This is a cowboy steak rub recipe mix that you will not believe. It's a delicious steak rub that combines sweet, smoky, and spicy flavors with a hint of coffee - yep, it totally has coffee in it! And, it's so tasty!
Incredibly versatile Cowboy Steak Rub Recipe that can be used on almost anything.
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❤️ Why You'll Love Our Recipe
- We've made and used this cowboy rub recipe for years with loads of rave reviews from friends and family!
- Adding this rub to each side of the steak creates a flavorful crust on the protein as it cooks. (It's great on chicken and pork, too!)
Mr. Juggling Act and the kids love a good grilled steak! And who can blame them? I created a dry rub that they all agree makes the steaks taste bold, sweet, and smoky.
Some steak rubs use cocoa powder as a secret ingredient but this recipe uses ground coffee. There is just enough acid from the coffee to break down the steak and help it be a bit more tender.
I make a lot of my own spice blends, like this Montreal Seasoning Mix. I created this Cowboy Steak Rub Recipe one day when I was putting together all my favorite spices.
Why it tastes amazing: The paprika and cumin add a smoky undertone, the cayenne pepper and chili powder add the kick. The brown sugar caramelizes on the meat when it cooks and balances out the bitterness of the coffee. The coriander and mustard round out the rub with brighter flavors.
☕Why is Coffee Good on Steak?
Some people have been known to soak their steak in coffee before grilling it. This makes the steak more tender and gives it a deeper flavor profile. The coffee grounds in my rub are another option if you don't want to soak your steak. Coffee is acidic. It is those acidic tones that pair well with the savory notes of red meat.
Remember to use REGULAR coffee, not flavored.
🧂Ingredients
For this rub recipe, you'll need just a handful of spices. And I bet you have most of them on hand already.
- Chili Powder
- Ground Coffee
- Paprika
- Cumin
- Brown Sugar
- Kosher Salt
- Dry Mustard
- Coriander
- Black Pepper
- Cayenne Pepper
Note: If you do not have a bag of ground coffee on hand, you can use two K-cups of ground coffee instead.
For a list of some of my favorite items to use when cooking, and why I chose them, please visit my Kitchen Resource page.
🎁DIY Spice Mix Gifts
I make the Cowboy Steak Rub in big batches and package it in small jars for friends and family during the holidays especially. Last month when I was out in CA to visit my sister for her bridal shower, she told me how my she and my now brother-in-law were enjoying this mixture. But it was almost gone and she needed the recipe ASAP to make more!
🫙How To Use Cowboy Steak Rub
Just because it is steak rub doesn't mean you have to only use it on steak. This rub tastes incredible on grilled chicken breasts, chicken wings, and pork chops.
Try rubbing pork loin with the homemade rub and add a little bit of water to a slow cooker for the most amazing dinner. Give this Petite Sirloin a try - it's truly so good!
I absolutely adore it in our Cowboy Burgers, it's divine in this Cowboy Corn Casserole, and makes these Cowboy Baked Beans really special!
You can add it to this slow cooker cauliflower or our cowboy cornbread casserole recipe for lots of flavor, too.
📋Variations
- You can add less sugar if you are trying to cut down.
- The only other spices I didn't add that I thought about adding later, is garlic powder and onion powder. But with so many flavors already happening, I didn't think the rub needed it. You can try adding a tablespoon or two in and see what you think.
🥩Cowboy Marinade
Beyond using this rub on meats, you can also use this spice mix with some lemon juice and olive oil for a flavorful marinade or salad dressing.
⭐ Ang's Tips
- If you do not have a bag of ground coffee on hand, you can use two K-cups of ground coffee instead.
- You can choose to remove the brown sugar for a keto-friendly rub!
- I do not recommend using instant coffee because the granules are so big in comparison to the rest of the seasoning ingredients. However, if you put the instant coffee granules into a food processor and pulse it until it's more of a powder, it would work well.
🥄Equipment
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- Large Mixing Bowl
- Dry Measuring Cups
- Measuring Spoons and Whisk
- Canning Jar Funnel - optional but makes transferring the spice mix to jars super easy
- Mason Jar with Lid (for storing)
Be sure to check out my Juggling Act Mama Storefront on Amazon where you'll find all kinds of great products that will make your life easier! Thanks so much for being a part of Juggling Act Mama ❤
😋Similar Recipes
Here are more homemade rubs and marinades for your next meal.
- Montreal Chicken Seasoning Mix
- Basil Salt
- Homemade Italian Seasoning
- Mild Taco Seasoning
- Homemade Lemon Pepper
You'll also love our Mediterranean spice blend, pork rub, and homemade steak seasoning!
❓Cowboy Steak Rub Recipe FAQ
30 minutes is enough time for the seasonings and spices to start flavoring the steak. However, you can leave it on overnight for best results.
Drizzle 2 tablespoons of olive oil over 1 pound of steak. Rub in ¼ cup of the spice mixture and marinate at least 30 minutes, up to overnight. Grill to desired doneness.
Good quality beef makes a big difference. Here are some cuts that are particularly good on the grill:
* Top sirloin
* T-bone
* Filet mignon (or petite sirloin for a less expensive option)
* New York strip steak
* Rib-eye
* Porterhouse
Personally, I love sirloin rump tips and petite sirloin on the grill.
Beef should always be cooked to an internal temperature of 145-degrees F according to FoodSafety.gov. Remember you always want to allow your beef to rest for three minutes.
This definitely makes enough to give as gifts. Once your friends and family taste this rub they will want some for their own pantry! This recipe makes approximately 2 cups.
Cowboy Steak Rub
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Ingredients
- ¾ cup chili powder
- ¼ cup ground coffee (or about 2 k-cups)
- ¼ cup paprika
- ¼ cup ground cumin
- ¼ cup brown sugar
- 2 teaspoons salt
- 2 teaspoons dry mustard
- 2 teaspoons ground coriander
- 2 teaspoons fresh ground black pepper
- 1 teaspoon cayenne pepper
Instructions
- In a small bowl, combine all the ingredients and whisk gently to combine.¾ cup chili powder, ¼ cup ground coffee, ¼ cup paprika, ¼ cup ground cumin, ¼ cup brown sugar, 2 teaspoons salt, 2 teaspoons dry mustard, 2 teaspoons ground coriander, 2 teaspoons fresh ground black pepper, 1 teaspoon cayenne pepper
- Package the mixture in an airtight container until ready to use.
To Use the Steak Rub
- Drizzle 2 tablespoons of olive oil over 1 pound of steak.
- Rub in ¼ cup of the spice mixture and marinate at least 30 minutes, up to overnight.
- Grill to desired doneness.
Equipment
- Mason Jar with Lid (for storing)
Video
Notes
Yield: Approx 2 cups
How long do you leave dry rub on a steak? 30 minutes is enough time for the seasonings and spices to start flavoring the steak. However, you can leave it on overnight for best results. Be sure to season steak on both sides. What are the best cuts of steak to grill? Good quality beef makes a big difference. Here are some cuts that are particularly good on the grill:- Top sirloin
- T-bone
- Filet mignon (or petite sirloin for a less expensive option)
- New York strip steak
- Rib eye
- Porterhouse
Sami says
This is great! I've never heard of this fun little steak rub before but I love the idea of adding a hint of coffee! Brilliant!
Thanks
Ang Paris says
Thanks Sami! I hope you get the chance to try it soon!
john says
I tried this and it was really good. The flavor is so good!
John
Ang Paris says
Glad you liked it John! Thanks for taking the time to come back and let me know what you thought!
Janine Horn says
I made this for my brother and he liked it so much that I made more so he could take some home.
Thank you!!!
annette says
I like the recipe for cowboy spice, thank you! I always have some in my pantry now.
keri @ shaken together says
A friend of ours swears by a rub for fish that has coffee in it - love seeing it in this rub. Can't wait to try this!
ColleenB.-Tx. says
Thank You for the steak Rub recipe. Son-in-laws will absolutely love it.
Ang Paris says
Thanks for your sweet note, Colleen!
Enjoy 🙂
Ang Paris says
Hi Mark! Thanks for visiting 🙂
I hope you love it!
Ang Paris says
Please be sure to let me know how you like it! 🙂
Gina M says
I made this so I could use it in your petite sirloin recipe and it was awesome. My boyfriend and I really like it a lot!!!
Gina
Ang Paris says
I saw your other comment on the steak recipe - I'm so glad you liked it!
Thanks for letting me know 🙂
Jan says
Love it so much, I made your Cowboy Spice Mix for Christmas gifts this year.
Ang Paris says
Hi Jan, you just made my day! Thank you so much for letting me know that 🙂 I hope all your recipients love it as much as we do. ❤
Jonathan A Franzel says
This rub is fantastic! I have used it for steak and chicken, but most surprisingly it is great as taco seasoning.
Ang Paris says
Thanks so much for your kind note Jonathan! Enjoy!!
Angelia says
I must admit I was a little skeptical about coffee in this rub never heard of it BUT comments swayed me so I went by the recipe and ONLY omitted cayenne pepper seasoning I love it BUT hubby doesn't like spicy foods. I just replaced the cayenne with garlic seasoning. So good I like it when I try a recipe and it WORKS unlike some, Thanks for sharing a keeper. Using on my Ribeyes for Valentines day Dinner for two tomorrow..
Rita says
This sounds SO YUMMY!! Does the ground coffee make it gritty though? Wonder if instant (less amount) would work in it?
Ang Paris says
Hi Rita, I don't find it to be gritty at all, but you could always toss the mixture into a coffee grinder or food processor to grind it a bit finer if you like.
I've been using this wonderful blend for years and everyone always raves about it 🙂
Marsha says
Cab I use instant coffee?
Ang Paris says
I've never tried it with instant coffee so I'm not really sure Marsha.
Claudette Hann says
I always buy the Weber seassons. I pierce my steaks before adding.. am I suppose to?
Ang Paris says
Hi Claudette - piercing steak before you marinate a steak is great for tenderizing. 🙂
Chip says
This spice rub is so good! So far I've used it on sirloin, steak tips, and next I want to try it on ribeye steaks.Thanks!