How to Use a Keurig Coffee Maker for Quick & Easy Coffee

Keurig coffee makers are single-serve machines that use pre-filled pods (called K-Cups) to brew coffee.

These machines are capable of producing a range of different beverages, including cafe lattes, cappuccinos, flat whites, and iced coffee. They can also brew coffee from your favorite coffee chains — Starbucks, Dunkin’, and McCafe (McDonalds). 

It’s easy to brew great-tasting coffee with a Keurig, provided you select the right K-Cup for your taste and use fresh, filtered water. In this article, you’ll learn how to use a Keurig coffee maker and the types of coffee you can make with one.

What Type of Coffee Can You Make With a Keurig?

Keurigs are versatile coffee makers that can make a variety of different types of coffee. The range of K-Cups available for the Keurig is vast. There are hundreds, if not thousands, of different K-Cup flavors on the market from various brands.  

The range includes different coffee bean types, roast levels, flavors, and beverage types. Keurig and other major brands such as Starbucks, Dunkin’, Green Mountain, and Peet’s Coffee produce K-Cups. You’re guaranteed to find a brew that’s a fit for you.

Here are some of the coffee types available for the Keurig coffee maker:

1. Classic Coffee — Regular black coffee (light, medium, and dark roasts).
2. Espresso-Style Coffee — Bold, rich, concentrated coffee shots (not true espresso but similar). 
3. Espresso-Style Milk Coffee — Latte, cappuccino, flat white, and other espresso-based brews (not true espresso-based but similar). 
4. Flavored Coffee — Vanilla, hazelnut, caramel, and seasonal flavors such as pumpkin spice.
5. Iced Coffee — Blends formulated for brewing over ice to create sweet, iced brews. 
6. Decaffeinated Coffee — A range of decaf options in various roast levels and beverage formats. 
7. Specialty Blends — Organic, Fair Trade, and gourmet blends in K-Cups. 
8. Extra-Strength Coffee — Stronger brews with a dark, robust flavor and higher caffeine content. 
9. Custom Coffee Pods — Refillable K-Cup filters allow you to brew your favorite ground coffee using a Keurig. 

What You Need to Make Coffee With a Keurig

You don’t need much to make coffee with a Keurig coffee maker. However, you’ll need the right K-Cups for the brew you wish to make. 

Here’s a rundown on what you need to make coffee with a Keurig and some K-Cup recommendations:

Tools Needed

1. Keurig Coffee Maker — Several models are available. Basic machines create hot-brew coffee using K-Cups. More advanced models have cold brew, “ICED,” and carafe brewing options.
2. Coffee Cup — You’ll need a coffee cup, mug, or heat-proof glass to brew the coffee into. 

Ingredients

1. Coffee Pods (K-Cups) — These single-use pods are available in hundreds, if not thousands, of different flavors and formulations. 
2. Water — Use cold, fresh, filtered water in your Keurig to create a clean brew and prevent mineral buildup in your machine. 
3. Milk (Optional) — Some K-Cups require milk. You may also want to add a splash of milk to regular black coffee made with your Keurig. 

Coffee Pod (K-Cup) Recommendations

There are several different K-Cup options to try. With so many different flavors and formulations out there, it can be difficult to navigate the market and find a K-Cup that works for you. 

Here are some popular options to try if you’re new to Keurig coffee:

1. Classic Coffee

• Green Mountain Coffee: Breakfast Blend (Light Roast).
• Dunkin’ Original Blend (Medium Roast).
• Peet’s Coffee Major Dickason’s Blend (Dark Roast).
• Caribou Coffee of Pics Colombian Blend (Various).

2. Flavored Coffee

• Starbucks Caramel Flavored Coffee.
• Gloria Jean’s Hazelnut Coffee.
• The Original Donut Shop Vanilla Latte.
• The Original Donut Shop Cinnamon Toast Crunch Latte.

3. Iced Coffee

• Green Mountain Brew Over Ice Hazelnut Cream.
• Starbucks Iced Coffee (Dark Roast).
• Dunkin’ Iced Coffee Original Blend.
• Dunkin' Cold Caramel.

4. Seasonal Coffee

• Green Mountain Pumpkin Spice (Fall).
• Starbucks Peppermint Mocha (Winter).
• Starbucks Pumpkin Spice Latte — PSL (Fall).

5. Decaffeinated Coffee

• Newman’s Own Organics Decaf Blend.
• McCafé Decaf Premium Medium Roast.

6. Speciality Beverages

• Swiss Miss Milk Chocolate Hot Cocoa Pods.
• Cinnabon Classic Cinnamon Roll Coffee.
• Twinings Chai Tea Latte. 

How to Make Coffee With a Keurig: Step-by-Step

Making coffee with a Keurig coffee maker couldn’t be simpler. Provided you have a machine, some K-Cups, and fresh, filtered water, you can make decent coffee in seconds. 

Here’s how to use a Keurig coffee maker, step-by-step:

1. Prepare the Keurig

First, plug in your Keurig coffee maker and turn it on. Lift the water reservoir lid and fill it with fresh, filtered water. Don’t use water straight from the tap and avoid overfilling the machine. 

2. Select a K-Cup

Select your chosen coffee pod (K-Cup). Lift the handle to open the K-Cup holder and insert it. Close the lid firmly and listen for an audible “click.”

3. Position Your Coffee Cup

Place your coffee cup, mug, or heat-proof glass on the drip tray of your Keurig. Make sure it’s aligned underneath the spout. 

4. Select the Brew Size and Strength

Use the machine's control panel (depending on specific Keurig) to select the desired brew size and strength. 

Advanced Keurigs may have several features such as cold brewing and strong brew. Refer to your manual and the brewing recommendations on the K-Cup packaging to make sure you select the correct settings for your chosen coffee. 

5. Brew the Coffee

Press the “Brew” button and wait for your coffee to dispense into the cup. Most K-Cups take less than a minute to brew. 

Once brewing is complete, remove your cup and discard the used K-Cup responsibly. Add milk and/or sugar to your coffee (if applicable) and enjoy. 

FAQs: Using a Keurig Coffee Maker

Want to learn more about Keurig coffee makers?

Check out the answers to the FAQs below…

1. What is a Keurig Coffee Maker?

A Keurig coffee maker is a single-serve coffee brewing system. It uses “K-Cups” — prepackaged pods that contain ground coffee and other ingredients that produce several different popular beverages. These coffee makers offer convenience and variety. With the right K-Cup and the touch of a button, you can create cappuccinos, lattes, mocha coffee, and many of your favorite coffee house drinks. 

2. Can You Make Iced Coffee With a Keurig?

Yes. You can make iced coffee with a Keurig. By brewing your favorite K-Cup flavor directly over ice, you can create a delicious iced coffee in seconds. 

3. Can You Make Cold Brew With a Keurig? 

Yes. You can make cold brew coffee with a Keurig. However, this is dependent on the machine you own. Some Keurigs only have a hot-brew function; others have a cold-brew function. To make a cold brew with your Keurig, opt for a cold brew K-Cup and brew using the cold brew setting on your machine.

4. How Much Caffeine in a K-Cup? 

A single K-Cup contains 12 to 14 grams of coffee. The brand of K-Cup, type of coffee, and type of brew all affect the amount of caffeine. The average K-Cup can contain anywhere from 70 to 150 mg of caffeine. 

5. Can You Make Espresso With a Keurig Coffee Maker? 

Keurig coffee makers don't produce the required pressure to brew a true espresso coffee. However, Certain K-Cups have been formulated to produce an instant espresso coffee with slightly bitter, bold, dark characteristics. 

6. What Are the Best K-Cup Flavors? 

What K-Cup flavor is “the best” comes down to personal preference. If you enjoy the flavors of freshly brewed arabica coffee, try Caribou Coffee or Pics Colombian Blend K-Cups. If you enjoy sweet, indulgent lattes give “Original Donut Shop Cinnamon Toast Crunch Latte” a go. If you want the best Keurig iced coffee, try Dunkin's Cold Caramel K-Cups. 

7. Are Keurig K-Cup Pods Refillable?

Not all Keurig K-Cups are refillable. However, the brand has released a universal refillable pod that can be filled with your favorite coffee and used in your Keurig machine. 

8. Do You Need a Special Keurig to Make Iced Coffee?

No. Although Keurig coffee makers with “ICED” or a brew over ice function provide simple, one-touch iced brewing, you can make iced coffee with any Keurig. If your machine doesn't have an iced coffee function, simply brew the coffee over ice to cool it, add milk, stir, and enjoy.  

9. Can You Use Regular Ground Coffee in a Keurig? 

You can use regular ground coffee in a Keurig by using the universal refillable K-Cup filter. These allow you to create K-Cups with your favorite blend and use them to make coffee with your Keurig. 

10. Are Keurig Pods Recyclable or Environmentally Friendly?

All of Keurig's K-Cups are made from recycled materials and 100% responsibly sourced coffee. The pods are recyclable in most states.