Honey-Glazed Coffee Rubbed Beef Skewers

By , Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

Tender beef skewers marinated in a bold Ethiopian-inspired coffee and spice rub, finished with a sticky honey glaze for a balanced savory-sweet flavor. This african-inspired beef ready in about 82 minutes pairs cut into 1-inch cubes beef sirloin, instant coffee granules, berbere spice blend 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.

Prep: 70 min Cook: 12 min Serves 4 African cuisine 350 cal/serving
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Ingredients

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Instructions

  1. Step 1: In a bowl, combine 1 tbsp instant coffee granules, 1 tbsp berbere spice blend, 1 tsp smoked paprika, 1 tsp garlic powder, 1 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper.
  2. Step 2: Toss 1 lb beef sirloin cubes with 2 tbsp olive oil and the spice mixture until evenly coated. Marinate for at least 1 hour in the refrigerator.
  3. Step 3: Preheat grill or grill pan to medium-high heat (about 400°F). Thread marinated beef cubes onto 8 soaked wooden skewers.
  4. Step 4: In a small bowl, whisk together 3 tbsp honey and 1 tbsp lemon juice.
  5. Step 5: Grill skewers for 3-4 minutes per side, brushing generously with honey-lemon glaze during the last 2 minutes of cooking until beef is just cooked to medium rare and glaze is sticky and caramelized.
  6. Step 6: Remove from heat and let rest for 5 minutes before serving with fresh salad or flatbread.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Honey-Glazed Coffee Rubbed Beef Skewers take to make?

Total time is about 82 minutes (70 min prep + 12 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 Honey-Glazed Coffee Rubbed Beef Skewers?

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 instant coffee granules from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Honey-Glazed Coffee Rubbed Beef Skewers?

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 Honey-Glazed Coffee Rubbed Beef Skewers 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 Honey-Glazed Coffee Rubbed Beef Skewers?

African 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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