How I fell in love with grilling thanks to a coffee dry rub and charcoal.
There’s something magical about cooking your food outdoors and that might be why more men seem drawn to grilling. Not that women can’t be or aren’t amazing grillers, its just that connection with the outdoors a man feels when he’s preparing to cook.
That hunter-gatherer feeling he gets when he tosses a slab of meat on a grill…………It’s a beautiful thing.
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If you’ve never used Hardwood Lump Charcoal you don’t know what you’re missing. The aroma coming from this type of charcoal is wonderful (of course you can use standard briquets). I didn’t use any lighter fluid, just a few pieces of crumpled paper under the charcoal to get it started and in about 30 minutes I was ready to start cooking.
I have to say for my first attempt at a coffee dry rub the results were amazing!
I prepared a feast of chicken legs, center cut pork chops and corn on the cob. Giving my new Kettleman Charcoal Grill a good workout.
Add in a tossed salad and the meal was complete. Not only was the food delicious but it was pretty darn healthy.
I should have read the instructions in their grilling book a little more carefully to understand the differences in cooking techniques with Direct heat vs. Indirect heat and I suggest you do that before you start cooking. But you know how guys are with instructions and chefs are even worse…..we do think we know it all.
Although I will admit that I like the extra char and color it gave both the chicken and the pork chops by using a little more direct heat that I should have. And to prove my point the taste was OMG delicious!
Here’s my recipe for the Coffee Dry Rub which is all you need to grill up your own deliciousness! This dry rub is good on pork, chicken, beef and lamb so start your grillin!
More Delicious Pork Recipes You’ll Love!
- Peppered Pork Loin with a Sweet Chili Pecan Fruit Sauce
- Stuffed Pork Tenderloin
- Oven Roasted Rack of Pork
- Pan Seared Pork Tenderloin
Coffee Dry Rub – Pork Chops and Chicken
Ingredients
- 4 center cut pork chops
- 6 chicken legs or thighs
Coffee Dry Rub
- 4 teaspoons ground coffee
- 4 teaspoons sea salt
- 4 teaspoons chili powder
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- ½ teaspoon granulated garlic
- ½ teaspoon granulated onion
- ½ teaspoon ground mustard seed
- ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
- ½ teaspoon cinnamon
- ¼-1/2 teaspoon cayenne optional if you want some extra heat
Instructions
- light your charcoal then proceed to making the dry rub
- In a small bowl add in all of the dry ingredients for the Coffee Dry Rub. Mix everything together, breaking apart any lumps.
- rub both sides of the pork with generous amounts of the dry rub. I did both sides twice.
- repeat the process with the chicken.
- set pork and chicken aside for 20-30 minutes allowing the rub to penetrate the meat. (the pork may look a little wet when you’re ready to grill)
- Grill the pork chops and chicken on both sides over medium high heat, then move to indirect heat to finish cooking.
- Check the internal temp, it should be 165 degrees for well done, if you like your pork a little pink check remove them sooner, but let the chicken cook fully until it reads 165.
- When you remove the meat from the grill, let it rest for about 10 minutes so all the juices return throughout the meat. The temperature of cooked meats will continue to rise up to 10 degrees as it sits.
- Serve with your favorite sides and enjoy!
Kevin says
Hey Chef Dennis.
Why so much sugar?
I don’t like using sugar for anything. So I substituted 2.table spoons of sugar with a single teaspoon.
Works perfect
Chef Dennis Littley says
That is how the recipe was developed. Everyone has different tastes, it’s easy to make adjustments to suit your taste preference.
Onaiza says
Hi, Is it possible to make this without a barbecue? Cnai make it on the gas stove or a micro wave grill or over grill?
I made it on the oven grill once and it came out extremely dry.
ThanksO
Chef Dennis Littley says
You can definitley roast them in the oven. Try 375 degrees for about 20 minutes for the pork chops and 35-40 minutes for the chicken legs.
Natalie says
This chicken rub sounds amazing. I never used ground coffee to make a rub before. But I definitely love the idea. I just saved this recipe to give it a try. Can’t wait to surprise my family with this for dinner.
Maria says
Oh my goodness, I just bought pork chops at the butcher with no plans in mind for them. Looks like this is where they are headed;) Thank you for the great recipes and ideas. Your site is hands-down one of the best out there instructionally!
Chef Dennis Littley says
Thank you Maria, that is very nice of you to say. I hope you enjoy the coffee rub with your pork chops.
Bob says
This is a recipe I need to share with the oldest nephew. He’s been a grilling fanatic for years and is the summer cook!
Where can you find the Hardwood Lump Charcoal? Is that a brand name or type?
Thanks!
Chef Dennis Littley says
Thanks Bob, I’ve found it at home depot, lowes, Sam’s Club and most of the other Big Box Stores. Even Publix carries it. It’s just not something we think to look for, and I’ve seen a lot of different brands.
Mary @ LOVE the secret ingredient says
There’s a coffee based spice rub that i’ve fallen in love with and had in one of my subscription boxes. I’ll have to do this when I run out because I can’t get enough!
Sami says
Ph, that looks SO good it has to be on my dinner table Sunday!
Frank says
Enjoyed your review, on my way now to buy this grill. I have not grilled in years. How do you gril the corn?
Chef Dennis Littley says
you can wet the ears in the husk and place them directly on the grill, or husk them and just roast them over the coals directly
minnie@thelady8home says
I like the extra char too. Even those of us who are not chefs can be bad with instructions. We love using charcoal grill and often use it. These look mouthwatering, truly.
Chef Dennis Littley says
Thanks Minnie, I’m having fun grilling the old fashioned way!
anna@icyvioletskitchen says
my lack of a grill is seriously handicapping my summer plans. those drumsticks are mouthwatering!
Chef Dennis Littley says
I’ve spent so many years using a propane grill, I forgot how good charcoal can be Anna. I hope you get to do some grilling this summer!
Larry says
That chicken looks perfect and just like what I grew up on with just the right amount of black. Now I’m hungry for grilled chicken.
Chef Dennis Littley says
Thanks Larry, I do love good grilled chicken, and going back to charcoal has rekindled my interest in grilling!