Coffee Rubbed Steak Tacos (Printable)

Bold coffee-spiced steak grilled and served with fresh avocado, cabbage, and salsa in warm tortillas.

# What You Need:

→ Coffee Rub

01 - 2 tablespoons finely ground medium roast coffee
02 - 1 tablespoon brown sugar
03 - 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
04 - 1 teaspoon ground cumin
05 - 1 teaspoon chili powder
06 - 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
07 - 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
08 - 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
09 - 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

→ Steak

10 - 1 pound flank or skirt steak
11 - 1 tablespoon 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

# Directions:

01 - Combine all coffee rub ingredients in a small bowl and mix thoroughly.
02 - Pat the steak dry with paper towels. Rub both sides with olive oil, then evenly coat with the coffee rub, pressing into the meat. Let rest at room temperature for 10 minutes.
03 - Heat a grill or grill pan over medium-high heat until hot.
04 - Cook the steak for 4 to 5 minutes per side for medium-rare or until desired doneness is reached. Transfer to a cutting board and rest for 5 minutes.
05 - Thinly slice the steak against the grain to ensure tenderness.
06 - Distribute steak slices evenly among warmed tortillas. Top with shredded cabbage, pico de gallo, avocado, cilantro, and cheese if desired. Serve with lime wedges on the side.

# Expert Hints:

01 -
  • The coffee rub creates this incredible crust that locks in juices while adding subtle bitter notes that balance perfectly with the natural sweetness of the meat
  • These come together in thirty minutes flat but taste like something you would order at a fancy taco spot on a Friday night
  • The combination of warm spiced steak and cool fresh toppings makes every bite feel exciting and complete
02 -
  • Letting the meat rest after grilling is absolutely critical or all those juices will end up on the cutting board instead of in the tacos
  • Slicing against the grain makes even a budget cut of steak feel tender and premium
  • Warm your tortillas over the open flame for thirty seconds per side to get those nice charred spots
03 -
  • Finely ground coffee works best than coarse grind because it sticks better and forms a more even crust
  • Use an instant-read thermometer to check doneness 130°F for medium-rare and 135°F for medium
  • If you are cooking indoors a cast iron skillet gets you closer to grill results than any other pan
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