Coffee.
The elixir of life.
The morning go juice.
The stuff dreams are made of.
A steak marinade.
Wait….what?
The Art of a Coffee Marinated Steak
Are you ready to elevate your steak game to new heights?
I want to talk about the fascinating world of a coffee-marinated steak. This often overlooked cooking technique is not only a culinary delight but also a journey into the realm of unique flavors and tender textures.
Why Coffee?
Coffee isn’t just a morning beverage. It is an afternoon beverage. It is an evening beverage. But I am stating the obvious.
Did you know you can use coffee for cooking just like wine? Coffee adds complex richness and depth while boosting flavor in many dishes.
With its rich, robust flavor profile, it contains compounds that work wonders on meat. The natural acidity and subtle bitterness of coffee complement the savory notes of steak, creating a harmonious blend of flavors.
Most coffee varieties are acidic and are generally rated around a five on the pH scale. This acidity level is essential to note because it replicates tannins in wine. Both help tenderize the meat and create a depth of flavor when used as a marinade resulting in a succulent and tender steak.
For best results, you can prepare and marinate the steak the night before you cook it. Just make sure to keep marinating it in the refrigerator.
It is especially good for steak or pork.
The beauty of coffee marinade lies in its versatility. It pairs very well with various cuts of steak and can be adapted to suit individual tastes by adjusting the strength of the coffee and the other flavor components. Whether it's a family barbecue or an intimate dinner, coffee-marinated steak is sure to captivate the palates of your guests and leave a lasting impression.
There are many different coffee marinades out there. This one is simple and very adaptable. Try it and experiment with your favorite spices or even juices. Different roasts and the coffee’s country of origin will make a difference too. Keep in mind the flavor notes of the coffee you pick.
For instance, The brown sugar in this recipe adds just enough sweetness to play off the earthy coffee and cumin notes. I did add cumin to this recipe. I had to do some fiddling!
Let me know how you change it and what your results are with your favs. I look forward to hearing what y’all come up with using the magic of coffee.
Coffee Marinated Steak Ingredients
For the coffee marinade
- 2 tsp onion powder
- 2 tsp garlic powder
- 2 tsp brown sugar
- 1 tsp paprika
- 1 tsp cumin
- 1 tsp black pepper
- 1 cup strong brewed coffee (room temperature)
- 2 tbsp coconut aminos
- 2 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
- 2 tbsp Champagne vinegar
For the steak
- 2 pounds steak
- Coffee marinade
- Sea salt
- Black pepper
- Butter
- Cooking oil
How to Make Coffee Marinated Steak
- Make the coffee marinade by combining dry ingredients (onion powder, garlic powder, brown sugar, cumin, paprika, and black pepper) in a bowl. Whisk wet ingredients with dry ingredients until combined.
- Place steak in a large zipper bag and pour marinade.
- Marinate for 4-5 hours in the refrigerator. Overnight is great too.
- Bring steak to room temperature for about 30 minutes.
- Season steak with salt and pepper and pan-sear steak over medium-high heat. Cook to your desired doneness.
- Cut against the grain and enjoy!