Home » The Best Rub for Beef

The Best Rub for Beef

Grilled or smoked beef can hold up to some assertive flavors, but why overpower the beef when you can accentuate its natural flavors? This, my Best Rub For Beef, features coffee, plenty of black pepper, a touch of sweetness, and a kick from some chilis. The result is a beef rub so good, that you’ll want to grill with it all the time!

Coffee Rub in a jar.

This post may contain affiliate link(s). As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. See Disclosure.

I don’t like to overpower the flavor of the beef when I’m grilling, so I’ll either simply use Montreal Steak Seasoning or my go-to Best Beef Rub. I also won’t pay for rubs when they’re so easy to make at home.

The Backyard Table

An e-book titled "The Backyard Table: Recipes for Summer Cookouts" by Chef Jenn Allen is displayed on a tablet, featuring a bowl of potato salad on the cover.

Get it NOW and level up your outdoor dining! The Backyard Table - Recipes for Summer Cookouts features 34 of Chef Jenn's BEST recipes for outdoor eating and entertaining.

You'll get ad-free recipes like:

  • Grilled Corn Guacamole
  • Grilled French Onion Burgers
  • Deviled Egg Pasta Salad
  • Blueberry Grunt
  • and so many more!

Every recipe is created, tested and loved by Chef Jenn and her family - there's no AI here!

Get it now, at a special introductory price of $7.99. That's over 50 pages of foodie love at your fingertips!

Buy Now!

I have a big jar of this rub on hand for grilling, and I’ve never met a cut of beef it doesn’t pair perfectly with. It’s good on steaks, roasts, kabobs, and really anything that gets licked by flames. 

I’ve made dozens and dozens of batches of beef rubs to come up with the best, and this is it! Try it – I’m sure you’ll love it as much as I do!

Tri tip rubbed with best coffee rub.

What You’ll Love About  the Best Rub for Beef


  • The combination of coffee and spices and a touch of sweetness provides a deep, earthy flavor that’s unmatched.
  • The sugar in the rub helps the beef caramelize when the flame touches it, creating a lovely outer bark that’s irresistibly delicious! 
  • This rub is super easy to make, has no hard-to-find ingredients in it, and will keep in an airtight jar for months.

Ingredients

  • Black pepper
  • Brown sugar
  • Onion powder
  • Garlic powder
  • Instant coffee grounds
  • Ancho chili pepper
  • Cayenne pepper

How to Make the Best Rub for Beef with a Coffee Twist

  1. Combine all the ingredients in a bowl.
  2. Mix thoroughly to ensure an even distribution of flavors.
  3. Rub the mixture generously onto your beef, covering all sides.
  4. Let the beef sit with the rub for at least 30 minutes before cooking.
  5. Cook your beef as desired, and enjoy the burst of flavors!

Chef Jenn’s Tips

  • Always use fresh spices for the best flavor.
  • Adjust the cayenne pepper according to your heat preference.
  • For a stronger coffee flavor, use freshly ground coffee beans instead of instant.
  • This rub is not just for beef; try it on chicken or pork for a delightful twist.
  • Allow the rub to sit on the beef for at least 30 minutes to penetrate and flavor the meat deeply.

Recommended

Make It A Meal

Grilled beef rubbed with this Best Beef Rub pairs excellently with classic sides like smashed potatoes and grilled vegetables. For a heartier meal, consider serving it alongside warm, rustic bread or a fresh salad. The deep flavors of the rub also complement a glass of bold red wine.

Chef Jenn's Cookbook
50+ Smoker Recipes eBook

This full-color ebook cookbook features more than 50 of Chef Jenn’s tried, tested, and favorite smoker recipes! Enjoy:

  • Smoked Beef Kabobs
  • Smoked Chicken Thighs
  • Smoked Bacon-Wrapped Pork Stuffed Jalapeno Poppers
  • Smoked Spaghetti Squash with Herbs and so much more!
Buy Now

Storage

This beef rub can be stored in an airtight container in a cool, dry place for up to 6 months. For the freshest flavor, it’s best used within the first three months. While this rub is not typically used in quantities that require freezing, if you’ve prepared a large batch, you can freeze it in a sealed bag or container. Just be sure to let it thaw completely and give it a good stir before using it on your beef.

Coffee Rub in a jar with a spoon and pepper grinder nearby.

The Best Rub for Beef

Chef Jenn
5 from 4 votes

Ingredients
  

  • 1 tablespoon black pepper
  • 1 tablespoon brown sugar
  • 1 tablespoon instant coffee grounds
  • 2 teaspoons ancho chili powder or chili powder
  • 2 teaspooons onion powder
  • 2 teaspoons garlic powder
  • ½ teaspoon cayenne pepper

Instructions
 

  • Combine all the ingredients in a bowl.
  • Mix thoroughly to ensure an even distribution of flavors.
  • Rub the mixture generously onto your beef, covering all sides.
  • Let the beef sit with the rub for at least 30 minutes before cooking.
  • Cook your beef as desired, and enjoy the burst of flavors!

Notes

Chef Jenn’s Tips

  • Always use fresh spices for the best flavor.
  • Adjust the cayenne pepper according to your heat preference.
  • For a stronger coffee flavor, use freshly ground coffee beans instead of instant.
  • This rub is not just for beef; try it on chicken or pork for a delightful twist.
  • Allow the rub to sit on the beef for at least 30 minutes to penetrate and flavor the meat deeply.

A Note on Nutritional Information

Nutritional information for this recipe is provided as a courtesy and is calculated based on available online ingredient information. It is only an approximate value. The accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipe on this site cannot be guaranteed.

Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!
By