Beyond the Grill: Why Our Au Café Steak Rub Belongs on Your Veggies

When you think of a coffee rub, your mind probably goes straight to steak or ribs — and you wouldn’t be wrong. Our Au Café Steak Rub, crafted with rich Arabica coffee, smoked paprika, pure maple, and the rare and citrusy kick of green alder pepper, was made to elevate red meat. But here’s a secret: it’s equally unforgettable on vegetables.

Take Brussels sprouts, for example. These humble little cabbages often get a bad rap — until you roast them with a light coating of olive oil and a generous sprinkle of Au Café. As the sprouts caramelize, the maple in the rub deepens their natural sweetness, while the coffee adds a subtle, earthy richness that brings out their nutty undertones and the smoked paprika a bit of smoke and a bit of sweet. The green alder pepper finishes the bite with a delicate, wild heat that lingers just long enough to surprise you.

It doesn’t stop there. Try it on asparagus, where the smoky bitterness of the coffee highlights the spear’s grassy freshness. Toss it with mushrooms to turn up their umami, or even dust it on roasted carrots for a grown-up take on sweet-and-savory.

Why It Works:

• Arabica Coffee adds depth and roasted flavor, especially when caramelized.

• Pure Maple draws out the natural sugars in vegetables for a balanced sweetness.

• Green Alder Pepper delivers a unique zing that brightens everything it touches.

So while this indigenous vegetable seasoning was born from the fires of a traditional red meat roast, don’t underestimate its ability to bring your plant-based dishes to life. With Au Café Steak Rub, vegetables aren’t just a side — they’re the star.