Spiced Coffee-Infused Honey Glazed Beef Skewers
Tender beef skewers marinated in Ethiopian-inspired spices and coffee, glazed with honey for a sweet and smoky bite. This african-inspired beef ready in about 25 minutes pairs instant coffee granules, berbere spice blend, garlic cloves, minced 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 pound beef sirloin, cut into 1-inch cubes
- 1 tbsp instant coffee granules
- 2 tsp berbere spice blend
- 3 cloves garlic cloves, minced
- 3 tbsp olive oil
- 2 tbsp honey
- 1 tbsp lemon juice
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 8 skewers wooden skewers, soaked in water
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Instructions
- Step 1: In a medium bowl, dissolve 1 tbsp instant coffee granules in 2 tbsp warm water.
- Step 2: Add 2 tsp berbere spice blend, 3 minced garlic cloves, 3 tbsp olive oil, 2 tbsp honey, 1 tbsp lemon juice, 1 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper to the coffee mixture. Whisk to combine.
- Step 3: Add 1 pound beef sirloin cubes to the marinade, tossing to coat thoroughly. Cover and refrigerate for at least 2 hours or overnight for best flavor.
- Step 4: Preheat grill or grill pan to medium-high heat (about 400°F).
- Step 5: Thread marinated beef cubes onto 8 soaked wooden skewers, dividing evenly.
- Step 6: Grill the beef skewers for 3-4 minutes per side, brushing occasionally with leftover marinade, until nicely charred on the edges and cooked to medium rare or desired doneness.
- Step 7: Remove from grill and let rest for 5 minutes before serving.
- Step 8: Serve the skewers with a side of injera flatbread or a fresh salad for a smoky, spiced meal.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Spiced Coffee-Infused Honey Glazed Beef Skewers take to make?
Total time is about 25 minutes (15 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 Spiced Coffee-Infused Honey Glazed 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 Spiced Coffee-Infused Honey Glazed 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 Spiced Coffee-Infused Honey Glazed 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 Spiced Coffee-Infused Honey Glazed 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.
