Coffee-Rubbed Beef Skewers with Bitter Chocolate Mole Sauce
These beef skewers are coated in a rich coffee and spice rub, served alongside a complex mole sauce enriched with bittersweet dark chocolate for depth and intensity. This Mexican-inspired beef recipe, ready in about 40 minutes, pairs beef sirloin, instant coffee granules, smoked paprika for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 350 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 1 lb, cut into 1-inch cubes beef sirloin
- 2 tbsp instant coffee granules
- 1 tbsp smoked paprika
- 1 tsp ground cumin
- 1/2 tsp cayenne pepper
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 oz, chopped bittersweet dark chocolate
- 1 cup tomato sauce
- 1/2 cup chicken broth
- 2 cloves, minced garlic
- 1 small, finely chopped onion
- 1/2 tsp ground coriander
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
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Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Instructions
- Step 1: In a bowl, mix 2 tbsp instant coffee granules, 1 tbsp smoked paprika, 1 tsp ground cumin, 1/2 tsp cayenne pepper, 1 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper. Toss 1 lb beef sirloin cubes with 2 tbsp olive oil and the spice mixture until fully coated. Thread onto skewers.
- Step 2: Heat a grill pan over medium-high heat and cook the beef skewers for 3-4 minutes per side until medium-rare or preferred doneness.
- Step 3: Meanwhile, heat 1 tbsp olive oil in a saucepan over medium heat. Sauté 1 small finely chopped onion and 2 minced garlic cloves until translucent, about 5 minutes. Add 1 cup tomato sauce, 1/2 cup chicken broth, 1/2 tsp ground coriander, and 1 oz chopped bittersweet dark chocolate. Stir and simmer gently for 10 minutes until thickened and the chocolate is melted.
- Step 4: Serve the grilled beef skewers drizzled with the rich chocolate mole sauce.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Coffee-Rubbed Beef Skewers with Bitter Chocolate Mole Sauce take to make?
Total time is about 40 minutes (20 min prep + 20 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.
How do I store leftover Coffee-Rubbed Beef Skewers with Bitter Chocolate Mole Sauce?
Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep beef sirloin from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Coffee-Rubbed Beef Skewers with Bitter Chocolate Mole Sauce?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Coffee-Rubbed Beef Skewers with Bitter Chocolate Mole Sauce for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
What goes well with Coffee-Rubbed Beef Skewers with Bitter Chocolate Mole Sauce?
Mexican beef like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.
