Coffee Rub BBQ Burgers (Printable)
Bold coffee-rubbed burgers with homemade smoky BBQ sauce, grilled to perfection in 40 minutes.
# What You’ll Need:
→ Burger Patties
01 - 1 1/2 lbs (680 g) ground beef chuck, 80/20 blend
02 - 1 tsp kosher salt
03 - 1/2 tsp freshly ground black pepper
→ Coffee Rub
04 - 1 1/2 tbsp finely ground coffee, unflavored medium roast
05 - 1 tbsp brown sugar
06 - 1 tsp smoked paprika
07 - 1 tsp chili powder
08 - 1/2 tsp garlic powder
09 - 1/2 tsp onion powder
10 - 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper
→ Smoky BBQ Sauce
11 - 3/4 cup ketchup
12 - 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar
13 - 2 tbsp brown sugar
14 - 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
15 - 1 1/2 tsp liquid smoke
16 - 1 tsp smoked paprika
17 - 1/2 tsp garlic powder
18 - 1/4 tsp freshly ground black pepper
19 - 1/4 tsp salt
→ For Serving
20 - 4 burger buns
21 - 4 slices cheddar cheese
22 - 1 small red onion, thinly sliced into rings
23 - 4 leaves green leaf lettuce
24 - 1 large tomato, sliced into 1/4-inch rounds
25 - 8 to 12 dill pickle chips
# How To Make It:
01 - Set your grill or grill pan to medium-high heat and allow it to reach full temperature before cooking.
02 - In a small mixing bowl, combine the ground coffee, brown sugar, smoked paprika, chili powder, garlic powder, onion powder, and cayenne pepper. Stir until all spices are evenly distributed.
03 - Divide the ground beef into 4 equal portions and shape each into a patty slightly wider than the burger buns to account for shrinkage. Season both sides generously with kosher salt, black pepper, and the coffee rub, pressing the seasoning gently into the meat so it adheres.
04 - In a small saucepan, combine the ketchup, apple cider vinegar, brown sugar, Worcestershire sauce, liquid smoke, smoked paprika, garlic powder, black pepper, and salt. Place over medium-low heat and simmer for 5 to 7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the sauce thickens. Remove from heat and set aside.
05 - Place the seasoned patties on the hot grill and cook for 4 minutes undisturbed. Flip each patty, top with a slice of cheddar cheese if desired, and continue grilling for another 3 to 4 minutes for medium doneness. During the final minute, place the burger buns cut-side down on the grill to toast.
06 - Spread a generous spoonful of smoky BBQ sauce on the bottom half of each toasted bun. Layer with a lettuce leaf, the coffee-rubbed burger patty, a tomato slice, red onion rings, pickle chips, and an additional drizzle of sauce. Cap with the top bun and serve immediately while hot.
# Expert Tips:
01 -
- The coffee rub creates a deep, earthy crust on the beef that pairs beautifully with the sweetness of the brown sugar and smoke.
- The homemade BBQ sauce comes together in under ten minutes and tastes far better than anything from a bottle.
- It sounds fancy but the whole thing comes together in about forty minutes from start to finish.
02 -
- Do not overwork the meat when forming patties because handling it too much makes the burgers dense and tough instead of juicy and tender.
- Let the patties sit at room temperature for about fifteen minutes before grilling so they cook evenly instead of burning on the outside while staying cold in the center.
- The BBQ sauce can be made up to a week ahead and stored in the refrigerator, which actually improves the flavor as the ingredients meld together.
03 -
- Make a double batch of the coffee rub and keep it in an airtight jar in your pantry because you will find yourself reaching for it constantly.
- Press a small dimple into the center of each patty with your thumb before grilling to keep them from puffing up into meatballs on the grill.