This Trader Joe’s Coffee Rub is a smoky, savory, and bold recipe, which is the perfect homemade copycat of the popular store-bought seasoning. This simple dry rub, with its blend of coffee, brown sugar, and spices, creates an incredible, dark crust on steak, brisket, or pork. It’s the ultimate secret weapon for your grilling and roasting, ready in just 5 minutes.
Jump to RecipeTrader Joe’s Coffee Rub Ingredients
- ¼ cup ground coffee (a medium-coarse grind of Trader Joe’s Medium Roast is ideal)
- 2 tbsp Trader Joe’s Garlic Powder
- 2 tbsp Trader Joe’s Onion Powder
- 2 tbsp Trader Joe’s Smoked Paprika
- 1 tbsp Trader Joe’s Dark Brown Sugar
- 1 tbsp ground cumin
- 1 tbsp kosher salt
- 2 tsp cayenne pepper (adjust to taste)
How To Make Trader Joe’s Coffee Rub
- Combine Ingredients: In a small bowl, measure and combine all the ingredients: ground coffee, garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, dark brown sugar, cumin, kosher salt, and cayenne pepper.
- Mix Thoroughly: Whisk the spices together thoroughly until the blend is a uniform color and all the ingredients, especially the brown sugar, are evenly distributed throughout the mix.
- Store for Later: Transfer the finished seasoning blend to a small, airtight jar or spice container. Store it in a cool, dark pantry.
- How to Use: For the best results, apply the rub generously to your meat at least an hour before cooking. Season from about 12 inches above the meat to ensure even coverage.
Recipe Tips
- How to get the best flavor and crust? The most important secret is the grind of your coffee. A medium-coarse grind will provide the best texture and help create a beautiful crust. A fine powder, like an espresso grind, can become bitter.
- Why add brown sugar? The brown sugar is a key ingredient. It doesn’t just add a hint of sweetness; it helps to balance the bitterness of the coffee and, most importantly, it caramelizes during cooking to create a delicious, dark crust.
- How to apply it like a pro? For an even coating, hold your hand with the rub about 12 inches above the surface of the meat and sprinkle it down. This allows the rub to fall more evenly than if you sprinkle it from close up.
- Can I make a big batch? Absolutely! This recipe is perfect for scaling up. Simply double or triple the ingredients, mix them well, and store the blend in a larger airtight container to have on hand for all your grilling needs.
What To Serve This Rub On
While this is the perfect seasoning for a classic beef steak or brisket, its savory, smoky, and slightly sweet flavor is incredibly versatile. It is also fantastic on:
- A whole pork butt for pulled pork.
- Thick-cut pork chops.
- Rubbed on a whole roasted chicken.
- Mixed into ground beef for gourmet burgers.
How To Store Coffee Rub
- Pantry: Store the seasoning blend in a tightly sealed jar in a cool, dark place such as a cupboard or pantry. It will remain fresh and potent for up to 6 months.
Coffee Rub Nutrition Facts
- Calories: 206kcal
- Carbohydrates: 44g
- Protein: 7g
- Fat: 3g
Nutrition information is estimated for the entire batch of rub.
FAQs
As written with 2 teaspoons of cayenne, this rub has a definite spicy kick. You can easily adjust the heat level by starting with just ½ teaspoon of cayenne for a mild warmth and adding more to suit your personal taste.
Yes, absolutely. This is a bold rub that stands up beautifully to the high heat of grilling. It’s fantastic on chicken thighs or a whole spatchcocked chicken.
It is not recommended. Instant coffee has a very fine, powdery texture that will not create the right kind of crust and can easily burn, resulting in a bitter flavor. A medium-coarse ground coffee is essential.
Try More Recipes:
- Trader Joe’s Brookie Recipe
- Trader Joe’s Cookie Butter Blondies Recipe
- Trader Joe’s Beer Bread Recipe
Trader Joe’s Coffee Rub Recipe
Course: Side DIshCuisine: AmericanDifficulty: Easy1
servings5
minutes206
kcalA simple, homemade copycat of the famous Trader Joe’s condiment, this coffee rub is a perfect blend of smoky, sweet, and spicy flavors for steak, brisket, and pork.
Ingredients
¼ cup ground coffee (medium-coarse)
2 tbsp each of garlic powder, onion powder, & smoked paprika
1 tbsp each of dark brown sugar, ground cumin, & kosher salt
2 tsp cayenne pepper
Directions
- In a small bowl, combine all the ingredients: ground coffee, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, brown sugar, cumin, salt, and cayenne.
- Whisk together thoroughly until the blend is a uniform color and all ingredients are evenly distributed.
- To use, apply the rub generously to your meat at least one hour before cooking.
- Store the remaining rub in an airtight container in a cool, dark place for up to 6 months.
Notes
- The TJ’s Shortcut: For the most authentic copycat, use Trader Joe’s Medium Roast or Bold & Heavy Bodied ground coffee as your base.
- Grind Matters: The most important tip for a perfect crust is to use a medium-coarse ground coffee, not a fine espresso powder, which can taste bitter.
- Season Ahead: For the deepest flavor penetration, apply the rub to your meat at least one hour (and up to 24 hours) before you plan to cook it.
- Season from a Height: To get a perfectly even coating like a professional chef, sprinkle the rub onto your meat from about 12 inches above.
