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Have you ever used a coffee steak rub before? If not, you have to try this delicious coffee rubbed steak recipe for yourself. Juicy New York strip steak is expertly seasoned with coffee along with herbs and spices and then seared perfectly to deliver a tender bite and lock in all the juices. The coffee enhances the deep, earthy taste of the beef and forms an unbeatable crust. The coffee spice rub steak is served with fragrant, creamy herb butter which adds a touch of indulgence. This easy steak recipe makes a quick weeknight dinner from items you already have in your pantry.
A coffee rub on steak elevates it to gourmet status, as the coffee flavor complements the meat’s natural taste. Skip the steakhouse – make coffee rubbed steak at home.
If you love steak, you might also like to try slow cooker pepper steak, this Italian steak, or grilled steak with herb scallions.
Why You’ll Love It
So delicious: Coffee rubbed steak offers a wonderful depth of flavor. The steak won’t taste like coffee but it will have incredible savory flavors and taste just as good as what you’d expect at a steakhouse.
Easy to make: You need to season the steak and let it rest. Prepare the herb butter. And then you just cook the steak, add the herb butter and serve. So simple!
Ideal for any occasion: Whether you want to treat the family to something extra-special or you have guests coming over for dinner, this coffee rubbed steak recipe is a winning dish.
Coffee Rubbed Steak and Herb Butter Ingredients
A complete list of ingredients and amounts can be found in the recipe card below.
New York strip steaks: You can use something else if you prefer, perhaps T-bone or ribeye steak.
Brown sugar: Adds sweetness to the coffee spice rub.
Chili powder: Adds a touch of heat. You can use less if you want a milder result.
Butter: For the herb butter. Don’t use margarine here. This coffee rubbed steak deserves real butter.
Fresh herbs: Cilantro, rosemary, thyme, and parsley are all good. You can stick to one or two or mix and match several in the herb butter.
How to Make a Steak Rub With Coffee
For more detailed instructions with weights and measurements, jump to the printable recipe card.
Prepare the coffee rubbed steaks: Combine the coffee, brown sugar, salt, chili powder, smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, cumin and pepper in a small bowl. Sprinkle over the steaks, pressing down to coat, and let the steak rest for 30 minutes.
Make the herb butter: Combine the butter with the lemon zest and herbs, roll into a log shape, wrap in plastic wrap, and keep refrigerated until ready to use.
Cook the steaks: Heat a cast iron skillet or heavy pan until sizzling hot and then add the oil and cook the steaks until done to your liking.
The finishing touches: Slice the herb butter and place on the hot steaks still in the pan. Let the steaks rest for a few minutes and then serve with your favorite steak sides.
Substitutions and Variations
A different steak: Ribeye steak, a T-bone or a strip steak works well, but you can use any kind of steak you prefer. Flat iron steak is another great choice. It’s lean but still tender and juicy. Or if you love filet mignon, you can use that.
Less spicy: Omit the chili powder from the coffee rub for steak.
Sugar-free version: Swap the brown sugar for artificial sweetener (Try this one!)
Lime zest: Sub lime zest for the lemon zest in the herb butter for a different flavor.
Serving Suggestions
Appetizers: Set the tone for your exquisite dinner by serving up crab legs or an iceberg wedge salad.
Side dishes: Pair coffee rubbed steak with jalapeno popper creamed corn, green beans and potatoes, or onion rings.
Desserts: Enjoy cream cheese brownies, Biscoff cheesecake, or strawberry mousse tartlets for dessert.
How to Store Coffee Crusted Steak
Store: Keep any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator and eat within 3 days.
Freeze: You could freeze it but the flavor and texture would be impacted, so I’d recommend not.
Reheat: Warm the coffee rubbed steak recipe back up gently in a skillet on the stove.
Top Tips
Room temperature steak: It’s best to let the steaks reach room temperature before cooking them. You can either season them and leave them on the countertop for half an hour or (if it’s very hot in the kitchen) refrigerate them for 15 minutes and sit the seasoned steaks out for the other 15 minutes.
Finely ground coffee: You need very finely ground coffee beans to make this coffee rub steak recipe, so either grind your own that way or buy it like that.
Fresh herbs mixture: Any combination of cilantro, thyme, rosemary, and parsley works in the herb butter.
Coffee Steak Rub Recipe FAQs
The steak will take about 3 minutes per side for rare, 4 or 5 minutes per side for medium rare or, for well done, 3 minutes per side and then reduce the heat and continue to cook for another few minutes. Cooking times vary according to the cooking heat as well as the meat thickness though, so use your own judgement.
Don’t use instant coffee granules. I use medium roast coffee beans that are finely ground (the grind you use for espresso). Some people grind up spent coffee grounds with black pepper and use that as a steak seasoning, although I haven’t tried that myself.
Well, that’s totally up to you and depends on your desired doneness. Some people like their steak very rare while others won’t touch anything that’s less than well done. Personally I aim for medium rare steak because it’s juicy and tender, which usually takes around 4 minutes per side for a 1-inch thick steak.
Coffee Rubbed Steak With Herb Butter Recipe
Coffee Rubbed Steak
Ingredients
- 1 Tablespoon coffee beans, finely ground
- 1 Tablespoon brown sugar
- 1 Teaspoon salt
- ½ Teaspoon chili powder
- ½ Teaspoon smoked paprika
- ½ Teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ Teaspoon onion powder
- ½ Teaspoon ground cumin
- ½ Teaspoon black pepper, freshly cracked
- 2 steak, New York strip, 1 to 1½ inches thick
- 2 Teaspoons vegetable oil
For the Herb Butter:
- ½ Cup butter, at room temperature
- 2 Tablespoons fresh herbs, chopped cilantro, rosemary, thyme, parsley
- Zest of 1 lemon
Instructions
- Combine the coffee, brown sugar, salt, chili powder, smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, cumin and pepper.
- Sprinkle over all sides of the steak, pressing down to fully coat. Let the steak rest for 30 minutes at room temperature (or in the refrigerator if it’s a hot day).
- Make the herb butter. Combine the butter, herbs and lemon zest. Place in a log shape in wax paper or saran wrap and refrigerate until ready to use.
- Heat the pan over a medium-high heat until sizzling hot and drizzle the oil over the pan.
- Add the steak to the pan and cook for 2 to 3 minutes, then flip and continue cooking until done to your liking.
- Slice the herbed butter and place on the hot steak before removing from the pan.
Notes
Finely ground coffee: You need very finely ground coffee beans to make this coffee rub steak recipe, so either grind your own that way or buy it like that.
Fresh herbs mixture: Any combination of cilantro, thyme, rosemary, and parsley works in the herb butter.
Nutrition
The spice and coffee rub on the New York strip steaks gives them such an incredible flavor. Serve up coffee rubbed steak with mashed potatoes and green beans or your favorite side dishes. It’s a lovely dish to choose whether you’re looking for something special to serve at a dinner party or you just want to try something special for dinner. The steaks will have a delicious crust with rich, savory flavors everyone will enjoy.
Other Recipes to Try
Bella Bucchiotti
Bella Bucchiotti is a Canadian-based syndicated food, travel, and lifestyle writer, photographer, and creator at xoxoBella. She founded xoxoBella in 2015, where she shares her love for food, dogs, sustainability, fitness, crafts, outdoor adventures, travel, and philanthropy to encourage others to run the extra mile, try new recipes, visit unfamiliar places, and stand for a cause. Bella creates stress-free and family-friendly recipes for weeknight dinners and festive feasts.
I love coffee, and this coffee rubbed steak is just next level!!
Although I am not a coffee fan, I gave this a try because the spice crust sounded tasty. It didn’t disappoint!