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    Home » Recipes » Ingredient Spotlights

    Coffee Rub for Chicken, Beef and More

    Published: Jun 2, 2024 · Modified: Jun 4, 2024 by Tracey Hatch-Rizzi
    This post may contain affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
    2 Comments

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    Bowl of coffee rub with a spoon next to it overflowing with rub.
    Coffee rub seasoning in a bowl with a spoon next to a bowl of whole coffee beans.
    Split image of coffee rub in a bowl with a spoon and unmixed ingredients in a bowl.
    Coffee rub in small wood bowl with a spoon in it next to a small bowl of whole coffee beans.

    This homemade coffee spice rub can be used on most anything.  It’s complex, earthy flavors are perfect as a poultry, fish or beef seasoning rub. Enhance the flavor of grilled, roasted, smoked or pan-fried recipes – and no, they won’t taste like an espresso!

    Coffee rub in small wood bowl with a spoon in it next to a small bowl of whole coffee beans.
    Jump to:
    • Why you'll love this recipe
    • What does coffee rub taste like?
    • Ingredients
    • The best coffee for dry rub
    • Instructions
    • How to use
    • How to store
    • Variations
    • FAQ
    • More homemade spice blends
    • 📖 Recipe
    • 💬 Comments

    A coffee dry rub has some of the most complex, deep and rich flavors of any seasoning blend you’ll find.  I use it on this Smoked Sirloin Steak recipe as it has a reputation as a beef seasoning rub or rub for steak, but it can be used for so much more.

    It's versatility lends itself to many dishes, similar to this All-Purpose Seasoning recipe, just with a different flavor profile. The intense flavors complement most any meat, fish or root vegetables.  It’s marvelous used as a chicken seasoning on this Convection Roast Chicken, savory rub for Smoked Lamb Leg, and pairs well with hearty fish, such as halibut, tilapia and salmon.

    Why you'll love this recipe

    • Versatile – add a deep, rich flavor to most anything.  Use this on chicken, beef, pork, lamb or as fish seasoning.
    • Simple ingredients – enjoy the savory and spicy flavors of this dry rub with spices you probably have in your pantry
    • Sugar-free, low-carb and special diet friendly – great barbecue doesn’t rely on sugar, but you can add some if you wish. And, it contains all keto, paleo, Whole30 and low-FODMAP seasonings.
    • Homemade spice blends are best – you save money making them yourself and can adjust to your own tastes

    What does coffee rub taste like?

    I know what you’re thinking – like coffee, right?  Not at all.  This is a rich, complex rub with a unique, earthy flavor and just a hint of bitterness that compliments most any meat or hearty fish.  The coffee enhances other savory flavors, without making your meat taste like an espresso.

    It's rich, slightly smoky, with just a little bit of heat.

    Coffee is acidic and can magnify the other flavors of the rub. It also acts as a natural tenderizer for meat.

    Small bowls and vertical piles of spices for coffee rub on a wood board with black text labels.

    Ingredients

    This combination of flavors creates a seasoning that is unlike any other.  I add a combination of savory, spicy, aromatic and smoky herbs for the most unforgettable coffee rub.

    • Ground coffee – fine or medium grind.  See section, below for my recommendations.
    • Smoked paprika – adds a rich, smoky, sweet and slightly spicy flavor
    • Coriander powder – is floral and nutty with slight citrus and pepper notes
    • Chipotle powder – smoky, spicy with hints of tobacco and chocolate
    • Mustard powder – adds intensity, spice and a slight bitterness
    • Cumin powder – is nutty, savory, pungent and aromatic
    • Salt and pepper – bring the flavors together.  Take your spice blend to the next level by using kala namak black salt.  Its sulfur-like aroma blends into the other spices, creating a savory umami that’s unlike anything else.  It elevates anything it touches.  Read more in my Kala Namak Ingredient Spotlight.
    • Onion and garlic powder – adds savory nuances.  Omit for low-FODMAP.
    • Ground mushroom powder (optional) – porcini or oyster mushroom powders are my secret ingredients that make spice blends outstanding.  They add umami you can’t get from any other ingredient.  Be sure to use oyster mushroom for low-FODMAP. This is totally optional, but recommended.

    The best coffee for dry rub

    Fine or medium ground dark roast coffee is best.  I prefer to use espresso.  You can use either caffeinated or decaf – it doesn’t matter, flavor-wise.

    I don’t recommend using instant coffee.  You don’t want the coffee to combine with surface moisture and dissolve.  If you find you need to use instant coffee in a pinch, be sure to dry the surface of the meat before applying it.

    Wood bowl of all coffee rub ingredients not yet mixed together.

    Instructions

    Homemade spice blends are simple to make!

    • Place all ingredients into a small mixing bowl
    • Stir or whisk together until thoroughly combined, breaking up any lumps

    How to use

    This dry rub can be used in many ways.  It’s best used when it will form a nice crust or bark on the surface of whatever you’re cooking.  It can be used for low and slow cooking or high-heat, hot and fast cooking.

    • Roasting – use as a rub on Convection Roasted Chicken or a Roasted Turkey.  It also is wonderful with roasted root vegetables
    • Grilling – use on anything from grilled ribs to salmon
    • Smoking – the flavor is phenomenal with smoked meats.  It’s perfect with Smoked Leg of Lamb, Smoked Turkey Breast or Smoked Pork Tenderloin.
    • Pan-frying – try on hearty fish like tilapia or pan-seared steak cooked in butter – so good!  It forms a beautiful herb crust that’s pretty amazing.

    How to store

    Spice blends should be stored in a container with a tight fitting lid, away from light and heat.  I prefer to use glass containers over plastic.  Plastic spice containers are slightly porous and allow a small amount of air into the container, decreasing their flavor over time.

    Since coffee tends to lose flavor and aroma rather quickly, I suggest using this within 3 months for best flavor.

    Variations

    • Add more heat – if you want a hotter coffee chili rub, add more chipotle, hotter chili powder or cayenne
    • Sweet rub – to create a sweeter rub, add a tablespoon of brown sugar or Swerve Brown for low-carb

    FAQ

    How much seasoning per pound of meat?

    As a general rule, plan on 1 tablespoon per pound of meat.

    Can you use coffee grounds in a dry rub?

    No, used grounds will not create the flavor or aroma you want from a coffee rub.  After brewing, most of the flavor has been released into the brewed coffee.  Fresh or pre-ground is best.

    Why put coffee in a barbecue rub?

    The acidity in coffee amplifies the flavors of other spices and also acts as a tenderizer.  It makes the meat more tender and applying a rub can help seal in moisture.

    Full bowl of coffee rub with a spoon next to it spilling over with rub.

    Did you make this recipe? Let me know how you liked it by giving a star rating and leaving a comment!

    More homemade spice blends

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      Buffalo Chicken Dry Rub

    📖 Recipe

    Bowl of coffee rub with spoon in it and another small bowl of coffee beans next to it.

    Coffee Rub for Chicken, Beef and More

    Author: Tracey Hatch-Rizzi
    This homemade coffee spice rub can be used on most anything.  It’s complex, earthy flavors are perfect as a poultry, fish or beef seasoning rub. Enhance the flavor of grilled, roasted, smoked or pan-fried recipes – and no, they won’t taste like an espresso!
    5 from 1 vote
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    Prep Time: 10 minutes minutes
    Total Time: 10 minutes minutes
    Category: Ingredients
    Cuisine: American
    Method: No cook
    Yield: 0.5 cups
    Diet:Diabetic, Gluten Free
    Special Diet:Keto, Low-Carb, Low-FODMAP, Paleo, Whole30

    Ingredients
     
     

    • 2 tablespoons ground coffee (fine or medium grind)
    • 1 tablespoon smoked paprika
    • 1 tablespoon coriander powder
    • 1 tablespoon mushroom powder (optional. I suggest porcini or oyster mushroom for low-FODMAP.)
    • 1 teaspoon chipotle powder (or chili powder)
    • 1 teaspoon mustard powder
    • 1 teaspoon cumin powder
    • 1 teaspoon onion powder (omit for low-FODMAP)
    • 1 teaspoon garlic powder (omit for low-FODMAP)
    • 1 teaspoon salt (I love using kala namak black salt. Learn more in my Kala Namak Ingredient Spotlight.)
    • ½ teaspoon pepper

    Instructions
     

    • Place all ingredients in a small mixing bowl.
    • Stir or whisk together until thoroughly combined, breaking up any lumps.

    Notes

    Variations

    • Add more heat – if you want a hotter coffee chili rub, add more chipotle, hotter chili powder or cayenne
    • Sweet rub – to create a sweeter rub, add a tablespoon of brown sugar or Swerve Brown for low-carb

    Nutrition

    Serving: 0.5 tablespoonCalories: 6 kcalCarbohydrates: 1 gProtein: 0 gFat: 0 gSaturated Fat: 0 gCholesterol: 0 mgSodium: 145 mgPotassium: 0 mgFiber: 1 gSugar: 0 gNet Carbs*: 0 g

    *Net carbs = carbohydrates - fiber

    Nutritional information is an estimate, calculated using online tools and does not include optional ingredients unless otherwise indicated.

    Did you make this recipe?Leave a review below, then snap a picture and tag @Rad_Foodie on Instagram so I can see it!

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    Comments

    1. Jaime says

      June 04, 2024 at 10:12 am

      5 stars
      I love sweet rubs so I added 2 tablespoons of brown sugar like you suggested and it was wonderful. I rubbed a NY steak then seared it in butter and the crust it made!! I also added a sprinkle of flake salt to the steak and it was excellent!

      Reply
      • Tracey Hatch-Rizzi says

        June 04, 2024 at 3:47 pm

        Hi Jaime,

        That sounds like a great variation and I'm so happy you liked it. I'll bet that steak was amazing. We cook ours in butter in our cast iron all the time. It's so good!

        Best,
        Tracey

        Reply
    5 from 1 vote

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    Bowl of coffee rub with a spoon next to it overflowing with rub.
    Coffee rub seasoning in a bowl with a spoon next to a bowl of whole coffee beans.
    Split image of coffee rub in a bowl with a spoon and unmixed ingredients in a bowl.
    Coffee rub in small wood bowl with a spoon in it next to a small bowl of whole coffee beans.
    Blog author in a green blouse outside with green plants behind.

    Hey there! I'm Tracey, a FODMAP-trained recipe developer and acupuncturist living a rad low-FODMAP and low-carb lifestyle. I love creating healthy, flavorful recipes, often with global ingredients. Special diets should never be boring and taste buds deserve to be happy!

    Learn more about me →

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    Bowl of coffee rub with a spoon next to it overflowing with rub.
    Coffee rub seasoning in a bowl with a spoon next to a bowl of whole coffee beans.
    Split image of coffee rub in a bowl with a spoon and unmixed ingredients in a bowl.
    Coffee rub in small wood bowl with a spoon in it next to a small bowl of whole coffee beans.

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