke, place the steaks face down and sear undisturbed for 2 minutes. Flip and sear for an additional 2 minutes. This will give your steak a beautiful brown crust.

Step 4.

Add the thyme, rosemary, garlic, and butter to the skillet and immediately transfer to the oven. [WARNING]The skilletmay be hot, handle it with oven mitts. For rare, bake for 4 minutes. Medium rare, 5-6 minutes. Medium, 6-7 minutes. Medium well, 8-9 minutes.Remember, depending on the size of the steak, the more or less time it will take. This recipe is ideal for steaks roughly 1.5-2 inches thick.

Step 5.

Remove steaks from theskilletand set them on a plate, lightly cover with foil, and let sit for 5-10 minutes before serving. This is important to bring your steak to its final serving temperature.

Step 6.

Spoon the herb-infused pan drippings all over the steaks and serve.

Coffee Rubbed Steak Recipe (5)

Temperature For Steak

The timing/temperature chart below corresponds to the pan sear/oven method in this recipe. It’s a great guide assuming you choose a steak of similar size and thickness as listed in the recipe. I recommend a digital thermometer to verify your desired level of doneness.

DonenessTemperature RangeOven Duration
Very Rare/rare120°F to 125°F 4 minutes
Medium rare125°F to 130°F5-6 minutes
Medium135°F to 140°F6-7 minutes
Medium well145°F to 150°F8-9 minutes
Well done160°F and above10+ minutes

SMOKE WARNING: Cooking steaks at high temps in a skillet tends to get smokey. Open a kitchen window and turn on your kitchen’s overhead vent fan before you start to help with ventilation.

Always Let Steaks Rest

The final most important step, let the steak rest for 7-10 minutes before cutting into it. Anthony Bourdain once said the most important aspect of cooking any steak is the rest period after you take it off the heat. Letting a steak rest before cutting is critical for two reasons. One, it continues to cook the steak. Second, the juices evenly distribute back throughout the meat, yielding the perfect bite every time.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does coffee rubbed steak taste like?

Coffee grounds enhance the flavor of the steak along with additional spices. One of the biggest advantages of this technique is the crust-like texture that forms when searing with ground coffee.

How long should the coffee rub sit on the steak?

Add the coffee rub when you season your steak with salt and pepper. I like to season the steak and then let it climatize for 30-45 minutes before cooking.

What is the best cut of beef to use for coffee rubbed steak?

Coffee rubs work on a variety of grilling cuts. I like adding it to filet mignon, ribeyes, NY strips, and porterhouse.

What to Serve With Steak

You can never go wrong with steak and potatoes. Pair this porterhouse steak with my parmesan roasted fingerling potatoes or my garlic butter roasted red potatoes. If you’re looking for ultra-crispy potatoes, try my pesto smashed potatoes! If you prefer mashed potatoes, try my rich and delicious cream cheese mashed potatoes.

My favorite veggie of choice will always be my roasted bacon and parmesan Brussels sprouts. Make this recipe surf and turf with pan-seared lemon butter scallops or baked lobster tails.

More Steak Recipes

T-Bone Steak with Garlic and Rosemary Recipe

Steak with Chimichurri Sauce Recipe

Porterhouse Steak Recipe

Filet Mignon with Red Wine Sauce

Enjoy this recipe? If you made this recipe, please leave a ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ star rating in the recipe card below & areview in the comments!

5 from 1 vote

Coffee Rubbed Steak Recipe

By: Shawn Williams

Servings: 2

Prep: 30 minutes mins

Cook: 10 minutes mins

Total: 40 minutes mins

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Coffee Rubbed Steak Recipe (10)

Pan-seared steak with a simple coffee rub delivers a dreamy crust and juicy inside.

Ingredients

  • 2 boneless 12-14 ounce NY strips, roughly 1.5-2 inches thick
  • 2 tablespoons butter
  • 1 whole thyme sprig
  • 1 whole rosemary sprig
  • 1 whole garlic clove
  • Canola or vegetable oil
  • Salt and pepper, to taste

Coffee rub (enough for 2-3 steaks)

  • 2 tablespoons ground coffee, non-flavored light or medium roast
  • 1/2 teaspoon brown sugar
  • 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon chili powder

Instructions

  • Preheat the oven to 415°F. Combine coffee rub ingredients in a small bowl. Mix until incorporated.

  • Pat steaks dry and season liberally with salt and pepper on all sides. Rub a light layer of coffee rub on all sides. A generous, yet thin and even coating all around is best. Let steaks rest for 30 minutes prior to cooking to come to room temp and soak up the seasoning.

  • Heat 2 tablespoons of oil in an oven-safe cast iron skillet on high heat, allowing the skillet to become very hot. Twirl the pan as the oil heats to distribute. When the oil starts to smoke, place the steaks face down and sear undisturbed for 2 minutes. Flip and sear for an additional 2 minutes. This will give your steak a beautiful brown crust.

  • Add the thyme, rosemary, garlic, and butter to the skillet and immediately transfer to the oven. [WARNING]skilletmay be hot, handle it with oven mitts. For rare, bake for 4 minutes. Medium rare, 5-6 minutes. Medium, 6-7 minutes. Medium well, 8-9 minutes. Remember, depending on the size of the steak, the more or less time it will take. This recipe is ideal for steaks roughly 1.5-2 inches thick.

  • Remove steaks from theskilletand set them on a plate, lightly cover with foil, and let sit for 5-10 minutes before serving. This is important to bring your steak to its final serving temperature.

  • Spoon the herb-infused pan drippings all over the steaks and serve.

Notes

Always use decent quality non-flavored ground coffee so you aren’t introducing any weird flavors. Grounds should be fresh and not previously used or soaked. There is no need to use expensive coffee—a basic light or medium roast blend will work just fine. Avoid any instant coffee or espresso.

Cooking steaks at high temps in a skillet tends to get smokey. Open a kitchen window and turn on your kitchen’s overhead vent fan before you start to help with ventilation.

Temperatures for steak
Rare: 120 °F to 125 °F
Medium rare: 125 °F to 130 °F
Medium: 135 °F to 140 °F
Medium well: 145 °F to 150 °F
Well done: 160 °F and above

Nutrition

Serving: 12ouncesCalories: 448kcalCarbohydrates: 0.7gProtein: 78gFat: 15.8gSaturated Fat: 7.2gCholesterol: 203mgSodium: 1388mgSugar: 0.7g

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

Additional Info

Course: Dinner

Cuisine: American

Tried this recipe?Mention @kitchenswagger or tag #kitchenswagger!

About Shawn Williams

My name is Shawn, author behind Kitchen Swagger. I'm a food & drink enthusiast bringing you my own simple and delicious restaurant-inspired recipes.

Read More About Me

Coffee Rubbed Steak Recipe (2024)

FAQs

What does coffee do to steak? ›

Quite the contrary — coffee really brings out the flavor of the steak. And in addition to being used as a seasoning for steak, coffee can serve as a steak tenderizer and make the meat extra-moist.

How do you tenderize meat with coffee grounds? ›

Mix coffee grounds with salt, sugar and other spices to create a flavorful and tenderizing rub. Mix coffee grounds with salt, sugar and other spices to create a flavorful and tenderizing rub.

How long do you leave dry rub on steak? ›

Next spread the rub all over the cut of meat on all sides, using your hands to help it stick. If you did it right, the entire surface should be covered. Be sure to let the rub sit for 30 minutes or up to 1½ hours to allow the salt and spices to penetrate the meat before cooking.

Why does coffee tenderize meat? ›

The acidity levels of coffee replicate tannins in wine, which allow amplification of flavor. But it doesn't stop there. Coffee rub on steak can also act as a tenderizer, making meat softer and enhancing the moisture of the meat by creating a sealed crust of flavor.

Does coffee rubbed steak taste like coffee? ›

Coffee rubbed steak has a little bit of a charred taste, but much more subtle than a grilled steak. The taste will depend a lot on the other ingredients that you use in the rub. This coffee rub recipe uses chili, smoked paprika and cumin to bring in some delicious spices to the mix.

Does coffee make meat tender? ›

Coffee pairs particularly well with meats like pork, beef and fish to add an earthy flavour to the dish. As an added bonus to the flavour pairings, coffee can help to tenderise meat.

What is the secret ingredient to tenderize meat? ›

Whether hosting a holiday cookout, serving up some stir-fry or tackling game meats, baking soda is the go-to meat tenderizer to help make your steak, chicken or turkey silkier, juicier and yummier.

What is the fastest meat tenderizer? ›

Tenderizing with a baking soda solution is faster than using a saltwater brine. Meat only has to sit in a baking soda solution for 15 to 20 minutes, but a brine solution can take at least 30 minutes to start working.

What is the best homemade meat tenderizer? ›

News & Recipes
  • 1) Tea. Tea contains tannins, which are a natural tenderiser. ...
  • 2) Coffee. Coffee adds flavour and acts as a natural tenderiser. ...
  • 3) Cola. The acid content of cola makes it a great tenderiser. ...
  • 4) Pineapple, pawpaw, figs, kiwis. ...
  • 5) Ginger. ...
  • 6) Baking Soda. ...
  • 7) Vinegar. ...
  • 8) Beer or wine.
Nov 9, 2016

How are Texas Roadhouse steaks so tender? ›

How does Texas Roadhouse tenderise their steaks? Season each side of the steak well with the seasoning and set aside to rest for about 40 minutes. This causes the salt to infiltrate the surface (through osmosis) and actually aids in the breakdown of muscle fibres, resulting in more tender meat.

Is it better to marinate or dry rub steak? ›

However, if you want something that complements your steak with an underlying flavor then a quick rub is the route you should take. Rubs aren't as flavorfully strong as marinades and should be used on pricier cuts of steak that need just a dab of extra flavor to bring out the best taste.

Do you oil steak before rub? ›

To help your seasonings adhere to the steak's surface, you can brush all sides with a small amount of olive oil first. Season steak generously, especially with thicker steaks. You'll want to have the flavor in every bite, and since only the outside gets seasoned, it needs to be enough to achieve that flavor.

How did the Chinese tenderize their meat? ›

There are several ways to velvet, but at its most basic level, it involves marinating meat with at least one ingredient that will make it alkaline. This is what tenderizes the meat, especially cheaper, tougher cuts. “People go for either egg white or baking soda as they are both alkaline ingredients.

What happens if you tenderize meat for too long? ›

Sadly, it also makes it mushy, flavorless, and unappealing to the point of being inedible. There are a couple of better ways to cook tougher cuts of beef to make them tender. One is to use it in a stew, where it cooks slowly over a long period of time in juices along with other ingredients that will flavor it.

Is coffee a natural tenderizer? ›

Just like tea, coffee is also a natural tenderizer. It is even better because it also adds a mild flavor to the meat. Brew some coffee and let it cool. Then dip the meat in it and let it rest for a while before cooking.

Is coffee good after steak? ›

Therefore, experts advise against drinking coffee after eating foods rich in zinc. This category includes red meat, oysters, poultry, and beans. Also, do not combine shrimp and coffee.

How do steakhouses get their steaks so tender? ›

Restaurants often sear the steak on high heat to create a flavorful crust, and then finish cooking it in the oven to ensure even doneness [2]. This combination of high heat searing and controlled oven cooking helps to lock in the juices and maintain tenderness.

How do steakhouses tenderize their steaks? ›

The salt breaks down the muscle fibers and connective tissue to maximize the tenderness and texture of the steak. Being a coarse variety, it also draws out and dissolves some of the juices of the meat. This brine is then reabsorbed, tenderizing and enhancing the flavor of the steak.

Is coffee good on beef? ›

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 beef, and it stands up to both low and slow, as well as hot and fast cooking.

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