Coffee-Rubbed Flank Steak with Bitter Citrus Chimichurri

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-06-20 · Updated 2026-06-20

Juicy flank steak coated in a bold coffee and spice rub, served with a bright chimichurri featuring bitter orange and fresh herbs. This Latin American-inspired beef recipe, ready in about 55 minutes, pairs flank steak, ground coffee, 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

• 1.5 lbs flank steak
• 2 tbsp ground coffee
• 1 tbsp smoked paprika
• 1 tbsp brown sugar
• 1 tsp ground cumin
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• 1 tsp salt
• 1 tsp black pepper
• 1/4 cup bitter orange juice
• 1/2 cup chopped fresh parsley
• 1/4 cup chopped cilantro
• 2 tbsp red wine vinegar
• 1/3 cup extra virgin olive oil
• 1/4 tsp red chili flakes
• 2 cloves minced garlic

The coffee makers we’d brew this with → Best Coffee Makers in 2026: Top Picks + Buying Guide

Instructions

1. Step 1: In a small bowl, combine 2 tbsp ground coffee, 1 tbsp smoked paprika, 1 tbsp brown sugar, 1 tsp ground cumin, 1 tsp garlic powder, 1 tsp salt, and 1 tsp black pepper. Rub this spice mixture evenly over 1.5 lbs flank steak and let rest at room temperature for 30 minutes.
2. Step 2: Preheat grill or grill pan to medium-high heat. Grill steak for 5-6 minutes per side for medium-rare, or until desired doneness is reached. Remove steak and let rest for 10 minutes before slicing thinly against the grain.
3. Step 3: Meanwhile, whisk together 1/4 cup bitter orange juice, 1/2 cup chopped fresh parsley, 1/4 cup chopped cilantro, 2 tbsp red wine vinegar, 1/3 cup extra virgin olive oil, 1/4 tsp red chili flakes, and 2 minced garlic cloves in a small bowl to make chimichurri.
4. Step 4: Serve sliced steak topped with bitter citrus chimichurri for a vibrant contrast to the smoky, slightly bitter coffee rub.