Cowboy Coffee: How to Brew Coffee in a Pot Without a Filter

Cowboy coffee is coffee brewed by steeping coarse grounds directly in hot water in a pot, with no filter, then letting the grounds sink before pouring. To make it, bring water to a boil, take it off the heat for 30 seconds, stir in about 2 tablespoons of coarse coffee per 8 fl oz of water, steep for 4 minutes, add a splash of cold water to settle the grounds, and pour slowly. It is rugged, bold and needs nothing more than a pot and a fire or stove.

It is the brewing method of trail drives, hunting camps and power outages, and done right it is genuinely delicious, not the gritty, scorched brew of legend. This guide covers the campfire and stovetop methods, the right ratio, and the tricks for settling grounds so your cup stays clean.

What You Need for Cowboy Coffee

• A pot or kettle. A camp coffee pot, a saucepan or an enamel pot all work. A pot with a pouring spout or lip makes serving easier.
• Coarsely ground coffee. Coarse is critical: fine coffee stays suspended and ends up in your teeth.
• Water, ideally fresh and clean.
• A heat source: campfire, camp stove or kitchen stove.
• A long spoon or stick for stirring, and a heatproof glove or bandana for the handle.
• A little cold water set aside for settling the grounds.

Cowboy Coffee Ratio

Start with 2 level tablespoons of coarse coffee per 8 fl oz (240 ml) of water, which works out to roughly 1:20 by weight. Go up to 3 tablespoons per 8 oz (closer to 1:13) for a classic, campfire-strong cup. If you want a more precise approach, see our coffee to water ratio guide.

Weights assume about 6 g per level tablespoon of coarse grounds. Add a little extra water to your pot to account for what the grounds absorb and the last bit you will leave behind.

How to Make Cowboy Coffee on the Stove

1. Bring water to a boil in your pot.
2. Take it off the heat and let it rest for about 30 seconds. Water at a hard, rolling boil can extract harsh, bitter flavors.
3. Add the coffee on top of the water.
4. Stir well so all the grounds are wet and no dry clumps float on top.
5. Steep for 4 minutes with a lid on if you have one. Go up to 5 minutes for a stronger brew.
6. Settle the grounds. Sprinkle about a quarter cup (60 ml) of cold water over the surface and give the side of the pot a few gentle taps. Wait 1 to 2 minutes.
7. Pour slowly and steadily, without tilting the pot back and forth. Stop before the last half inch, where the grounds have collected.

How to Make Cowboy Coffee Over a Campfire

The method is the same, but heat control takes a little more attention.

1. Build a bed of hot coals rather than big flames, or set up a grate over the fire.
2. Heat the water in your pot until it comes to a boil.
3. Move the pot to a cooler spot at the edge of the fire or onto a flat rock. You want it very hot, not boiling.
4. Stir in the coffee and steep for about 4 minutes.
5. Settle with cold water and a few taps on the pot.
6. Pour carefully, using a glove or bandana on the hot handle.

Old-school trick: Some campers swing the pot in a big arc to push the grounds down with centrifugal force. It works, but only try it with a lid secured and nobody standing nearby.

For more ideas on brewing outdoors, read our guide to coffee for hiking and camping.

How to Settle the Grounds (and Avoid a Gritty Cup)

Settling the grounds is the make-or-break step. Here is what helps most:

• Grind coarse and even. Coarse particles sink fast; fine dust floats.
• Add a splash of cold water. It cools the surface layer, and the denser cooler water helps carry floating grounds down.
• Tap the pot a few times with a spoon to knock grounds off the surface.
• Be patient. One or two minutes of rest makes a huge difference.
• Pour gently in one motion and leave the last bit behind.
• Use a backup strainer if you have one: a small mesh sieve or even a clean bandana over the cup catches stragglers.
• Folk method: Some people add crushed eggshells to the pot, a long-standing camp tradition said to help the grounds clump and sink. Clean shells only, if you try it.

Common Cowboy Coffee Mistakes

Pot-brewed coffee shows up in many traditions around the world; if you like this style, you may also enjoy Mexico's spiced café de olla or a cup of Turkish coffee.

The Best Coffee for Cowboy Coffee

Cowboy coffee is a full-immersion brew with no paper to catch oils, so it produces a heavy, rich body. Bold, chocolatey coffees are perfect. Our Cowboy Blend, a mix of dark and medium roasts with cocoa, caramel and vanilla notes, was practically made for the pot. For an earthier option, try Sumatra. If you are camping without a grinder, grind your beans coarse at home and pack them in an airtight container.

Cowboy Coffee FAQ

How do you keep grounds out of cowboy coffee?

Use a coarse grind, add a splash of cold water after steeping, tap the pot and wait a minute or two before pouring slowly. Leave the last half inch in the pot, where the grounds collect.

How much coffee do you use for cowboy coffee?

About 2 tablespoons of coarse grounds per 8 fl oz of water is a good start. Use up to 3 tablespoons for a stronger, traditional cup.

Should you boil cowboy coffee?

Boil the water, but not the coffee. Add the grounds just off the boil and keep the pot hot without letting it bubble hard, which gives a harsher, more bitter brew.

Is cowboy coffee stronger than regular coffee?

It can be, depending on how much coffee you use and how long you steep it. The full immersion and lack of filter also give it a heavier body, so it often tastes stronger.

Saddle Up Your Coffee Pot

Cowboy coffee proves you do not need gear to brew a great cup: coarse grounds, hot water, 4 minutes and a little patience while the grounds settle. Feel Espresso roasts every coffee order 1–5 days before delivery, so your camp coffee starts fresh. Pack a bag of Cowboy Blend for your next trip, or explore our coffee blends for more bold, full-bodied options.