With Memorial Day Weekend upon us, that means grilling season is beginning soon for many of you, if it hasn’t already begun!
Do you use the same old tried and true recipes, perhaps passed down from family and friends? Or are you ever on the quest for something new to change things up?
If you’re a new recipe seeker or are bold enough to try something new, you’ve got to try this coffee rub recipe using Cusa Coffee that’s just perfect for your next BBQ.
About our Coffee Rub Recipe
Believe it or not, instant coffee makes the perfect rub ingredient for two key reasons. First, it mimics the tannins in wine and tea and acts as a tenderizer for meat, which translates to flavorful and juicy. Second, because coffee grounds themselves can burn on the grill, instant coffee's ability to meld right into the surface of whatever you’re grilling means it contributes flavor and tenderness rather than char and burn.
Sounds awesome, right? The best part is you don’t need any fancy ingredients - this is a rub you can make and immediately use at home!
It goes best with beef (especially brisket), but works with other meats as well as veggies and even fruit! That’s because it can withstand both low and slow and hot and fast. And in case you’re wondering if your meal will end up tasting like coffee, don’t worry. The coffee will contribute a slightly bitter, underlying earthy flavor, especially on veggies and fruit that don’t absorb it into their surface as much. But with meat, the coffee in this rub will do more to tenderize than dominate flavor.
Cusa Coffee Rub Recipe Ingredients:
- 3 sticks Dark Roast Cusa Coffee
- 2 tablespoons coarse or sea salt
- 2 tablespoons garlic powder
- 1-2 tablespoons ground paprika (spicy or mild)
- 1 tablespoon coarsely ground black pepper
- 1 tablespoon ground coriander
- 1 tablespoon ground cumin
- 1 tablespoon onion powder
- 1 tablespoon chili powder (balance with with the heat of your paprika)
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cayenne (optional)
- 1 teaspoon ground mustard (optional)
- 2 teaspoons brown sugar (optional for sweet flavor)
Directions:
Mix all ingredients in a bowl, using a whisk or fork to break up any clumps. Store in an airtight container for up to a month (if you can keep it around that long!).
Protip: Don’t have all the above ingredients? Don’t run out to buy them just yet. Try making this rub with whatever you have on-hand and even experimenting with other spices.
