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We love our coffee, so when a holiday of paramount importance such as National Coffee Day rolls around (September 29, mark your calendars and ready your mugs) we celebrate accordingly. Specifically, with food. Here are 30 recipes with coffee you need to try.

 

Whiskey Ice Coffee Popsicles


This refreshing treat blends whiskey and coffee for a warm-weather dessert that’s the best of both worlds. Plus, the recipe instructs you to cold brew the coffee with a combination of milk and cream for popsicles that are decadent rather than watery.

 

Vegan Mashed Sweet Potatoes with Tahini and Coffee


The ultimate fall side dish, mashed sweet potatoes are a healthier alternative to traditional mashed potatoes. Floating Kitchen’s take includes a coffee-balsamic glaze that adds another level of flavor. 

Tiramisu Ombre Cake


It would be offensive to Italian grandmothers everywhere to have a recipe roundup of coffee-related recipes and not include tiramisu. This recipe takes the classic dessert a step further by turning it into a stunning layer cake that will make the perfect show-stopping finale to your next get-together. 

Sticky BBQ Spare Ribs With Coffee and Pepper Rub


It’s all about the rub! This tasty rib how-to includes made-from-scratch recipes for a coffee rub and barbecue sauce, both packed full of rich, bold flavor. In addition to ground coffee, cocoa powder, peppercorns, garlic, and honey help to round out this full-bodied dish.

Beef Chili With Coffee and Dark Chocolate


You may be surprised to know that dark chocolate is often found in chili recipes, as in many savory Mexican dishes. This version also calls for two cups of brewed coffee, for an even darker, richer flavor. And yes, the end result is plenty savory with lots of spice.

Coffee-Glazed Roasted Carrots


Coffee and balsamic vinegar create a delicious glaze that’s poured over roasted carrots 10 minutes before removing them from the oven.  This simple side is a healthy alternative to french fries or onion rings when burgers and steaks are on the menu.


Coffee BBQ Sauce


The next time you’re tasked to bring a side dish to a barbecue, offer to whip up a batch of this seriously tasty coffee BBQ sauce instead.  Use it to flavor ribs, chicken, grilled shrimp, or as a dipping sauce for fries. Yum!


Irish Coffee Granita


Granitas are seriously underrated, and way simpler to prepare than ice cream.  Simply pour your ingredients into a shallow dish, pop into the freezer, and fluff with a fork a few times as the mixture begins to harden. The result is a refreshing frozen treat similar to shaved ice—in this case, three ounces of Irish whiskey makes it the perfect summertime indulgence for adults only.


Biscuits With Red Eye Gravy


Southerners love their coffee.  Red Eye gravy is another delicious Southern recipe made by mixing the drippings of ham or bacon with coffee, and then cooking the mixture until it reduces. If you’ve never tried it, add Red Eye gravy to your foodie to-do list ASAP. It’s that delicious. Pour over biscuits, grits, scones, hashbrowns, or any non-breakfast item that needs a little liquid seasoning.


Chocolate Macaroons With Coffee Buttercream


Coffee buttercream?  Enough said. These little treats are a must-try. 


Coffee Crusted Beef Tenderloin


For more formal occasions or holiday meals, this coffee crusted beef tenderloin is a delicious crowd pleaser that’s much simpler than stuffing a turkey.


Martha Stewart’s Chile-Coffee Rub


Keep a jar of this rub on hand for a quick marinating idea any night of the week. Store in an airtight container to ensure the freshest, spiciest flavor with every use.



Coffee-Candied Bacon


Yes, bacon is an obvious hit at breakfast, but imagine showing up with THIS side dish at your next barbecue party.



Spicy Shrimp and Grits with Andouille Sausage and Red Eye Gravy


Coffee and seafood may not sound like an ideal pairing, but when there’s Red Eye gravy involved, it’s a match made in heaven. This take on classic shrimp and grits will take comfort food to the next level. 

Espresso-Braised Spring Onions


When time is short, this tasty side dish comes together in 20-30 minutes, and is delicious served hot or room temp.



Budget Friendly Coffee-Rubbed Pork Roast


This moist and tender pork can be served straight up, or on a bun topped with plenty of barbecue sauce and cabbage slaw.


Cappuccino French Toast With Coffee Cream


Just when you thought breakfast couldn’t get any more delicious, cappuccino french toast happens.

Coffee-Rubbed Prime Rib Roast with Roasted Garlic Gorgonzola Butter


Everything about this main dish sounds divine. Prime rib roast is a bit pricey, so save this recipe for a special occasion.



Salted Coffee Crusted Wings


Even chicken wings are getting the coffee treatment. But instead of a dry rub, this recipe calls for a coffee marinade that flavors the wings overnight before baking off in the oven.



Texas-Style Chipotle-Coffee Pulled Pork Sliders


Who doesn’t love a slider? This pulled pork version is plenty juicy and tender, thanks to a slow seven-eight hour roast in the oven. Don’t forget to top with lots of cilantro-jalapeno slaw for a hit of freshness and crunch.

Coffee Jelly


Who knew that coffee jelly was a thing? This version looks extra tempting with a creamy layer of sweetened condensed milk over top—a lighter take on dessert when counting calories in the summer months.


Coffee-Glazed Vegetables with Mascarpone Polenta


If you’ve run out of fresh ideas for cooking vegetables, try this recipe for coffee-glazed veggies with a yummy mascarpone polenta—great for Meatless Mondays.


Vanilla Bean and Espresso Granola


If you’ve never tried making your own granola, this recipe is reason enough to start. Cooled espresso is mixed into the sticky-sweet coating, giving it a delicious coffee flavor.


Cowboy Steak With Coffee Rub


When only red meat will do, THIS larger-than-life cowboy steak with a flavorful coffee rub hits the mark every time.


Chocolate Coffee Truffles


You may be surprised to know that truffles are simple to make—really! These call for only five ingredients (including espresso powder), and the end result couldn’t be more deliciously rich. In this case, the photo pretty much says it all.  

This story was originally published July 2016. It was updated September 2017.

See more recipe roundups:


10 Savory Pumpkin Recipes to Try All Season Long
Mouthwatering Spiked Cider Recipes to Try for Fall
Game Day Eats You Can Make Ahead of Time