5 Ways to Repurpose Used Coffee Grounds 

February 01, 2020

Most people throw out their coffee grounds once they have finished brewing a pot, but did you know there are many ways to reuse them around the house and garden? Below are five ways to put them to good use. 

Compost 

Coffee grounds are a great addition to the compost pile, and studies show that a more nutrient-rich compost can be made with kitchen waste and coffee grounds than just waste alone. Soil with added compost will improve plant health by holding more water and nutrients while reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Coffee grounds will encourage microorganisms essential to soil health while repelling pesky mosquitos, fruit flies, and other invasive insects. You can include lawn clippings, newspapers, eggshells, and fruit and vegetable scraps in your coffee ground compost. 

DIY Body Scrub 

Making your own coffee scrub is an easy and affordable way to give yourself a spa day. Just mix coffee grounds, sugar, and melted coconut oil and scrub away! The texture of the grounds lends itself to be a great exfoliator to slough off dead skin and improve circulation. Caffeine works to reduce the look of cellulite and gives a firmer, plumper appearance to the skin. The coffee itself will also leave a subtle tint to give you an even, healthy glow. Store any extra scrub in an airtight container and refrigerate. 

Clean Pots & Pans 

Is last night’s dinner still lingering on your pans? Just sprinkle some used coffee grounds on the pan to gently scrub it all away! Like the body scrub, the coarse texture is great for scouring away caked-on food your kitchen utensils. Follow with a thorough rinse to have them looking good as new. 

Tenderize Meat 

Coffee contains natural acids and enzymes which break down muscle fibers in meat. Reuse your grounds by adding a blend of spices to make your own dry rub marinade for chicken, beef, and pork. The final product will be a tender cut of meat with a deep, rich flavor. Store any leftover dry rub in a cool, dry place. 

Blind Bake a Pie Shell 

Nope, you don’t have to wear a blindfold for this one. Blind baking is the process where a pie shell is pre-baked without the filling to yield a crispier crust or to make sure the filling doesn’t cook before the crust. To do a blind bake with coffee grounds, lay parchment paper over the shell, spread the used grounds over the paper, and pop it in the oven! The grounds will act as a weight to ensure an even crust all around. When time is up, lift away the parchment paper, add the filling, and bake according to recipe instructions. 

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