Few things say summer like a perfectly grilled steak. This T-bone is coated in a bold homemade chili coffee rub that creates a deeply savoury crust with just the right amount of heat. The coffee doesn’t make the steak taste like coffee – instead, it enhances the beef’s natural richness while helping the spices caramelize beautifully on the grill.

Serve with grilled smashed potatoes, grilled vegetables or a crisp summer salad for an easy backyard barbecue dinner.

How to Grill T-Bone Steak

T-bone steak is one of the best cuts for the barbecue because it combines two premium steaks in one: a tender filet mignon on one side of the bone and a richly marbled strip steak on the other.

For the juiciest results:

Bring the steak to room temperature before grilling.
Grill over medium-high heat.
Flip only once.
Let it rest for 10 minutes before slicing to keep the juices inside.

Why Coffee Makes the Best Steak Rub

Freshly ground coffee is the secret ingredient in this spice blend. It doesn’t overpower the steak – instead, it adds earthy depth and helps create a rich, caramelized crust when exposed to high heat. Combined with chili flakes, garlic and a touch of sugar, it delivers the perfect balance of smoky, savoury and slightly spicy flavours.

Grilled T-Bone Steak with Chili Coffee Rub

This grilled T-bone steak is coated in a smoky chili coffee rub that creates a flavourful crust while keeping the meat tender and juicy. Ready in about 30 minutes, it's an easy BBQ recipe for backyard grilling.

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Ingredients

1 tbsp ground coffee
1 tbsp hot pepper flakes
2 tsp coarse sea salt
2 tsp cane sugar or granulated sugar
1½ tsp granulated garlic
3 T-bone steaks at room temperature, pat dry
2 tbsp sunflower oil
salt and freshly ground pepper

Instructions

Heat barbecue to medium-high.
Using a mortar and pestle, combine coffee, hot pepper flakes, salt, sugar and garlic; grind until fine. Rub all over steaks and let marinate for 15 minutes.
Brush steaks with some of the sunflower oil; place on greased grill. Cook, covered flipping once, until desired doneness, 5 to 6 minutes per side for medium-rare. Transfer to cutting board; cover with foil and let stand for 10 minutes before serving.

Keyword coffee rub steak, Dry Rub, grilled steak, homemade steak rub, summer grilling, T-Bone Steak

The Best Side Dish for Grilled T-Bone Steak

The crispy potatoes pictured alongside the steak are our Grilled Smashed Potatoes With Rosemary. They can be boiled and smashed ahead of time, then brushed with rosemary oil and grilled while the steak rests. Serve both with Garlic Herb Butter for an easy summer dinner made almost entirely on the barbecue.

Serve this steak with grilled vegetables, corn on the cob or a fresh pasta salad for a complete backyard barbecue.