Are you a fellow coffee aficionado? If so, you’ve probably found yourself staring at the pot on occasion, wondering if your leftover brew is destined for anything besides the sink. You’re not alone. That last cup of coffee, sitting forlornly, doesn’t have to go to waste. In fact, extra coffee could be the start of something delicious… or downright genius! There are so many creative ways to reuse coffee. Here are some ideas on how to turn that “oops, brewed too much” mistake into a sustainable “a-ha!” moment.

Cooking and Baking

​Coffee Up Your Chocolate Pastries

We’re diving into the world of desserts first because, well… why not? 

Love chocolate cake or devil’s food? Did you know that just a little bit of strong coffee can take these classics from yum to can’t stop, won’t stop levels of delicious? Next time you’re whisking and folding all that chocolatey goodness, add a splash of your leftover brew. Not only will it add a little more moisture to your baked goods, but it will amplify the delicious chocolate taste of your favorite desserts. Soon, that “little too much coffee” will become the best kitchen mistake you’ve ever made.

In fact, here are 2 Steamy desserts you can make with coffee grounds:

• Chocolate and Coffee Cupcakes with Coconut Frosting
• Tiramisu Cupcakes

The Gravy Train to Coffee Town

Ever heard of red-eye gravy? It’s a diner classic and a Southern favorite. Imagine a coffee-infused gravy that’s bold and tangy. One that you can drizzle over your favorite dishes like cooked steak, fried potatoes, buttermilk biscuits, or you can even use it as a salad dressing. And it only takes 2 elements: the drippings of pan-fried country ham and black coffee. Jocelyn of Grandbaby Cakes likes to make hers with butter and beef broth. You can check her recipe out here!

Slow Cooking with Coffee?

For those of you who love your slow cooker as much as I do, let’s talk about transforming tough cuts of meat with coffee! Did you know that a dash of cold coffee in your slow cooker can do wonders for meats? Yup! A cup of joe can break down the meat and make it super tender, while also infusing it with a savory, rich flavor. This is an especially great trick for roast beef! 

 

Beverage Magic & Creamy Dreams

Coffee Ice Cream & Popsicles

Ever tried coffee ice cream made from yesterday’s pot? If not, you GOTTA try it! For coffee ice cream, you take heavy cream, whisk together heavy cream and sugar ’til frothy, then whisk in milk, vanilla extract and coffee, cover the bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate for 1 hour, then run through an ice cream maker. Looking for an even easier sweet treat? Sweeten your leftover coffee, add in a little milk, pour into popsicle mold and freeze! Then enjoy later for a frosty treat that will also pep you up!

In fact, here’s an incredibly decadent Vietnamese Coffee Ice Cream Recipe from our own Steamy archives.

Coffee Ice Cubes

Few things are more tragic than an iced coffee that’s diluted by melted ice. What if you could keep you coffee cold, without ever having to worry about it getting watered down? The secret? Coffee ice cubes! One of the easiest ways to keep your iced coffee robust and full-flavored throughout the course of your sipping is just to pour your extra brew into ice cube trays, let it freeze, then use as ice cubes in your cold brew. Your iced coffee will thank you.

​A Morning Coffee Smoothie

Eve thought about blending brewed coffee into your morning smoothie for a buzz with benefits? You totally can! In fact, Ambitious Kitchen has an amazing recipe for your remaining coffee! Find her Good Morning Coffee Lover’s Smoothie here! 

What About Leftover Coffee Grounds? 

It’s not just your leftover brewed coffee that has a wealth of great uses. Your used (or even unused) coffee grounds can be used for lots of things!

Your Secret Garden Ingredient

 

Who would have thought that your daily morning ritual could green up your garden? Coffee’s tannins are the compounds that give your morning brew its bitter flavors, and they are a great natural fertilizer. Enrich the soil of acid-loving plants by sprinkling in some used coffee grounds. You can also keep pests at bay with leftover grounds. Deter slugs, snails, and ants without harsh chemicals by sprinkling in some coffee in your dirt. 

Grounds for Beauty

Did you know that a handful of coffee grounds makes an excellent natural exfoliant? Goodbye, dead skin. Hello, radiant glow! Use them on their own or another great idea is to combine coffee grounds with coconut oil for a natural, gentle exfoliant that leaves your skin glowing. 

For a deep, natural shine, massage damp coffee grounds into your hair before shampooing. Coffee grounds can help remove product buildup and enhance your hair’s natural beauty. Some people also like to blend coffee grounds into homemade hair dyes to add a natural depth to their mane. 

Home Hacks with the Help of Coffee Grounds

Used coffee grounds as a deodorizer? Absolutely. They’re great at keeping shoe odors at bay. Just fill some tea bags or small fabric bags with coffee grounds and place them in shoes overnight. Got fridge odors? Fill a bowl with dry coffee grounds and place it in your refrigerator or any area that needs a little freshness. And you can even hide scuff in wood furniture with coffee grounds! Make a thick paste using coffee grounds and water or cooking oil and rub it into damaged areas, and allow it to sit for 15 minutes, then wipe away. It’s a low-cost, secret weapon for a fresher, cleaner home.

Culinary Creations

Looking to enhance the flavors of your meat? Mix coffee grounds with spices and rub them onto meats for an added depth of flavor and to tenderize tough cuts. A dash of coffee grounds mixed with a bit of salt, brown sugar, and your favorite spices also brings a unique twist to barbecued proteins. You can even use them in dressings and marinades. Blend coffee grounds with olive oil, balsamic vinegar, or soy sauce to create condiments that pack a punch.

Crafts and More

Want to make some homemade candles? Stir coffee grounds into melted wax, then add a wick and pour into a mold and viola! You have beautiful candles that give off a subtle coffee aroma as they burn. AND a natural room deodorizer!

Did you know you can also use coffee grounds to make inks and dyes? Just boil your coffee grounds in water to create a natural dye for fabrics or a homemade ink for artistic projects. It’s an eco-friendly and easy way to achieve a vintage or sepia-toned look. Dip dye skirts, shirts, or sweaters for a beautiful hombre vibe!

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Coffee For Everything!

There you have it! A wealth of amazing ideas to reuse brewed coffee and coffee grounds!

And now, it’s up to you, dear coffee lovers. I’d love to hear how you’ve turned your coffee leftovers into something amazing. Or did you discover a new favorite recipe that incorporates coffee? Perhaps you’ve found an innovative way to use coffee grounds in your daily routine? I want to hear all about it! Share your stories, tips, and tricks with us. Let’s make every drop count together!