9 Surprising Recipes That Use Coffee Grounds

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If you’re anything like me, you go through coffee like water. I mean, I love the stuff. But it’s also expensive. So what can you do with all of those coffee grounds? You might be surprised to learn that there are a ton of recipes that use them! From desserts to main dishes, there’s something for everyone. Keep reading to learn about 9 surprising recipes that use coffee grounds!

Surprising Recipes That Use Coffee Grounds #1 – Coffee Ground Ice Cream

Ingredients:

  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • 1/2 cup whole milk
  • 1/2 cup granulated sugar
  • 1/4 cup light brown sugar
  • 2 tablespoons instant coffee powder
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • pinch of salt
  • 1 cup coffee grounds

Instructions:

1. Combine the heavy cream, milk, sugars, instant coffee powder, and vanilla extract in a medium saucepan over medium heat.

2. Cook the mixture until it comes to a boil, stirring frequently.

3. Remove the pan from the heat and stir in the salt and coffee grounds.

4. Let the mixture sit for 30 minutes to allow the flavors to meld.

5. Strain the mixture through a fine-mesh sieve into a large bowl.

6. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate it for at least 2 hours, or overnight.

7. Freeze the mixture in your ice cream maker according to the manufacturer’s instructions. Serve immediately or store in an airtight container in the freezer for later.

Surprising Recipes That Use Coffee Grounds #2 Coffee Ground Bacon

Surprising Recipes That Use Coffee Grounds #2 - Coffee Ground Bacon

Ingredients:

  • 1 pound thick-cut bacon
  • 1/4 cup coffee grounds
  • 2 tablespoons brown sugar
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper

Instructions:

1. Preheat your oven to 400 degrees F. Line a baking sheet with foil and set a wire rack on top.

2. Combine the coffee grounds, brown sugar, smoked paprika, cayenne pepper, and black pepper in a small bowl.

3. Cut the bacon into 1-inch pieces and toss them with the coffee mixture until evenly coated.

4. Arrange the bacon on the wire rack and bake for 18 to 20 minutes, or until crisp.

5. Remove the bacon from the oven and let it cool on a paper towel-lined plate. Serve immediately or store in an airtight container in the fridge for later.

Surprising Recipes That Use Coffee Grounds #3 – Coffee Ground Chicken Rub

Coffee ground chicken rub in a bowl

Ingredients:

  • 1/4 cup coffee grounds
  • 2 tablespoons paprika
  • 2 tablespoons garlic powder
  • 1 tablespoon onion powder
  • 1 tablespoon smoked paprika
  • 1 tablespoon black pepper
  • 1 teaspoon cumin
  • 1 teaspoon chili powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt

Instructions:

1. Combine all of the ingredients in a small bowl.

2. Rub the mixture all over a whole chicken or chicken pieces.

3. Preheat your grill to medium-high heat and oil the grates.

4. Grill the chicken for 8 to 10 minutes per side, or until cooked through. Serve immediately.

Surprising Recipes That Use Coffee Grounds #4 – Coffee Ground BBQ Sauce

jar of coffee ground bbq sauce and a teaspoon

Ingredients:

  • 2 cups ketchup
  • 1/2 cup apple cider vinegar
  • 1/4 cup coffee grounds
  • 2 tablespoons brown sugar
  • 2 tablespoons molasses
  • 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 tablespoon smoked paprika
  • 1 tablespoon onion powder
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper

Instructions:

1. Combine all of the ingredients in a medium saucepan over medium heat.

2. Cook the mixture until it comes to a boil, stirring frequently.

3. Reduce the heat to low and let the sauce simmer for 30 minutes.

4. Remove the pan from the heat and let it cool slightly. Puree the sauce with an immersion blender or in a regular blender until smooth. Serve immediately or store in an airtight container in the fridge for later.

Surprising Recipes That Use Coffee Grounds #5 – Coffee Ground Beef Stew

Ingredients:

  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1/4 cup of ground coffee
  • 1 onion, chopped
  • 3 garlic cloves, minced
  • 1 pound beef stew meat, cut into 1-inch cubes
  • 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
  • 2 cups beef broth
  • 1 cup red wine
  • 1 tablespoon tomato paste
  • 2 bay leaves
  • 1 teaspoon dried thyme leaves
  • 2 carrots, peeled and cut into 1-inch pieces
  • 2 celery stalks, cut into 1-inch pieces
  • 1 pound Yukon Gold potatoes, cut into 1-inch pieces

Instructions:

1. Heat the olive oil in a large saucepan over medium heat. Add the onion and garlic and cook until softened.

2. Add the beef and cook until browned.

3. Stir in the flour, salt, ground coffee, and black pepper.

4. Add the beef broth, red wine, tomato paste, bay leaves, and thyme. Bring the mixture to a boil.

5. Reduce the heat to low and let the stew simmer for 2 hours, stirring occasionally.

6. Add the carrots, celery, and potatoes and cook for an additional 30 minutes, or until tender. Serve immediately or store in an airtight container in the fridge for later.

Surprising Recipes That Use Coffee Grounds #6 – Coffee Ground Chocolate Cake

banoffee or coffee pie, cake or tiramisu cake

Ingredients:

  • 1 cup coffee grounds
  • 1 cup boiling water
  • 1/2 cup vegetable oil
  • 2 cups sugar
  • 2 eggs
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1/2 cup cocoa powder
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt

Instructions:

1. Preheat your oven to 350 degrees F. Grease and flour two 9-inch round cake pans.

2. Combine the coffee grounds and boiling water in a small bowl and let it sit for 5 minutes.

3. Add the oil and sugar to a large bowl and beat until combined. Beat in the eggs and vanilla extract.

4. Add the coffee mixture to the bowl and mix until combined.

5. In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, baking powder, and salt. Add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients and mix until well combined.

6. Divide the batter evenly between the prepared pans and bake for 30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of the cake comes out clean. Allow the cakes to cool in the pans for 10 minutes before turning them out onto a wire rack to cool completely. Serve immediately or store in an airtight container at room temperature for later.

Surprising Recipes That Use Coffee Grounds #7 – Coffee Ground Bacon Wrapped Dates

Surprising Recipes That Use Coffee Grounds #7 - Coffee Ground Bacon Wrapped Dates

Ingredients:

  • 1 pound thick cut bacon
  • 1 cup coffee grounds
  • 1/4 cup brown sugar
  • 2 tablespoons smoked paprika
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
  • 24 Medjool dates, pitted

Instructions:

1. Preheat your oven to 400 degrees F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.

2. Cut the bacon into thirds.

3. Combine the coffee grounds, brown sugar, smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, cayenne pepper, and black pepper in a small bowl and mix until well combined.

4. Wrap each date with a piece of bacon and secure with a toothpick.

5. Roll the bacon wrapped dates in the coffee mixture until evenly coated.

6. Place the dates on the prepared baking sheet and bake for 20 minutes, or until the bacon is crispy. Serve immediately or store in an airtight container in the fridge for later.

Surprising Recipes That Use Coffee Grounds #8 – Coffee Ground Chocolate Chip Cookies

Milk cookies served with coffee, chocolate chip cookies, coffee in the background

Ingredients:

  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 cup coffee grounds
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, at room temperature
  • 1 cup sugar
  • 2 eggs
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 2 cups semisweet chocolate chips

Instructions:

1. Preheat your oven to 350 degrees F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.

2. In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, coffee grounds, baking soda, baking powder, and salt. Set aside.

3. In a large bowl, cream together the butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in the eggs, one at a time, then mix in the vanilla extract.

4. Add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients and mix until well combined. Stir in the chocolate chips.

5. Drop dough by rounded tablespoons onto the prepared baking sheet. Bake for 10-12 minutes, or until the cookies are golden brown and set. Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely. Serve immediately or store in an airtight container at room temperature for later.

Surprising Recipes That Use Coffee Grounds #9 – Coffee Ground Beef Chili

This recipe was cooked in my camp oven!

Ingredients:

  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 onion, diced
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 pound ground beef
  • 1 cup coffee grounds
  • 1 tablespoon chili powder
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • 1 teaspoon cumin
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
  • 2 cans (15 ounces each) red kidney beans, drained and rinsed
  • 2 cans (15 ounces each) diced tomatoes, undrained

Instructions:

1. Heat the oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add the onion and garlic and cook until softened, about 5 minutes.

2. Add the ground beef and cook until browned. Drain any excess fat.

3. Stir in the coffee grounds, chili powder, smoked paprika, cumin, salt, and black pepper. Mix well.

4. Stir in the beans and tomatoes. Bring to a simmer and cook for 10 minutes, or until heated through. Serve immediately or store in an airtight container in the fridge for later

Surprising Recipes That Use Coffee Grounds Wrap Up

If you’re looking for a unique and delicious way to use up your old coffee grounds, look no further. These recipes are sure to surprise and delight your taste buds. Have you tried any of these recipes? Let us know your favorite in the comments below!

6 thoughts on “9 Surprising Recipes That Use Coffee Grounds”

  1. Was there supposed to be a picture between #6 and #7 in the ice cream recipe? There was a big space after the Instructions and #1 in the chicken rub recipe. There was a big space after the Instructions and #1 in the coffee ground chocolate cake. Bacon wrapped dates has a big space after #2. Cookies has a space after #4. I liked the stew and the ice cream recipes, I plan on trying them.

  2. Ashethia Renee Paolercio

    I would neverhave thought to put coffee grounds on my bacon. I didn’t use to be a coffee drinking but now I drink a big pot of coffee each day by myself. I have to have tons of sugar and creamers in my coffee. 

    I will have to try the coffee ground ice cream! It looks really delicious! I have never really thought to use coffe fro anything else besides drinking it. I have tried some desserts that have the coffee flavor. I do not think I would like the taste of coffee on my BBQ. 

  3. Hi there,

    Wow, I didn’t know that you could cook bacon with coffee. This is something I must try. It seems so easy to do. Can I use any type of coffee  I usually use Arabica coffee? Is that ok? Will the bacon taste different if I use another type of coffee? 

    Sorry for all these questions:) It’s preferable to know before I start cooking:)

    Thank you!

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