If you want to be king of the grill, you need to add this easy BBQ Coffee Dry Rub Recipe to your spice box. It’s a quick make-ahead savory flavor rub that infuses a nutty and slightly chili-like flavor to all your grilled meats and vegetables.
You will want to make a batch of this coffee rub recipe to keep on hand because it’s great on steaks and can be used in sauces such as Spicy Orange and Coffee BBQ Sauce. It is also great on grilled veggies like my Grilled Corn In The Husk.
😊 Why this recipe works
- Adding coffee to your dry rub creates a savory, nutty flavor to your dry rub that forms a great crusty char on your grilled meats.
- It’s easy to make and keep on hand in a jar or other airtight container.
- It’s the perfect rub for veggies on the grill, such as thick slices of zucchini, squash, eggplant, and corn on the cob. The earthy flavor complements grilled vegetables.
- This rub makes a fun, unique gift to give someone who enjoys grilling as a hobby.
- You can also use the coffee spice rub to kick up your bbq sauces. Just add a tablespoon per cup of sauce.
- Make your coffee dry, rub spicy or not. It’s easy to accommodate your personal heat preference when mixing your own.
🛒 Ingredient notes
Coffee: I like to use whole bean coffee that I have ground in my coffee grinder to a fine grind like course cracked pepper. It’s best to use medium roast to dark roast coffee beans that do not have added flavors to them. You can use instant ground coffee if you prefer, but I have found the flavor is not as robust, and the instant coffee granules will dissolve with the juice from your meat.
Brown sugar: If you feel adventurous, you could also use maple sugar to give your grilled favorites a slightly sweet hint of flavor.
Chili powder: Some chili powders are spicier than others. I chose a mild chili powder for this recipe to not overpower my red meats or veggies.
Black pepper: I like to use coarse ground grind for this all-purpose coffee rub.
Cocoa powder: Unsweetened cocoa powder has diverse flavors that are slightly fruity, floral, with wonderful bitterness. When combined with other spices, it gives your meats more unique, bold flavors.
Cayenne pepper: If you like a spicy flavor when it comes to grilling, you will want to add more to your spice rub mixture.
See the recipe card for a complete list and quantities.
Step by step instructions
- Grind your coffee beans.
- Add the coffee and the rest of the spices into a large bowl. Stir well to combine all the ingredients tother.
- Pour into an airtigh and store in a dark cool pantry.
How to use dry rubs
- Dry: Rub your favorite dry rub on your meats, such as beef, chicken, or pork. The rub will form a nice crust on your meats when you cook them, and the brown sugar will carmelize and form a sweet crust.
- Add oil: In a small bowl, add enough high heat cooking oil to the rub mixture to form a paste. Spread this evenly onto your meats. You will not have a crusty top like the dry application, but the flavor is just as good.
How to cook with a dry rub
A dry rub is a seasoning that is versatile for many different cooking methods.
Grilling: Use as a dry rub
Slow cooker/ Crockpot: Use equal amounts of oil to spice rub mixture to make a paste. Coat your meat thoroughly and then place in the slow cooker.
Oven: Use as a dry rub
Instant Pot: Use equal amounts of oil to spice rub mixture to make a paste. Coat your meat thoroughly and then place in your Instant Pot.
🎁 This recipe makes a great gift
If you need special gifts for friends that love to grill this is it. Make up a big batch and fill spice jars.
30 Pack 4oz Glass Spice Jars Bottles
Download your free printable BBQ Coffee Dry Rub tags. After you download the template, print it on white cardstock paper. Poke a small hole, thread some twine, and tie it to your jars. You have a perfect gift to give year-round.
Do you have a question about the recipe? Feel free to ask in the comments below. I’m here to help!
BBQ Coffee Dry Rub Recipe
Note: Be sure to read through the recipe’s post for tips and details about this recipe.
You can add any recipe from Intentional Hospitality to your shopping list to plan a full menu!
Ingredients
- 1/4 cup coffee, finely ground
- 1/4 cup brown sugar
- 2 tablespoons chili powder
- 1 tablespoon smoked paprika
- 1 tablespoon black pepper
- 2 tablespoons salt
- 1 tablespoon onion powder
- 1 tablespoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon cocoa powder
- 1/2 tablespoon cayenne , ~ or more
Instructions
- Combine all ingredients in a bowl. Whisk together until well blended.
- Rub 1 tablespoon per pound on your meat. Allow to set in the refrigerator for 1 hour.
- Pour any remaining rub into an air tight jar. It will remain fresh about 6 months.
Notes
How to use dry rubs
- Dry: Rub your favorite dry rub on your meats, such as beef, chicken, or pork. The rub will form a nice crust on your meats when you cook them, and the brown sugar will carmelize and form a sweet crust.
- Add oil: In a small bowl, add enough high heat cooking oil to the rub mixture to form a paste. Spread this evenly onto your meats. You will not have a crusty top like the dry application, but the flavor is just as good.
This is our favorite dry rub. Our friends ask me for a bottle of it every week. It’s that good. Thanks for the wonderful recipe. I have to triple the recipe when I make it we go through it so fast. O
The rub is fantastic on ribs and brisket.
So glad y’all enjoy this recipe. It’s one of those recipes that just sort of evolved and now has become a family favorite for us too.
love this recipe, reblogging it on my blog.. thanks for sharing it
I want to make jars with this dry rub to give as Christmas gifts. How much of each ingredient do you put in the jar?
I triple the recipe and mix it in one large bowl. Then using a funnel I fill each jar. Sometimes my jars are different sizes so this makes it easier. I also print the recipe and attach with the gift so they can make it themselves when they run out.
This is AWESOME!!! THE BEST dry rub I have ever used!
Could you please share the template for the tag? Thank you
These were some tags I used a punch hole type cutter years ago. I just made a printable sheet of tags that are very similar. I will send them to you via email and post on the blog page.
Would like to try this recipe but am not sure what you mean by ground coffee. Is it the one for instant coffee or brewed coffee? Thanks for sharing this recipe.
I use my coffee bean grinder and pulse it until the coffee beans are more of a fine powder. You could also use already ground coffee but I would get the express blend because it is a finer grind.
By far the most amazing rub you will ever try! Use as a dry rub or add your favorite bbq sauce afterwards you won’t be disappointed.
Wow Kristy, thank you for the great review. I came up with this rub years ago because Carrabbas Restaurant had a coffee rub steak my husband loved. We still had 5 of our 6 kids living at home so we were on a tight budget and I wanted to surprise him with a steak like the restaurants. If you don’t mind I would like to add your review as a quote in the post. :)