Molho de Cafe

August 7, 2025

Molho de Cafe - kvalifood.com

Molho de cafe is a Lisbon steak sauce made by deglazing a steak pan with port wine and espresso, then finishing with cream. The dish (bife com molho de cafe) is a Lisbon institution. The sauce should be made in the same pan used to sear the steaks.

Makes sauce for 4 steaks

Ingredients

100 ml strong brewed espresso (2 shots), cooled slightly
150 ml heavy cream
50 ml tawny port wine
1 tbsp butter (15 g), cold, cut into pieces
2 garlic cloves (ca. 10 g), lightly crushed
1 dried bay leaf
freshly ground black pepper
salt

Directions

After searing steaks, lower heat to medium. Add crushed garlic and bay leaf. Cook 30 seconds.

Pour in port wine. Scrape up browned bits. Let reduce by half (about 1 minute).

Add espresso. Simmer 1 minute.

Pour in cream. Simmer 2-3 minutes until the sauce coats a spoon.

Remove from heat. Discard garlic and bay leaf. Whisk in cold butter pieces for gloss.

Season with salt and pepper. Spoon over steaks.

Notes

Milk variation (historical): replace cream with 150 ml whole milk. Add 1 tsp cornstarch dissolved in the milk for body. This is closer to the original “bife a cafe.”
Use a strong espresso or moka pot brew. Filter coffee will taste flat.
Tawny port adds rounded sweetness. Ruby port or dry red wine also work.
Traditionally served with fried potatoes.