Coffee Rubbed Steak Tacos (Printable Version)

Tender grilled steak rubbed with coffee and spices, served with fresh cabbage, salsa, and avocado in warm tortillas.

# Needed Ingredients:

→ Coffee Rub

01 - 2 tbsp finely ground coffee (medium roast, unflavored)
02 - 1 tbsp brown sugar
03 - 1 tsp smoked paprika
04 - 1 tsp ground cumin
05 - 1 tsp chili powder
06 - 1/2 tsp garlic powder
07 - 1/2 tsp onion powder
08 - 1/2 tsp kosher salt
09 - 1/2 tsp freshly ground black pepper

→ Steak

10 - 1 lb flank steak or skirt steak
11 - 1 tbsp olive oil

→ Tacos

12 - 8 small corn or flour tortillas, warmed
13 - 1 cup shredded red cabbage
14 - 1/2 cup pico de gallo or fresh salsa
15 - 1 avocado, sliced
16 - 1/4 cup fresh cilantro leaves
17 - 1 lime, cut into wedges
18 - Optional: crumbled queso fresco or cotija cheese

# Steps:

01 - Combine all coffee rub ingredients in a small bowl and mix thoroughly.
02 - Pat steak dry with paper towels. Rub olive oil over both sides, then press coffee rub evenly onto the meat. Let rest at room temperature for 10 minutes.
03 - Preheat a grill or grill pan over medium-high heat.
04 - Grill steak for 4 to 5 minutes per side to achieve medium-rare or desired doneness. Transfer to a cutting board and allow to rest for 5 minutes.
05 - Slice the steak thinly against the grain.
06 - Place sliced steak in warmed tortillas. Top with shredded cabbage, pico de gallo, avocado, cilantro, and cheese if desired. Serve with lime wedges.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • The coffee rub creates a surprising depth of flavor that makes people ask what your secret ingredient is.
  • Everything comes together in 30 minutes, which means you can serve impressive tacos on a weeknight without stress.
  • It's naturally dairy-free and endlessly customizable based on what you have in your fridge.
02 -
  • Don't skip the resting step after grilling—I learned this the hard way when I cut into a steak immediately and watched all the juices run onto the board instead of staying in the meat.
  • Grinding your own coffee for the rub is worth it if you can, because pre-ground coffee that's been sitting around tastes dusty compared to something fresh; a cheap coffee grinder is only $15.
  • The steak's grain direction matters more than you'd think—cutting against it makes each bite tender instead of stringy and chewy.
03 -
  • Make the dry rub the night before and store it in an airtight container—it actually improves as the flavors meld, and you can grab it anytime inspiration strikes.
  • If you don't have a grill, a screaming hot cast iron skillet works beautifully and sometimes gives even better crust than outdoor grills.
  • Double the rub recipe and keep it on hand for chicken breasts, pork chops, or even roasted vegetables—it's that versatile.
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