Homemade coffee dry rub seasoning adds a bold, savory, and spicy flavor to your grilled vegetables, tofu, veggie burgers, and more! The combination of coffee’s earthy bitterness with the smoky, sweet, and spicy elements in this rub will transform any of your grilled vegetables into a plant-based masterpiece.
Do you drink coffee? Do you like to grill? STOP! Don’t you dare throw away those coffee grounds! Because what I’m about to show will change your life. OK, a bit dramatic but it’s still kinda cool. Continue reading…
I love spices and sauces because they add a depth of flavor to all your dishes. My favorite is this copycat Lipton onion soup mix and it was the inspiration for this recipe – in some weird way.
If you’re a weekend barbecue pitmaster then you know that a great rub takes a dish from ordinary to extraordinary, infusing it with complex savory flavors, and tantalizing aromas. If you’re looking to add a unique twist to your grilling arsenal, it’s time you tried this homemade BBQ coffee rub seasoning.
This simple and versatile blend combines the rich and robust flavors of coffee with an array of spices to create a tantalizing rub that will elevate your grilled veggies to new heights.
I know most people think dry rubs are only for steak, beef, chicken, ribs, or brisket. But, I’m here to tell you this amazing concoction of coffee and spices will blow your mind. And, it will elevate your plant-based grill game.
Get ready to awaken your taste buds and impress your guests with this exceptional recipe!
In This Post
Does this coffee rub recipe taste like coffee?
Surprisingly not as much as you would think. I’m not going to say it doesn’t but it by no means overpowers your dish. It’s more “earthy” than coffee…at least that’s what I think. OK, stop stalling. Let’s do this!
Ingredients
These spices come together to make one delicious coffee spice rub that will do things with your food you didn’t know were possible. Here’s what you’ll need:
- finely ground dark roast coffee beans (use a medium roast for a milder flavor)
- brown sugar (for a touch of sweetness)
- garlic powder (enhances savory notes)
- onion powder (adds a subtle sweetness)
- smoked paprika (adds a smoky element)
- chili powder (adjust according to your spice preference)
- ground black pepper (for a hint of heat)
- kosher salt (balances flavors)
- cayenne pepper (for added heat)
For an added extra depth of flavor, adding one tablespoon of cocoa powder is an excellent addition to this recipe.
How to make BBQ coffee dry rub seasoning
Making this delicious rub is as easy as dumping everything into a bowl and mixing it all together. Yes, that’s it. Simple, right?
Prepare your ingredients: Start by gathering all the necessary spices and measuring them accurately for the perfect balance of flavors.
Grind the coffee beans: If you have whole coffee beans, grind them finely to achieve the desired consistency. You can ALSO use pre-ground coffee, instant coffee granules, or even leftover coffee grounds from your morning coffee.
Mix the ingredients: In a small bowl, add all of the ingredients and use a whisk or spoon to thoroughly mix everything until well combined.
Store the rub: Transfer the coffee rub seasoning to an airtight container or a jar with a tight-fitting lid. Store it in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight. Properly stored, the rub can last for several months.
How do I use this coffee dry rub seasoning?
It’s perfect for enhancing the flavors of grilled vegetables, tofu, or even portobello mushrooms. Simply sprinkle the rub over your preferred veggies of choice before grilling for a smoky and savory twist.
Congratulations! By creating your own homemade BBQ coffee rub seasoning, you have unlocked a realm of culinary possibilities.
More spice blends and rubs
If you like seasonings, spices, and rubs check out these recipes:
Recipes to try using this coffee spice rub
Here are a few of my favorite foods to use with this coffee rub recipe:
The recipes are always free, but your donations and tips help to keep this site running.
CLICK here to donate and show your support!
Homemade BBQ Coffee Dry Rub Seasoning
- Total Time5 minutes
- Yield16 servings 1x
- DietVegan
Homemade coffee dry rub seasoning adds a bold, savory, and spicy flavor to your grilled vegetables, tofu, veggie burgers, and more! The combination of coffee’s earthy bitterness with the smoky, sweet, and spicy elements in this rub will transform any of your grilled vegetables into a plant-based masterpiece.
Ingredients
- ¼ cup finely ground dark roast coffee beans
- ¼ cup brown sugar
- 2 Tablespoons garlic powder
- 1 Tablespoon onion powder
- 1 Tbsp smoked paprika
- 1 Tbsp chili powder
- 2 tsp ground black pepper
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- ½ teaspoon cayenne pepper
Instructions
Prepare your ingredients: Start by gathering all the necessary spices and measuring them accurately for the perfect balance of flavors.
Grind the coffee beans: If you have whole coffee beans, grind them finely to achieve the desired consistency. Alternatively, you can use pre-ground coffee or even used coffee grounds.
Mix the ingredients: In a small bowl, add all of the ingredients and use a whisk or spoon to thoroughly mix everything until well combined.
Store the rub: Transfer the coffee rub seasoning to an airtight container or a jar with a tight-fitting lid. Store it in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight. Properly stored, the rub can last for several months.
Notes
If you don’t want to use fresh ground coffee other option would be ground coffee, instant coffee granules, or even leftover coffee grounds from your morning coffee.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 Tablespoon
- Calories: 21
- Sugar: 3.2 g
- Sodium: 94.1 mg
- Fat: 0.2 g
- Carbohydrates: 5 g
- Fiber: 0.5 g
- Protein: 0.4 g
- Cholesterol: 0 mg
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cuisine: American
Hi Shane, how would you use this dry rub for the grilled tofu or teriyaki skewers? Would you add it to the marinade (maybe 1 Tbsp or so?), sprinkle it before, during or after cooking or all of the above? As you can see I’m not a grill master by any stretch of the imagination. It sounds like it would be heavenly, I’m just not sure when to add it.
Thanks!
Hi, Joan! Marinate the tofu, first, then sprinkle on the rub right before grilling.
Homemade coffee dry rub seasoning adds a bold, savory, and spicy flavor to your grilled vegetables, tofu, veggie burgers, and more! The combination of coffee’s earthy bitterness with the smoky, sweet, and spicy elements in this rub will transform any of your grilled vegetables into a plant-based masterpiece.