Grill/Barbecue

A Cup of Coffee Barbecue Sauced Steak

by:
April 30, 2013
4.7
3 Ratings
A Cup of Coffee Barbecue Sauced Steak
  • Prep time 1 hour
  • Cook time 10 minutes
  • Makes enough sauce for 2 big steaks
Author Notes

Extra coffee, just brewed, is always a "staple" in our household. This barbecue sauce is a breeze to make, and qualifies as a pantry meal because the ingredients are readily handy in most home kitchens. Fresh orange juice can be replaced with good store bought juice - I have done it many times. The smarty pants trick is steeping the ancho chile directly into the hot coffee, and blending all the ingredients to make a great BBQ sauce that goes well with beef, chicken, pork, and even grilled portobello mushrooms. The recipe can easily be doubled and tripled. —Bevi

Test Kitchen Notes

The barbecue sauce was tasty, though it didn't have the kick I expected. Leaving the steak to marinate overnight would give it more heat. I suggest an additional sprinkle of salt before placing it on the grill! It's sweet and tangy and barbecue sauce fans will love it. —feastathome

What You'll Need
Ingredients
  • 1 cup brewed coffee
  • 1 dried ancho chile, stem and seeds removed
  • 2 tablespoons brown sugar
  • 2 tablespoons tomato paste
  • 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
  • 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt or sea salt
  • 2 tablespoons Meyer lemon juice (use a regular lemon if Meyers aren't available)
  • 1/4 cup fresh orange juice
  • dash cayenne pepper
  • two 1 1/2-inch thick steaks, prime sirloin
Directions
  1. Place the ancho chile in the hot coffee and allow to steep for about 20 minutes. Add the rest of the sauce ingredients. Simmer on low heat for about 20 minutes. Turn off the heat and allow to cool slightly.
  2. Place all ingredients in a blender or food processor, and process until the ancho chile is pulverized and the sauce is a nice, thick texture.
  3. Return the sauce to the stovetop, and simmer for another 5 minutes. Turn off the heat and allow to cool slightly.
  4. Place the steaks in a large ziploc bag, and add about 1/2 cup of the sauce. Squish the steaks around so they are well covered by the sauce. Place in the refrigerator for at least a few hours, or longer if possible. Bring steaks to room temperature before grilling.
  5. Slather more sauce on both sides of the steaks. Place steaks on a hot grill, and grill to your liking. We turn the steaks over after about 4 to 5 minutes, first slathering sauce on the steak, to grill for a total of 10 minutes.
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  • krusher
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  • lapadia
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  • em-i-lis
    em-i-lis
  • BlueKaleRoad
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Bevi

Recipe by: Bevi

Cooking is an important part of my past. I grew up and worked on our family resort. These days, I cook good food to please my friends and family.

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22 Reviews

krusher
krusher June 8, 2013
Just sent this to my daughter in Geneva because it has come so highly recommended and it is summer here. Her recent photos shows that she has her big BBQ operating on her big balcony and she is choosing to get into that casual way of entertaining during the summer there. I have saved it for me too when warm weather returns to my part of the world.
 
Kukla
Kukla May 24, 2013
Congratulations Bevi on the CP! Such a great combination of tastes.
 
Bevi
Bevi May 26, 2013
I really hope you try it. BKR, Suzanne, and Lapadia all made the sauce and tweaked to their liking. You can play with the citrus and the type of coffee you use.
 
Kukla
Kukla May 26, 2013
Although I do not have a grill, I can make your sauce Bevi and use it to marinate steaks or any kind of meat for searing or roasting; and I will definitely do it soon and report to you.
 
lapadia
lapadia May 24, 2013
Congrats on the CP, Bevi! But I wonder why it only shows up here at your recipe and not listed along with the rest of the BBQ CP recipes!?!
 
Bevi
Bevi May 26, 2013
Thanks! Nor sure what happened.....
 
em-i-lis
em-i-lis May 10, 2013
go, bevi!
 
Bevi
Bevi May 10, 2013
Thanks, em!
 
em-i-lis
em-i-lis May 24, 2013
Huge congrats on the CP!!!
 
BlueKaleRoad
BlueKaleRoad May 8, 2013
Now this sounds incredible, Bevi! I'm so happy it's grilling season. :)
 
Bevi
Bevi May 10, 2013
Thanks BKR! I am glad to grill too...it's been a long winter....
 
Bevi
Bevi May 26, 2013
Thanks for the really lovely review!
 
inpatskitchen
inpatskitchen May 6, 2013
This sounds wonderful Bevi!
 
Bevi
Bevi May 6, 2013
Thank you Pat! It's so easy to put together.
 
em-i-lis
em-i-lis May 4, 2013
sounds fab, bevi!!! terrific for this time of year!
 
Bevi
Bevi May 4, 2013
Thanks, Em!
 
Kukla
Kukla May 4, 2013
Bevi, I agree with boulangere, it is really clever to dehydrate the chile in hot coffee and I admire lapadia for making your recipe right away and assure us that it is a great and versatile sauce.
 
Bevi
Bevi May 4, 2013
Thank You Kukla!
 
lapadia
lapadia May 4, 2013
I am not a coffee drinker but I absolutely love coffee-flavored foods and this recipe used ingredients I had on hand. The grilled steaks were awesome; the coffee created a dark flavorful sauce with the tang of citrus and heat from the ancho chile. This sauce would be good with baked beans, chilies, stews, glazes…I added a garlic clove and am thinking of adding a touch of my chocolate vinegar to the leftover portion. Yum!
 
Bevi
Bevi May 4, 2013
Wow, so glad you tried this! I bet your vinegar will be a great touch.
 
boulangere
boulangere May 4, 2013
So smart to steep the chile in the coffee! As intriguing, it looks like it comes together in a snap. Best of all, all ingredients are pantry staples! Beautifully done for bbq season!
 
Bevi
Bevi May 4, 2013
Thank you boulangere!