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Coffee Rubbed Steak

Name: Coffee Rubbed Steak
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 15 min
Ingredients: 2 tablespoons ground coffee; 2 tablespoon brown sugar; 1 tablespoon coarse salt; 1 tablespoon paprika; 2 teaspoons chili powder; 1 teaspoon onion powder; 1 teaspoon granulated garlic; 1 teaspoon ground mustard; 1 teaspoon coriander; 1/2 teaspoon black pepper; 4 NY strip steaks (about 1"-thick)

By: Melissa / Updated: Oct 13, 2026

DF EF NF GF

These coffee rubbed steaks are one of my favorite things to grill up once the weather gets warm. This super easy dry rub creates an aromatic crust that's infused with savory spices and rich coffee grounds for a flavor that's unique and delicious.

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A sliced, coffee rubbed steak topped with sea salt on a white ribbed platter, accompanied by two forks.

Why you’ll love this coffee rubbed steak

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It’s the last day of May today, and that means we will be grilling as much as possible. It means less dishes and tastier food, and I’m all for that. It also means finding new ways to make the same old thing, and that’s where seasonings and rubs come in.

This coffee rub for steak is full of unique flavor that pairs really well with the richness of any steak. Normally, we use it for strip steaks or ribeyes, but you can honestly use it to season just about any cut of beef.

These steaks would be really great paired with a romaine wedge salad and some crispy potato wedges for a classic steakhouse meal, or you could pear them with my arugula zucchini salad and some duck fat potatoes for something a little different.

→ If you like this recipe, you should try these: barbecue dry rub / dry rub chicken wings / flank steak marinade / grilled pineapple

A couple raw new york strip steaks being rubbed with dry rub.

A bowl of dry rub made with coffee grounds.

Ingredient notes:

Coffee grounds – It’s best to use fresh, coarse ground coffee with a medium to dark roast for maximum flavor.
Brown sugar – don’t cut this from the mix. The sugar helps to create a gorgeous crust on this steak and balances the acidity of the coffee grounds.
Spices – If you want to cut back on the amount of ingredients in the seasoning, you could omit the dry mustard and coriander. I wouldn’t skip the rest of the ingredients though.
Steak – I recommend a NY strip steaks or ribeye for this recipe, but you can use whatever cut of steak you prefer.

Making changes to a recipe can result in recipe failure. Any substitutions listed are simple changes that I believe will work in this recipe, but results are not guaranteed.

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Our pellet grill

We recently upgraded our pellet grill to a Traeger Ironwood 885, and we absolutely love it!

If you’re using an electric or other type of smoker, simply set yours to the temperatures listed and use as directed by your manufacturer.

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The following is a detailed overview of the recipe steps with added tips and tricks for recipe success. For a simplified and printable version, including ingredient amounts and more formal instructions, see the recipe card below.

How to make this coffee rubbed steak

Make the coffee rub. Combine the spices in a mixing bowl and stir to combine. I find that this takes a little bit of time with the moisture from the brown sugar, but you can also speed things up by mixing it with a fork or whisk to break things up.

This mix will make more than enough coffee rub for 4 steaks, so feel free to store the rub in a mason jar or other airtight container to keep it fresh. It should last for up to 6 months if it’s stored properly.

Grill the steaks. Heat your grill to high heat – about 450˚F. Add the steaks and cook for about 4 – 5 minutes per side, or until the internal temperature reaches about 120˚F for medium rare.

I like to take my steaks off the grill just before they’re ready because I find that the steaks will cook a little bit more once they are removed from the grill. If you prefer yours to be cooked more or less, feel free to adjust the timing accordingly. You might find this steak temperature guide helpful.

Remove the steaks from the grill and let them rest for about 5 minutes before serving or slicing them.

Close up of sliced new york strip steak sliced on a plate showing how juicy the interior is.

Frequently asked questions

What do coffee grounds do to a steak?

Using coffee grounds in a dry rub adds a rich, earthy flavor and also helps tenderize the meat. When seared the coffee grounds also create a nice crust that helps locks in the juices.

→ More grilling recipes: grilled turkey breast / the BEST grilled salmon kabobs / smoked shrimp / grilled bison burgers

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Hi! I'm Melissa.

I create easy, dairy free recipes because I know how hard living without milk can be. I believe you can live a completely satisfying life without dairy, and I want to teach you how.