6 Creative Ways to Use Your Favorite Dark-Roast Coffee in the Kitchen

Published on Oct 1, 2020 at 1:49 PM

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Folgers® Coffee

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Shelf space in the kitchen is too precious to waste. To really make the most of your pantry, you've got to get rid of those ingredients you're only going to use once in a blue moon (looking at you, powdered milk) to make room for the true culinary multitaskers.

One ingredient that deserves its place in your pantry? Dark-roast coffee, like Folgers® Noir True Dark. Sure, you brew a pot of coffee every morning, but this staple can be used for so much more. Whether you buy it ground or in convenient K-Cup® Pods, dark-roast coffee adds bold, rich flavor to everything from chili to brownies. Ready to infuse some coffee into your cooking? Take inspiration from these six ideas.

In Spice Rubs

Ground coffee adds a punch of dark, earthy flavor to spice rubs, especially when combined with spices with more heat like cayenne pepper, smoked paprika, or chili powder. Mix a tablespoon or two into your go-to spice rub, or try this grilled coffee-garlic pork chop recipe.

In Decadent Desserts

You've probably had coffee in java-centric desserts like tiramisu before, but it can also play a behind-the-scenes role in sweet recipes that need a little extra something. Coffee pairs particularly well with dark chocolate, so you'll often find it in brownie and fudge recipes. This Tex-Mex sheet cake uses strong brewed coffee to amp up the chocolate flavor, while dark-roast coffee's intensity complements caramel's sweetness in this flan recipe.

In Sweet and Savory Glazes

Thanks to its bold, rich flavor, dark-roast coffee is particularly adept at walking the fine line between sweet and savory recipes. Case in point: this coffee-orange glaze plays off the saltiness of smoked ham. For a veggie-centric recipe, try a balsamic-coffee drizzle on grilled asparagus.

In Chili and Stews

Many stews and soups rely on hours of simmering to develop a complex, deep flavor profile. Don't have time? Stir strong brewed coffee into the liquid base — it's a shortcut to big, bold flavor. You won't taste the coffee in the finished product, but everything from beef stew to three-bean chili will benefit from the extra richness.

In Outside-the-Box Coffee Drinks

While black coffee will never go out of style, there's no harm in mixing it up with more inventive drinks every now and then. Bust out the blender to make some frozen coffee slushies, or simply pour hot coffee over a scoop of vanilla ice cream for an at-home affogato.

In Marinades and Braises

Infusing a marinade or braising liquid with brewed coffee brings more boldness to oven-roasted dishes, baked beans, and grilled meats. Add coffee to your broth-based braising liquid next time you make pot roast, or use it as the marinade base for everything from London broil to tofu steaks.