Grilled Coffee-Rubbed Beef Skewers with Bitter Herb Chimichurri

By AislePrompt Test Kitchen · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

Bold coffee and chili-rubbed beef skewers grilled to juicy perfection, served with a vibrant chimichurri sauce featuring bitter herbs to balance the smoky meat. This latin american-inspired beef ready in about 35 minutes pairs ground coffee, smoked paprika, chili powder for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 320 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.

Prep: 25 min Cook: 10 min Serves 4 Latin American cuisine 320 cal/serving
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Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: In a small bowl, combine 1 tbsp ground coffee, 1 tsp smoked paprika, 1 tsp chili powder, 1/2 tsp garlic powder, 1 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper. Rub this spice blend evenly over 1 lb cubed beef sirloin.
  2. Step 2: Thread the seasoned beef cubes onto skewers and drizzle with 2 tbsp olive oil. Let marinate at room temperature for 20 minutes.
  3. Step 3: Meanwhile, make the chimichurri by finely chopping 1/2 cup fresh parsley, 1/4 cup fresh cilantro, and 2 tbsp fresh oregano leaves. In a bowl, whisk together the herbs with 1 tbsp red wine vinegar, 1 tsp lemon zest, 1/4 tsp red chili flakes, 1/2 tsp salt, and 2 tbsp water until well combined.
  4. Step 4: Preheat a grill or grill pan to medium-high heat. Grill the beef skewers for 3-4 minutes per side until a nice crust forms and the beef reaches desired doneness.
  5. Step 5: Serve the hot beef skewers topped with the bitter herb chimichurri for a punchy, balanced flavor experience.

Equipment for this recipe

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Frequently asked questions

How long does Grilled Coffee-Rubbed Beef Skewers with Bitter Herb Chimichurri take to make?

Total time is about 35 minutes (25 min prep + 10 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 Grilled Coffee-Rubbed Beef Skewers with Bitter Herb Chimichurri?

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 ground coffee from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Grilled Coffee-Rubbed Beef Skewers with Bitter Herb Chimichurri?

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 Grilled Coffee-Rubbed Beef Skewers with Bitter Herb Chimichurri 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 Grilled Coffee-Rubbed Beef Skewers with Bitter Herb Chimichurri?

Latin American 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.

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