So you’ve been using the same old rubs over and again and you’re ready for a change. Something to stimulate your senses and make you enthused about the tastes you’re developing.
I began including coffee into my beef rubs a few years ago. It had been used for many years, I had read somewhere. Then why hadn’t I heard of it? Was it a trade secret, or was it so horrible that no one used it? Neither of these statements is correct; it is still frequently used, and it complements beef so beautifully that I believe it is virtually required.
That is a really strong thing to make, I know. Why does it go so well with beef? Simply said, it improves the rich meaty flavor of fine beef. Because coffee is extremely acidic, it also helps tenderize the meat.
Contents
- Homemade coffee dry rub
- Can you use coffee rub on steak?
- Is coffee only for beef though?
- Making the rub
- Want more rub ideas?
- FAQs
- Why do you put coffee in BBQ rub?
- What is coffee rub made of?
- Can you use coffee grounds as seasoning?
- Does coffee tenderize meat?
- Does coffee rub taste like coffee?
- Does caffeine cook out of coffee rub?
- Why do people use coffee rubs?
- What is the foam they put on coffee?
- What is Kona coffee rub?
- What should you not use coffee grounds for?
Homemade coffee dry rub
Are we making an espresso or a rub for meat?
When I first heard about using coffee in a massage, they were the first things that sprang to mind.
Let’s get one thing straight: your meat will not taste like coffee.
Not at all.
You won’t be able to detect a distinct coffee flavor unless you have very sensitive taste receptors. It is most often used to tenderize the meat, improve the delicious aromas, and when smoking your meat at low temperatures for an extended period of time, it will assist you in creating that highly sought after bark or crust on the outside of your meat.
Does the kind of coffee bean have an impact on the rubs? I tried many and couldn’t discern any difference in taste or intensity, but I did notice that freshly ground coffee had more acidity and so helped tenderize the meat a lot more than coffee that wasn’t freshly ground.
Don’t be scared to use coffee in your massages; in fact, start experimenting right now. Keeping in mind that it will only improve whatever sweet or savory tastes you already have, it is essentially a flavor enhancer.
Use this rub to excellent advantage in our recipes for pulled bbq beef, smoked prime rib, and coffee rubbed ribeye.
Can you use coffee rub on steak?
This rub works well on steak, however I think it works best when reverse searing bigger steaks so that the rub has time to enter the flesh before hitting the coffee with high heat.
Our reverse-seared coffee rubbed ribeye steak recipe incorporates our coffee rub.
At the absolute least, apply the rub a couple of hours ahead of time and then refrigerate the steak. The longer it can remain on the surface, the more acidity it may permeate into the flesh.
Is coffee only for beef though?
Many coffee rubs recommend just using them on meat.
While I like it on beef, I’ve also used it well on pork and poultry.It just has a superb combination of sweet and sour taste that has recently become popular.
We’ve previously discussed what coffee brings to the table in terms of a rub. It only amplifies what is already present.
So, no, you will not taste coffee; instead, it will accentuate any savory and sweet tastes in your rub, and you will finish up with such a rich complex flavor at the conclusion of your cook from the smoke, seasoning, and natural taste of your protein.
My family’s taste was used to fine-tune this coffee rub. Some people enjoy sweet tastes, while others prefer savory ones. Then there are some who dislike heat yet like a little additional kick. As a result, this combination is a happy medium.
You may use coffee rub on brisket, or you can try our brisket rub recipe.
Making the rub
I always suggest weighing out all of your ingredients ahead of time for any rub, spice, or sauce. It’s not that making a rub is difficult; it’s simply a nice habit to develop while cooking.
What youll need is:
- 1 cup coarsely ground freshly ground coffee (I’ve discovered that the fresher the coffee, the more it acts to help tenderize the meat)
- 2 tbsp dark brown sugar (any brown sugar would do)
- 2 tablespoons of garlic powder
- 2 tablespoons of onion powder
- 2 tsp cayenne pepper (Feel free to add more or less, but this quantity found to be a nice medium for most people)
- 2 tbsp paprika (I used regular, but you may use sweet or smoked paprika if you want)
- 1 tablespoon of ground cumin
- 1 tablespoon kosher salt (or salt flakes)
To make it simpler to apply, fully combine all of the ingredients in a rub shaker. Apply any seasoning or rub from a height of around 12 inches, since this just helps the various sized particles separate, resulting in a more equal coating and, as a result, every bite from start to finish will taste the same.
You should also store any leftovers in an airtight container or zip lock bag in the fridge to keep them fresher for longer. It should keep in the refrigerator for up to six months. However, because of the coffee, I believe that fresh is ideal.
Want more rub ideas?
- The 17 Best BBQ Rubs You Can Buy Online for 2021
- BBQ Dry Rubs You Can Make at Home
- 7 Delicious Dry Rubs for Pulled Pork and Ribs
Want to try a coffee massage but don’t want to make it yourself? Here are a couple of our favorite coffee dry rubs from the shop.
