Have I got something special for you? This coffee-rubbed steak is bold, unique, and easy to make with spice rack staples. I’ve been making this for a few years, and it always comes out rich, smoky, and unforgettable. I’ll share my best tip to get a perfect crust without burning the spices—it’s easier than you think!

A white plate with Coffee Rubbed Steak slices and green beans, a fork resting on the steak. Nearby, there’s a glass jar of seasoning and a cast iron skillet, hinting at the flavorful preparation. - 1

This coffee-rubbed steak feels like something you’d order at a great steakhouse, but it’s shockingly simple to make at home. The coffee-spice blend creates a deep, savory crust that makes every bite bold and memorable.

When I first tested this recipe with a coffee rub spice blend my dad gifted me, I quickly realized the spices can burn before the steak is done. The trick that changed everything? Flip the steak every minute. It allows the meat to cook evenly while building a rich, flavorful crust without scorching the rub. With a good steak, a finely ground coffee rub, a bit of avocado oil for a proper sear, and butter added at the end for richness, you’ve got an incredibly impressive dinner with minimal effort.

Tip ⇢ The quantities in the recipe will give you extra coffee rub, so you can enjoy it again. Store it in a jar for the next time you want steak, or try it on chicken, brisket, roasted veggies, pork tenderloin, or on a portobello mushroom burger.

A sliced, medium-rare Coffee Rubbed Steak is shown in a black cast iron skillet, with a seared crust and some visible pink in the center. - 2

Coffee-rubbed steak is a dinner that’s incredibly easy, yet feels like a treat!

Coffee Rubbed Steak, sliced medium-rare, and green beans served on a white plate. - 3

My cooking method gives you perfectly tender, juicy steak with a delicate (read: not burnt) crust!

What to serve with coffee rubbed steak

This steak recipe is sure to be the main star on the table, so I like to keep my sides simple, often serving it up with a side of green beans with almonds and a big scoop of creamy roasted garlic mashed potato . While I usually lean towards a veggie side, a crisp salad also complements the steak nicely. Try my spring mix salad or this asparagus salad with balsamic glaze .

Store and reheat

This coffee-rubbed steak recipe is best enjoyed freshly cooked, as it may be overcooked when reheated. However, leftovers still taste great!

Store: To store any leftovers, first let them come to room temperature. Then transfer them to a covered container and refrigerate for up to 4 days.

Reheat: If you want to skip the reheating, you could use leftovers in a salad, either cold or at room temperature. Otherwise, gently reheat in a skillet.

Coffee Rubbed Steak, sliced medium-rare, and green beans served on a white plate. - 4 Coffee Rubbed Steak, sliced medium-rare, and green beans served on a white plate. - 5

Coffee Rubbed Steak Recipe

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Coffee Rubbed Steak - 6

Ingredients

  • ▢ 2 tablespoons coffee rub (see notes)
  • ▢ 24 ounce boneless rib eye steaks (see notes)
  • ▢ 1 tablespoon avocado oil
  • ▢ 2 tablespoons butter

Coffee Rub

  • ▢ 2 tablespoons finely ground coffee (see notes)
  • ▢ 1 tablespoon ground cumin
  • ▢ 1 tablespoon garlic powder
  • ▢ 1 tablespoon onion powder
  • ▢ 1 tablespoon sweet paprika
  • ▢ 1 ½ teaspoons chili powder
  • ▢ 1 ½ teaspoons brown sugar
  • ▢ 1 ½ teaspoons sea salt

Instructions

  • Mix the coffee rub spices in a small bowl. Transfer the spices to a 1-cup glass jar – you’ll use some now and save the rest for later. 2 tablespoons finely ground coffee, 1 tablespoon ground cumin, 1 tablespoon garlic powder, 1 tablespoon onion powder, 1 tablespoon sweet paprika, 1 ½ teaspoons chili powder, 1 ½ teaspoons brown sugar, 1 ½ teaspoons sea salt
  • Begin with the steaks at room temperature and pat them dry with a paper towel. Rub two tablespoons of the coffee rub evenly over both sides of the steaks. 2 tablespoons coffee rub, 24 ounce boneless rib eye steaks
  • Drizzle the oil over the steaks and rub it in so that the spices become like a paste. 1 tablespoon avocado oil
  • Heat a large cast-iron pan over medium heat for 5 minutes. Add the steaks and sear for 1 minute.
  • Flip the steaks over and cook for 1 minute more. Continue cooking the steaks, flipping them every minute, until they are cooked to your desired doneness – see the notes for temperatures.
  • After 5-6 flips, your steaks should be done. Turn the heat to low and add the butter. Baste the steaks with the butter, then remove the pan from the heat. 2 tablespoons butter
  • Transfer the steaks to a plate and let them rest, uncovered, for 10-15 minutes.
  • Slice the steaks against the grain into ¼ inch thick strips then and drizzle some of the butter in the pan over top. You can also add the sliced steak back into the pan, mix it into the butter, and serve it in the skillet – I do this often.

Notes

Nutrition

We have thoroughly tested this recipe for accuracy. However, individual results may vary. See our full recipe disclosure here .

Coffee Rubbed Steak, sliced medium-rare, and green beans served on a white plate. - 7 Coffee Rubbed Steak, sliced medium-rare, and green beans served on a white plate. - 8

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A cooked and sliced coffee rubbed steak sits in a black cast iron skillet, showing a seared crust and pink interior, with a brown napkin and a glass jar nearby. - 9 Coffee Rubbed Steak, sliced with a pink center, is served alongside cooked green beans on a white plate. - 10

More steak recipes

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Chimichurri Steak Bites Appetizer

Best Steak Salad with Creamy Balsamic Vinaigrette

Coffee Rubbed Steak, sliced medium-rare, and green beans served on a white plate. - 11

Coffee Rubbed Steak Recipe

Ingredients

  • 2 tablespoons coffee rub , see notes
  • 24 ounce boneless rib eye steaks , see notes
  • 1 tablespoon avocado oil
  • 2 tablespoons butter

Coffee Rub

  • 2 tablespoons finely ground coffee , see notes
  • 1 tablespoon ground cumin
  • 1 tablespoon garlic powder
  • 1 tablespoon onion powder
  • 1 tablespoon sweet paprika
  • 1 ½ teaspoons chili powder
  • 1 ½ teaspoons brown sugar
  • 1 ½ teaspoons sea salt

Instructions

  • Mix the coffee rub spices in a small bowl. Transfer the spices to a 1-cup glass jar - you’ll use some now and save the rest for later. 2 tablespoons finely ground coffee, 1 tablespoon ground cumin, 1 tablespoon garlic powder, 1 tablespoon onion powder, 1 tablespoon sweet paprika, 1 ½ teaspoons chili powder, 1 ½ teaspoons brown sugar, 1 ½ teaspoons sea salt
  • Begin with the steaks at room temperature and pat them dry with a paper towel. Rub two tablespoons of the coffee rub evenly over both sides of the steaks. 2 tablespoons coffee rub, 24 ounce boneless rib eye steaks
  • Drizzle the oil over the steaks and rub it in so that the spices become like a paste. 1 tablespoon avocado oil
  • Heat a large cast-iron pan over medium heat for 5 minutes. Add the steaks and sear for 1 minute.
  • Flip the steaks over and cook for 1 minute more. Continue cooking the steaks, flipping them every minute, until they are cooked to your desired doneness - see the notes for temperatures.
  • After 5-6 flips, your steaks should be done. Turn the heat to low and add the butter. Baste the steaks with the butter, then remove the pan from the heat. 2 tablespoons butter
  • Transfer the steaks to a plate and let them rest, uncovered, for 10-15 minutes.
  • Slice the steaks against the grain into ¼ inch thick strips then and drizzle some of the butter in the pan over top. You can also add the sliced steak back into the pan, mix it into the butter, and serve it in the skillet - I do this often.

Notes

https://www.theendlessmeal.com/coffee-rubbed-steak/