
Coffee Rubbed Steak
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.
Why you’ll love this coffee rubbed steak
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 coffee dry rub, make sure you try the basic barbecue dry rub that I use for pork and dry rub chicken wings. You can also try out this flank steak marinade or the marinade I use for my salmon kabobs. And, give some grilled pineapple a try for dessert!

Ingredients & substitutions
- 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 below are simple changes that I believe will work in this recipe, but results are not guaranteed.

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.
More grilling recipes: Grilled turkey breast / The BEST grilled salmon kabobs / smoked shrimp / grilled bison burgers

Frequently asked questions


Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons coffee grounds
- 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)
Instructions
- Combine coffee rub ingredients in a mixing bowl and stir until evenly combined.
- To grill steaks, season each steak with about 1 – 2 teaspoons dry rub. Allow steaks to rest for about 30 minutes – 1 hour before grilling.
- Heat grill to high (about 450˚F). Add steaks to the grill and cook for about 5 minutes per side, or until the steak reaches an internal temperature of your liking – generally around 120˚F for medium rare.
- Remove steaks from the grill and allow them to rest for about 5 minutes before serving or slicing.
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