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    Home » Main Courses » Beef, Pork & Lamb Main Courses » Grilled Coffee Balsamic Flank Steak

    Grilled Coffee Balsamic Flank Steak

    Feb 1, 2018 · by Valentina · 27 Comments

    This post may contain affiliate links.

    Jump to Recipe

    Coffee Balsamic Flank Steak has deep and rich flavors from a unique steak marinade. The flavors this seep in over many hours, making it a truly special dish, with rave reviews.

    Large yellow-rimmed white platter filled with slices or grilled coffee balsamic flank steak.

    Cooking with Coffee

    Cooking with coffee and tea is not uncommon. And for very good reason!

    Just as tea leaves and coffee grounds infuse hot water with their wonderful flavors, they can infuse food.  Simple.

    I'm a coffee person . . .

    I love a perfect cup in the morning.

    I love it in my ice cream pie, and in my cookies.

    And now, I love it on my steak!

    Both the marinade and the glaze in the recipe are filled with the aromatic, deep, rich flavors of coffee.  Add a touch of sweetness and a hot grill, and you'll create an unbelievably delicious steak.

    Making This Recipe

    This is a great recipe to cook on the weekends. You'll only spend a few minutes making the coffee balsamic steak marinade, and grilling. In between, it will marinate for several hours in the refrigerator.

    I usually get it in the marinade the night before I want to serve it. While the coffee balsamic steak is grilling, you can whip up the glaze, which has a similar flavor profile to the steak marinade. Only with a little butter, making it silky smooth and even richer.

    Grilled Coffee Balsamic Flank Steak, sliced into thin strip with knife on cutting board

    Now get to the store, start the marinating process for your own coffee balsamic steak.

    Maybe invite a few friends over, or family, and share it with them.  They should be so lucky to get in on this deliciousness.  In my humble opinion, of course. 😉

    What to Serve With it

    • A delicious potato side dish would be lovely, to soak up any excess marinade.
    • I always love a light salad with a rich, juicy steak. This Fried Lemon Caesar Salad would be lovely.
    • And how about with a side of these simple Grilled Garden Scallions?
    Yellow-rimmed white platter with slices or grilled coffee balsamic flank stea and a couple sprigs of fresh oregano.

    And on the sweeter side, here are a few more recipes with coffee . . . and espresso, that I love:

    • Kahlua Espresso Gelato
    • Espresso Chocolate Sauce
    • Chocolate Coffee Almond Granola
    • Chocolate, Oat and Espresso Breakfast Cookie Recipe

    And if you're like me and can't get enough coffee and espresso, here's an awesome guide to finding the best high-quality, easy-to-use coffee makers.

    For now though, enjoy every last bite of your delicious coffee balsamic steak!

    Grilled Coffee Balsamic Flank Steakon a cutting board before being sliced.

    Grilled Coffee Balsamic Flank Steak

    Valentina K. Wein
    The deep and rich flavors of the unique steak marinade in this Coffee Balsamic Flank Steak seep in over many hours, making it a truly special meat dish, with rave reviews. note that almost all of the prep time is inactive, marinating time.
    5 from 6 votes
    Print
    Prep Time 8 hours hrs
    Cook Time 8 minutes mins
    Total Time 8 hours hrs 8 minutes mins
    Course Main Course
    Cuisine American
    Servings 4 to 6
    Calories 366 kcal

    Ingredients
     
     

    For the marinade

    • ⅓ cup brewed strong coffee, cooled to room temperature
    • 2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
    • 1 tablespoon brown sugar
    • 2 teaspoons garlic, minced
    • 1 (approximately 2-pound) flank steak

    For the glaze

    • 1 tablespoon maple syrup
    • 3 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
    • ¼ teaspoon instant espresso powder
    • 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
    • salt and freshly ground black pepper

    Instructions
     

    For the marinade

    • In a small mixing bowl, whisk the coffee with the balsamic vinegar, brown sugar and garlic. Set aside.
    • Cut any excess fat off of the steak and place it in a large zip-lock bag -- the bag should be large enough so the steak is flat, or almost flat. Pour the marinade in the bag, making sure it coats both sides of the meat. Gently let all the air out of the bag, seal it, and place it in the refrigerator overnight and ideally for about 24 hours. (It's a good idea to put the bag in a bowl in case it leaks.)
    • Remove the steak from the refrigerator about 20 minutes before you're ready to cook.
    • Preheat a stove-top grill (or outdoor barbecue), and take the marinated steak out of the bag and place it on a large plate.
    • Season both sides generously with salt and pepper.
    • Place the steak on the grill. You should hear a sizzling sound when the meat hits the grill - if you don't, the grill isn't' hot enough, and the steak won't caramelize and form a beautiful crust. Wait for the sizzle!
    • Grill the steak until it's cooked the way you like it -- for medium-rare, about 8 minutes. Turn the steak over about half way through the grilling time.

    For the glaze

    • While the steak is grilling, add the coffee syrup or maple syrup, balsamic vinegar and espresso powder to a small saucepan, and place it over medium heat. Once it's bubbling, turn the heat to low and let it simmer until it thickens slightly and reduces a bit, about 3 minutes. Then add the butter, and swirl the pan around until the butter has completely melted and blended in. Season to taste with salt and pepper.
    • Place the steak on a large plate or platter, cover with foil, and let it rest for at least 10 minutes to allow the juices settle.
    • Slice the steak thinly against the grain, drizzle the glaze on top and serve.

    NOTES

    *If you don't have a grill, you can also sauté it.  A cast iron skillet would be best for this, and you can follow the same cooking directions for the grill.

    NUTRITION

    Calories: 366kcal
    Keywords steak dinner recipes, best steak marinades
    Have you tried this recipe?I'd love to see it on Instagram! Tag me at @cookingontheweekends or leave a comment & rating below.

    Cooking On The Weekends is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com.

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Chung-Ah | Damn Delicious

      January 09, 2013 at 9:21 pm

      Amazing! And this is exactly why I can never be vegetarian!

      Reply
      • valentina

        January 09, 2013 at 9:31 pm

        Thanks, Chung-Ah -- me, too! 🙂

        Reply
      • Robin Holbrook

        November 10, 2013 at 2:28 am

        WOW!!!!! I had not a clue as to what to expect, and I was a little nervous. But Wow , this was incredible! If I had to describe it (which I wish someone did:)) I would say it has a hickory taste. Which is perfect since you still have the taste of steak!!! Love it, love it! Thank you, already passing it along!

        Reply
        • valentina

          November 17, 2013 at 6:05 am

          Hi Robin, I'm thrilled you enjoyed this recipe -- it's one of my favorites! And I LOVE that you describe it as having a hickory flavor -- I think that's the perfect word for it. Thanks so much for visiting my site and for passing along the recipe. 🙂

          Reply
    2. Barbara

      January 09, 2013 at 9:38 pm

      Yum Yum Yum! This sounds like dinner tonight 😉

      Reply
    3. Jason

      January 10, 2013 at 6:42 am

      This looks a lot like a short rib recipe I have - it's marinated in coffee, maple syrup, herbs and such, and then braised down with other aromatics. Coffee and beef is a pretty mind-blowing combination.

      http://www.bakespace.com/recipes/detail/Coffee-Marinated-Bison-Short-Ribs/21299/

      Reply
    4. Linda K. Smith

      January 10, 2013 at 4:59 pm

      I TOTALLY agree with Chung-Ah! I wonder if you would mention
      again how to make, buy or steal coffee syrup, Valentina.

      Reply
    5. Linda K. Smith

      January 10, 2013 at 5:51 pm

      Oops--just found your suggestion to use
      DAVE's COFFEE SYRUP.

      Reply
    6. sippitysup

      January 10, 2013 at 11:02 pm

      I don't love coffee but I have tried this on love this! GREG

      Reply
    7. linda spiker

      February 01, 2018 at 4:40 pm

      5 stars
      Espresso powder is like a magic ingredient! Love this!

      Reply
      • valentina

        February 01, 2018 at 8:22 pm

        I totally agree! Thank you. 🙂

        Reply
    8. danielle

      February 01, 2018 at 7:03 pm

      5 stars
      I too, love a cup of coffee. Or 2 or 3. Depends on the day! This marinade sounds delicious! I love anything quick and easy.

      Reply
      • valentina

        February 01, 2018 at 8:21 pm

        Thanks, Danielle! Hope you try it!

        Reply
    9. Sonal

      February 01, 2018 at 7:11 pm

      You are a genius. Loved how you made a marinade using coffee and balsamic...must have tasted exotic..

      Reply
      • valentina

        February 01, 2018 at 8:22 pm

        Exotic indeed. 🙂 Hope you make it.

        Reply
    10. Jillian

      February 01, 2018 at 8:10 pm

      5 stars
      This looks and will smell amazing in my home! Thank you for sharing!

      Reply
      • valentina

        February 01, 2018 at 8:23 pm

        Oh yes, it's so aromatic! Thank you!

        Reply
    11. Marie

      February 01, 2018 at 8:20 pm

      5 stars
      The marinade for the steak sounds sensational - so rich and full of flavour! The pictures are making my mouth water. Yum!

      Reply
      • valentina

        February 01, 2018 at 8:23 pm

        Thanks so much, Marie! 🙂

        Reply
    12. David

      February 02, 2018 at 12:54 pm

      I think it’s time for me to borrow some coffee from a neighbor! I haven’t had coffee in our fridge since we moved here 11 years ago! I have never tried coffee or tea, but it had steak coded with coffee and it was wonderful! (I don’t think I slept for weeks afterwards…) This looks fantastic, Valentina! Perfectly cooked.

      Reply
      • valentina

        February 05, 2018 at 11:48 pm

        Thanks so much, David! I guess I'm lucky it doesn't keep me awake. (Or not!?) 😉

        Reply
    13. sippitysup

      February 03, 2018 at 1:48 pm

      I know you love coffee, now you really can have it with any meal of the day. GREG

      Reply
      • valentina

        February 05, 2018 at 11:46 pm

        Ha! Love it! 😀

        Reply
    14. Eha

      May 28, 2021 at 4:41 pm

      5 stars
      Have made coffee marinades for decades ever since I discovered a few Swedish recipes used to prepare totally moreish lamb dishes ! Can truly recommend !! The glaze recipe is new and shall be tried soonest . . . both would well suit a number of proteins methinks . . .

      Reply
      • valentina

        June 04, 2021 at 1:06 pm

        Hi Eha, thank you for your comments. 🙂 I've used coffee with both steak an pork, but now, per your recommendation, I must try it with lamb. I bet it's delicious! ~Valentina

        Reply
    15. Vince'

      November 03, 2023 at 8:44 am

      5 stars
      This sounds caffebulous!
      I hope I get to try this soon.
      Thanks for sharing.

      Reply
      • Valentina

        November 03, 2023 at 9:03 am

        Hope you love it. It's definitely one of our favorites. Great paired with this Asian Slaw, too. Enjoy! 🙂 ~Valentina

        Reply

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    Hi, I'm Valentina, certified chef, owner, recipe developer and photographer at Cooking on the Weekends. I'm also a mom of two boys and a Los Angeleno. I use seasonal whole foods to create unique and comforting recipes for casual entertaining.

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