These Smoky Coffee Rubbed Burgers are the ultimate evening treat. Coffee, salt, smoked paprika and other spices give this beef a smoky and sweet taste that goes great with our homemade BBQ sauce!
Take your next BBQ menu to the next level with this smoky coffee rubbed hamburger recipe! You might think a coffee rub on a burger sounds a little strange, but coffee actually enhances and deepens the flavor of the meat. It also creates a charred crust on the outside allowing the burger to stay moist on the inside.
I’ll be honest, I’ve never used coffee in meat before, but boy does it make a HUGE difference .. these coffee rubbed burgers are probably the meatiest tasting burgers I’ve ever made.
For the first time in my life, my burger actually dripped down my arm! Do you have any idea how excited this makes me? It means my burger was not only FULL of flavor, it was JUICY … like RESTAURANT juicy.
INGREDIENTS IN OUR COFFEE RUB:
The rub for these burgers isn’t exclusive to burgers. It is also amazing on steak! The spices have a balance of smoky and a little sweet. But the coffee is really the star of the rub. It brings out that deep meaty flavor that we all crave when we think of a really good restaurant burger.
- Ground Coffee – only a Tablespoon is needed
- Sea Salt
- Smoked Paprika
- Brown Sugar
- Onion Powder
- Garlic Powder
- Chili Powder
- CorianderÂ
- Oregano
- Black Pepper
Helpful Tips:
- Fat – 95% lean meat is going to produce a dry burger. It’s just a fact. I’m sorry. Get a pound ground sirloin between 75-80% fat freshly ground from the butcher and you can’t go wrong.
- Rest – After the burgers have been coated in the rub, place them in the fridge UNCOVERED to chill for 30 minutes. This will help the outside of the burgers get a really nice char on them, yet keep those juices inside. Be sure to bring them to room temperature as the grill is heating up – again 20-30 minutes.
- Cook the burgers using what is known as a Reverse Sear. In other words you start the temperature HIGH and end on LOW. Place burgers over a very high heat for a few minutes, turn the flame down to low (if using a grill, simply continue cooking them on indirect heat) until done.Â
- Rest – rest again. Allow the burgers to rest under tented foil for a few minutes to let the juices redistribute.
Don’t forget the toppings:
- ONIONS – While the burgers are cooking, slice a large onion in thick chucks keeping the onion in tact. Brush the onion slices with a little oil, salt and pepper and cook them alongside the burgers until they caramelize.
- TOMATOES – a little fresh produce never hurt anyone
- CHEESE SLICE- We topped our burgers with a slice of smoked gouda. Gouda is such a great burger cheese, it melts to perfection, it’s smooth and creamy and smoky.
- BBQ SAUCE – But the icing on the cake (or the sauce on the burger) is the homemade BBQ sauce that goes on top! OH MY! The combination of the charred and meaty burger with the sweet caramelized onion, smoky cheese and BBQ sauce on top is TRULY EPIC !!! Be sure to have some additional sauce for dunking.
- HAMBURGER BUNs – this is just my personal preference, but nothing beats a Brioche bun, placed on the grill for some perfectly grilled marks on the bun tops.
OH! And don’t forget to top your burgers with these amazing caramelized Grilled Vidalia Onions!
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Smoky Coffee Rubbed Burgers
Description
Coffee enhances and deepens the flavor of meat resulting in a full bodied, meaty flavored, epic burger!
Ingredients
COFFEE RUB SEASONING:
- 1 Tablespoon Ground Coffee
- ½ Tablespoon Sea Salt
- 2 teaspoons Smoked Paprika
- 2 teaspoons Brown Sugar
- 1 teaspoon Onion Powder
- 1 teaspoon Garlic Powder
- ½ teaspoon Chili Powder
- ½ teaspoon Coriander
- ½ teaspoon Oregano
- ÂĽ teaspoon Black Pepper
BURGERS:
- 1 lb. Ground Beef
- 4 Slices Smoked Gouda Cheese
- 1 Large Onion sliced in thick rings
- Pretzel buns
HOMEMADE BBQ SAUCE:
- 1 Cup Organic Ketchup
- ½ Cup Water
- ÂĽ Cup Apple Cider Vinegar
- 3 Tablespoons Brown Sugar
- 1 teaspoon Onion Powder
- 1 teaspoon Yellow Mustard
- ½ Tablespoon Worcestershire Sauce
- ½ Tablespoon Fresh Lemon Juice
- ½ teaspoon Garlic Powder
- 1 teaspoon Smoked Paprika
- ½ Tablespoon Butter
Instructions
- Combine all the spices for the coffee rub in a small bowl.
- Gently form 4 patties using a patty press if you have one. Sprinkle the spice rub on both sides of the patties. There is enough for all 4. Gently rub the spices into the patties using your fingers.
- Place the patties in the fridge on a wire rack (for circulation) for 30 minutes while the grill is heating. Do NOT skip this step.
- Slice the onions into thick rings and without breaking them apart brush olive oil or Italian dressing over them.
- Preheat the grill to high and grill the burgers for a few minutes (depending on thickness) over direct heat. Flip and cook the other side a few minutes. Turn the heat to low and continue cooking until desired doneness. Top with slices of cheese until just melted.
- At the same time, place the onions on the other side of the grill over low heat. Flip the onions once you see grill marks and they begin to soften.
- Grill the pretzel buns for a few minutes until light brown.
- Place the burger on the pretzel bun and top with the onion and bbq sauce.
FOR THE BBQ SAUCE:
- Combine first 7 ingredients in a large sauce pan over medium heat. Whisk or stir to combine. Add the spices, stir well, and bring to a boil.
- Reduce heat and simmer 30 minutes, stirring often.
- Stir in cold butter. Simmer an additional 5 minutes to thicken.
WHAT TO SERVE WITH THIS:
CLASSIC POTATO SALAD
NEW YORK STYLE MACARONI SALAD
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How do you prepare the coffee grounds? Is it fresh coffee or used? Need a grinder?
Hi Stephanie – we used a fine grind instant coffee for this recipe.
Just tried this tonight and the burgers were delicious! “Best burgers you have ever made” were the exact words my son said to me. Thanks so much.
Fabulous rub!!! Outstanding flavor! My family asked for hamburgers 2 nights in a row.
Wow! I dont leave comments but had to. Amazeballs!
LOL – thanks, I guess.
HOLY SMOKES !!!!
One of the best burgers we’ve ever had and I am not just saying that. I was very skeptical as I think most of you are as well. But I am telling you this were off the hook!
Five stars – I never made coffee rubbed anything and this was a big leap. If anyone is doubting this recipe you are missing out!
outstanding
Unbelievable flavor! Best burger I’ve had in a really long time