Espresso Rubbed Ribeye Steaks
Rubbed with finely ground coffee and a bit of cocoa powder, these
Espresso Rubbed Ribeye Steaks are mouth-wateringly delicious!
This post may contain paid links. For more information, please see our disclosure policy.
Due cappuccini, per favore! A couple of years ago, my wife and I spent almost 2 weeks wandering across Italy for our honeymoon. It was one of the most amazing trips ever. I’m a Roman history buff, so I jump at any opportunity to stand amongst the ruins and remnants of ancient Rome. My wife’s family is from Italy, and while they’ve lost touch with their Italian relatives over the generations, it was still a cool experience for her to visit Italy. And then there was the food. Oh, I could (and have) spend entire posts talking about the food alone! But today is the cappuccino.
The first morning in Italy, we started the day with two coffees at our hotel. Then we quickly learned that we could order cappuccinos…err, cappuccini…for breakfast. I’m pretty sure I drank my weight in cappuccini over the next several weeks. My wife and I have been lucky enough to take several trips to Europe in recent years, and every time we come back in awe of the delicious cappuccini. Sure, I could drive over to Starbucks and order a cappuccino every morning. But I don’t. We finally bit the bullet a couple of weeks ago and order one of those super-automatic coffee machines. The kind that grinds the beans for each cup. And yes, the kind that can make a cappuccino with just a single touch. Needless to say, I’ve been well caffeinated lately.
Espresso Rubbed Ribeye Steaks
Espresso Rubbed Ribeye SteaksBut espresso ground coffee is good for more than just delicious cuppuccini. In fact, coffee makes for a great steak rub. Yup, the coffee and cocoa in the spice rub really complement the richness of grilled steak. Trust me here. I know it sounds a bit odd, but it totally works! The coffee and cocoa flavors aren’t particularly noticeable in the finished steak. Instead, the flavors meld together to produce a tasty, seasoned steak. And for dessert? Perhaps a slice of this Cappuccino Cheesecake is in order!
If you have the ability to grind espresso beans at home, then just grind the beans until they are very fine. Alternatively, espresso powder [aff. link] is a great choice when it comes to steak rubs…and espresso powder is great for baking, too!
Did you make these Espresso Rubbed Ribeye Steaks at home? Leave a comment, or snap a photo and tag me on Instagram (@Spicedblog). I’d love to see your version!
Espresso Rubbed Ribeye Steaks
Ingredients
For the Espresso Rub
- 1 Tbsp finely ground espresso
- 1 tsp unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1 tsp ancho chile powder
- 1/2 Tbsp paprika
- 1/2 Tbsp brown sugar
- 1 tsp dry mustard
- 1 tsp kosher salt
- 1 tsp black pepper
- 1 tsp granulated garlic
- 1/2 tsp dried oregano
For the Rib-Eyes
- 4 boneless rib-eye steaks each one approximately 1 1/4” to 1 ½” thick
- grapeseed or canola oil
Instructions
- Combine all of the ingredients for the Espresso Rub in a small bowl; mix together until well combined.
- Brush one side of each rib-eye with grapeseed or canola oil. Rub approximately 1/4 of the Espresso Rub into the oiled side of each rib-eye.
- Cover lightly and let sit at room temperature for 45-60 minutes.
- Preheat a gas or charcoal grill to high heat.
- Place steaks on grill rub side down. Close cover and grill for 2 minutes.
- Flip steaks, close cover and grill for 2 more minutes.
- Turn the grill off completely and let the steaks roast for 5-8 more minutes, depending on thickness of steaks and personal preference. (Note: Try not to open the grill too often during this stage as it will cause the grill to cool off too quickly.)
- Remove steaks from grill and let rest for 5 minutes before serving.
Looking for more tasty steak recipes? Check out these other favorites, too:
Bacon-Wrapped Steak with Blue Cheese Butter
Steak Sliders with Blue Cheese Butter and Grilled Mushrooms
Grilling troll, this time you have outdone yourself. Seriously, coffee and steak together? I’m lost for words…
#wolfpackeats #GrllingTrollisAwesome
Haha…thank you, Alpha Wolf! I’m determined to get the most out of this grilling season…in fact, I may just keep on grilling straight through the Winter. #SnowWhatSnow?
I did a sponsored post recipe very similar to this last year. Rubbing caffeine onto my rib-eye was a LIFE CHANGER for me. It’s where my life took a dramatic step into the “I love you Mr. meat… I pledge my eternal devotion to you… will you marry me?” category. I’m sure you understand <3
I totally understand your eternal devotion and love for meat….especially meat that involves coffee and cocoa! Now if we could only cover that bad boy with cheese, then it would be the perfect Chef Becca meal! 🙂
Oh dear – now I am scuurred to go to Italy – I see myself drinking my weight (and then some) in “cappuccini”! Cocoa and coffee on steak??? Dang – this might probably be the only way I would eat steak!
Haha…thanks, Shashi! Who would’ve known that cocoa and coffee combine to make a great steak rub?? (Not to mention a great drink, too!)
Glad to see you are still outside at the grill! Totally living up to your GrillingTroll name hahaha. This looks legit! Love me a good ribeye… and this rub looks sick!
Thanks, Chris! After last winter’s marathon snow season, I am determined to keep on grilling until my fingers…err, paws…are frozen!
I still have yet to rub meat with coffee grounds…silly me! Good thing you are here to remind me of the good things in life…like cappuccini. I am a European espresso fan myself. Have I found a place State-side that tastes half as good? Nope. Guess we’ll have to keep going to Europe! Pinned!
I know! What is it about European coffee?? That stuff is amazing. The new coffee maker does a pretty good job, but there’s still nothing like a cappuccino while sitting in Rome. Now I want a cappuccino. Meet me in Rome in a couple of hours??
Absolutely awesome, love the flavors!!! It’s 10AM but nothing sounds better than this. WOW! #wolfpackeats
Thanks, Matt! Who says you can’t have steak for breakfast?? I say go for it!
I don’t eat steak nearly enough and this rub sounds amazing. I bet it would be really good with some sweet potatoes too.
Oooo…sweet potatoes would be an awesome side dish for this grilled steak, Dannii! Steak is definitely one of those special occasion meals around here, too. And now I’m craving sweet potatoes. Thanks a lot! 🙂
I love coffee and I love steak and you managed to marry them together. Big props buddy.
As much as I loved the coffee in Italy (cappuccinos in the morning, espresso during the day and the post dinner cappuccino), please tell me you ate gelato multiple times a day. Bonus if you had the cappuccino flavour. 😉
Thanks, mate! Are you kidding me? We ate gelato like it was going out of style…and then we chased that gelato with cappuccino! It was a never-ending cycle of awesomeness! 🙂