BBQ

How to Make a Barbecue Coffee Rub

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The long-awaited arrival of summer coupled with the long evenings getting warmer can mean only one thing: it's National Barbecue Week!

Running from July 2nd - July 11th to ensure two full weekends of BBQ brilliance, National Barbecue Week has been celebrated by hungry Brits since its inception in 1997. A lot's changed in the nation's approach to barbies in the last 24 years, with the types of foods being prepared high on that list. Burgers, sausages and kebabs will always be favourites but veggies, meat-free alternatives and unusual ingredients have all become commonplace at your average garden cook-out. 

One ingredient that continues to be overlooked, however, is coffee.

Although some may say that coffee and smoky meats aren't exactly obvious bed fellows, we beg to differ. And after you've tried our incredible Barbecue Coffee Rub recipe, we think you'll agree.

What is a Rub?

A rub is a mixture of spices and/or herbs that is applied to meats before cooking to add flavour. Unlike marinades, which need to be left covering food for several hours, rubs season meats quickly and are easy to prepare, making them perfect for impromptu BBQs. They also add texture and help give meats those delicious, dark crusts so beloved by barbie aficionados, especially if cooked at a low heat for a long time.

Why Use Coffee?

The first thing to say is that a coffee-based rub WON'T make your food taste like an espresso. It will, however, add a deep, rich, earthy flavour that enhances the savoury flavours already at play. Because coffee is highly acidic, it will also help tenderise your meat, making it juicier and less chewy.

Barbecue Coffee Rub Recipe

This rub can be used on any meat but works particularly well with beef. To make the rub, you will need:

  • ¼ cup of freshly ground coffee

  • Two tablespoons of brown sugar

  • Two tablespoons of garlic powder

  • Two tablespoons of onion powder

  • Two tablespoons of cayenne pepper (this can be omitted if you don't like spicy food)

  • Two tablespoons of paprika (normal, sweet or smoked)

  • One tablespoon of ground cumin

  • One tablespoon of kosher salt

Method

In a bowl, mix the ingredients together thoroughly. If you have one, transfer the rub to a shaker to make it easier to apply. Then pat your meat dry with a paper towel to remove as much moisture from its surface as possible.

If you want, you can add a binding agent - be creative here.

We love smothering beef, lamb or pork in French’s mustard or even a generous helping of Worcestershire Sauce! Next, apply the rub all over the meat. If you don't have a shaker, simply rub it in with your hands. How much you want to use is a personal choice but one tablespoon per pound of meat is a good rule of thumb. If in doubt, be generous!

Although the rub can be applied just before cooking, the longer it sits on the meat, the more tender and flavourful it will become. Try to apply the rub at least an hour before cooking; if possible, do it the day before.

Put the rubbed meat on a plate, cover it with cling film or tin foil and place it in the fridge until you're ready to cook. Any leftover rub can be stored in an airtight container and left in the fridge for as long as six months.

Finally, barbecue or smoke the meat as usual but remember not to use any oil as it will spoil the crust.

What Coffee Should I Use?

Again, this really comes down to personal preference but, as a rule, dark roasts give a more robust flavour, whereas light roasts are more subtle.

If possible, use freshly ground coffee as it tenderises the meat quicker and more effectively than beans which aren't freshly ground. Instant/pre-ground coffee granules also work well.

If you do opt for freshly ground coffee, use a medium grind. Finely ground coffee is not a good idea as it is smaller than most of the other rub ingredients, so it will coat the meat first and prevent the other flavours from coming through. Coarse ground coffee, on the other hand, is too big and won't stick efficiently to the meat.

So there you have it. When it's time to impress the guests at your next BBQ, just bring out the coffee!

At Cafe2U, we offer a wide range of quality bagged coffee beans - and our baristas will be happy to grind it for you to use - so find your nearest van here and book a delivery today.

Father’s Day BBQ Tips and Recipes - with a Coffee Twist

Father's Day BBQ

Father’s Day is here and hopefully, if the weather is kind, it will be the perfect time to dust off the BBQ and start making some delicious meaty meals as a treat for our dear dads.

To help, we’ve shared some of our favourite BBQ tips and recipes - with a Cafe2U twist using our coffee expertise. From a specially made coffee BBQ sauce, to one of the best coffee rubs around that could take your Father’s Day BBQ to the next level!

New to the BBQ?

To start with the basics first… if you’re wanting to surprise your dad with a BBQ but aren’t sure about cooking on them - you can find the perfect tips for handling and preparing foods here.

In addition to this, here’s some of the basic utensils that you will need to properly tackle the grills:

  • Spatula

  • Grill mitts or oven gloves

  • Long handled tongs

  • Meat thermometer

  • Cooking tray

  • A comedy BBQ apron (not essential but it’s always a good laugh)

Rubs and Sauces

While it’s obviously fine to just grill the meat as it is, you can accentuate the flavour with marinades, sauces and rubs. Here’s one of our particular favourites:

Coffee BBQ Sauce

This homemade coffee rub is ideal if you want to add a little spice to your meat.

Coffee rub is wonderfully versatile and it’s perfect for almost all meat but especially beef. It can be made in just ten minutes and you can find the recipe here.

Don’t be afraid to experiment with other ingredients that aren’t included in their recipe - like rosemary, ginger, or nutmeg.

A Classic

This recipe shows you all the methods on how to make the perfect grilled burgers - from the shape, mixing and what you need to include to make a showstopping pattie. It’s the expert's guide to the best burger and a classic that can make any BBQ.

Something a Little Different…

If you’re looking to be indulgent and want something a bit different to really push the boat out - we recommend these bacon-wrapped cheese hot dogs. A simple and fun idea that incorporates the flavours from a cheeseburger and a hot dog - you can make these on a grill or a smoker and it’s a recipe that doesn’t require too many ingredients!

We hope you enjoy a relaxing Father’s Day using some of these recipes and in particular the coffee BBQ tips - make sure you share some of your Cafe2U inspired BBQs and your coffee creations with us on our social media channels!