Description
This Smoky Coffee Rub is a simple yet powerful blend designed to create a perfectly seared steak with a rich, aromatic crust. It’s a game-changer for home cooks seeking deep flavor without fuss.
Ingredients
Scale
- 0.25 cup finely ground coffee
- 2 Tbsp smoked paprika
- 1 Tbsp light brown sugar, packed
- 1 Tbsp garlic powder
- 1 Tbsp onion powder
- 2 tsp coarse sea salt
- 1 tsp freshly ground black pepper
- 0.5 tsp cayenne pepper
Instructions
- Combine Rub Ingredients: Whisk all rub ingredients thoroughly in a small bowl until evenly blended and uniform in color, about 1-2 minutes.
- Pat Steaks Dry: Pat steaks completely dry on all sides with paper towels to remove surface moisture, essential for a crispy crust.
- Apply Rub: Generously coat steaks on all sides with the Smoky Coffee Rub, pressing gently to adhere and form a visible, even layer (use 1-2 Tbsp per side).
- Rest Steaks at Room Temperature: Allow the rubbed steaks to rest at room temperature for 30-60 minutes before cooking for deeper flavor penetration and even cooking.
- Sear Steaks: Sear steaks hot and fast on a preheated grill or heavy cast iron skillet (400-450F / 200-230C). Cook 2-4 minutes per side for medium-rare (130-135F / 54-57C), forming a rich, dark crust. Adjust heat if the rub darkens too quickly.
- Rest Before Serving: Rest steaks for 5-10 minutes under foil before slicing to allow juices to redistribute, ensuring a tender and flavorful result.
Notes
This rub is naturally gluten-free. For a low-carb/keto option, use erythritol instead of brown sugar. For convenience, rub steaks in the morning and refrigerate, then bring to room temperature for an hour before cooking.
- Prep Time: 65 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Seasoning
- Method: Searing
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 Tbsp (15 g) rub
- Calories: 15 calories
- Sugar: 1.2 g
- Sodium: 460 mg
- Fat: 0 g
- Saturated Fat: 0 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 0 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 4 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 0 g
- Cholesterol: 0 mg
Keywords: steak seasoning, coffee rub, smoky flavor, easy steak, family friendly, gluten-free, keto option, high-protein