You can brew tea using a Keurig in under 5 minutes per cup, making 1 serving at a time. This guide covers using pods, tea bags, or loose leaf with your machine.
Keurig machines are designed primarily for coffee but work well for tea when you use the right method. Whether you prefer tea pods, loose leaf, or bags, your Keurig can deliver hot water quickly for steeping.
This guide shows you how to brew tea using a Keurig, including tips for adjusting strength, making iced tea, and keeping your machine clean for the best flavor.
The essentials
Use dedicated tea pods or the hot water setting with tea bags or loose leaf for best results.
Choose the smallest cup size for a stronger brew and steep tea after dispensing for full flavor.
Let green or white tea water cool for 30-60 seconds before steeping to avoid bitterness.
Make iced tea by brewing over ice with a smaller brew size and refrigerate leftovers promptly.
Clean your Keurig regularly to avoid stale flavors and descale to maintain water temperature.
How to Brew Tea Using a Keurig
Yes, you can brew tea using a Keurig machine by using tea pods designed for Keurig or by brewing hot water with tea bags or loose leaf tea. The machine lets you make one cup at a time, typically in under 5 minutes.
Using a Keurig machine to brew tea quickly in under 5 minutes.
Start by filling the water reservoir with fresh, cold water. Use the smallest cup size setting on your Keurig to get a stronger brew since less water passes through the tea.
If you use tea pods made for Keurig, simply insert the pod and select the cup size. For tea bags, place one in your cup and select the hot water or smallest brew size setting to pour hot water over it. Loose leaf tea requires a reusable filter pod inserted in the machine, filled with your tea leaves.
After the machine finishes brewing, let your tea steep for the recommended time on the tea package—usually 3 to 5 minutes—to extract full flavor. Remove the tea bag or leaves to avoid bitterness.
Brewing Tea with a Keurig Checklist
Fill water reservoir with fresh water
Use tea pods or place tea bag in cup
Select smallest cup size for stronger tea
For loose leaf, use a reusable filter pod
Steep tea after brewing for 3 to 5 minutes
Tea Bags in a Keurig
You can put tea bags in the Keurig by placing one directly in your cup and brewing hot water over it using the smallest size setting. Do not put tea bags inside the machine’s pod holder as it may cause damage or clog.
Reusable Filter Pods
If you prefer loose leaf tea, a reusable filter pod works well with your Keurig. It’s easy to clean and lets you choose any loose leaf tea, but make sure it fits your machine model.
How to Make Iced Tea with a Keurig
You can make iced tea with a Keurig by brewing hot tea directly over a full cup of ice using the smallest brew size for a concentrated flavor. This method lets you enjoy iced tea quickly without waiting for cooling.
Freshly brewed hot tea poured over ice to make iced tea quickly.
Use tea pods labeled as concentrated or brew strong tea via the hot water method with tea bags or loose leaf. Concentrated tea prevents dilution when the ice melts.
After brewing, add more ice or cold water to adjust the strength and chill level to your taste. Store any leftover iced tea in the refrigerator promptly to keep it fresh and safe.
1
Fill the cup with ice
Use a large cup or glass and fill it completely with ice cubes.
2
Brew tea over ice
Select the smallest brew size and start brewing your tea pod or hot water over the ice.
3
Adjust strength
Add cold water or extra ice if the tea tastes too strong or weak.
4
Store leftovers
Place leftover iced tea in a sealed container in the fridge and consume within 24 hours.
Can Keurigs Brew Cold Tea?
Keurigs don’t brew cold tea directly. They brew hot water or tea, which you cool by brewing over ice or chilling after brewing.
Adjusting Tea Strength and Temperature for Best Flavor
Yes, a Keurig can make tea, and you can brew hot tea in this coffee maker by controlling water volume and temperature for the best flavor.
Start by preheating your mug: run a hot water brew cycle with no pod to warm the cup. This step helps maintain a steady steeping temperature and ensures your tea doesn’t cool off too quickly.
Use the smallest cup size and, if your Keurig model offers brew strength settings, select the strongest option. This concentrates the brew, making tea more flavorful and less diluted.
For delicate teas like green or white, let the hot water cool for 30 to 60 seconds after brewing before adding the tea bag or loose leaf. Water that’s too hot extracts bitter compounds quickly, spoiling the taste.
Steep your tea in the preheated mug for 3 to 5 minutes, or follow the package directions. This allows flavors to develop fully without becoming overly bitter or astringent.
Tip for green and white teas
Water straight from the Keurig can be around 192°F, a bit too hot. Waiting 30-60 seconds before steeping reduces bitterness.
Note on brew strength
If your Keurig lacks strength settings, use the smallest cup size and consider adding a second brew of hot water to adjust to your preferred strength.
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Common Mistakes That Ruin Keurig Tea
A common reason your Keurig tea tastes weak is using too large a cup size; it dilutes the brew and mutes flavor.
Not letting tea steep after brewing is another mistake. Unlike coffee pods, tea needs time in hot water to release flavor and aroma.
Keurigs that don’t get hot enough for tea usually need cleaning or descaling. Mineral buildup reduces water temperature, affecting taste and safety.
Warning about cleaning
Neglecting regular descaling can cause weak, off-tasting tea and may damage your machine over time.
Running multiple brews through the same tea pod or bag weakens the flavor after the first use because most tea leaves release their compounds on the first steep.
Avoid these mistakes
Use the smallest cup size for tea.
Steep tea in the mug after brewing for 3-5 minutes.
Clean and descale your Keurig regularly.
Use a fresh tea pod or bag for each brew.
Tea Variations and Health Considerations
You can brew both tea and coffee in the same Keurig machine safely, but it’s best to run a water-only cycle between to avoid flavor crossover.
Choose caffeine-free herbal pods if you want a warm drink in the evening or have a sensitive stomach. These pods avoid caffeine’s stimulating effects and are gentler on digestion compared to traditional tea or coffee.
Good for caffeine-free herbal tea
Celestial Seasonings Sleepytime Tea Plus Melatonin
The Body Cleanse Tea Pod offers a spicy, naturally caffeine-free option designed for any time of day, including evenings, and works well with Keurig machines.
Limit added sugar when brewing tea, especially if you have diabetes. Avoid sweetened pods or pre-flavored varieties that list sugar on the label. Instead, brew plain tea and add a small amount of a sugar substitute or none at all.
If you need a kidney-friendly choice, opt for low-potassium herbal teas. Some herbs contain less potassium than black or green tea, which can help manage potassium intake when kidney function requires it.
Avoid unpasteurized or raw teas during pregnancy or if your immune system is compromised. Pasteurized tea pods or tea bags brewed with hot water are safer because they reduce the risk of harmful bacteria or contaminants.
Rinse the Keurig
Run a water-only brew cycle between tea and coffee to keep flavors clean and avoid bitterness from leftover grounds or pods.
More Questions, Answered
Can I put regular tea bags directly into my Keurig?
You can put a regular tea bag into the empty Keurig cup, then brew hot water over it using the smallest cup size for best flavor. Avoid placing the tea bag inside the pod holder to prevent clogging and damage. After brewing, remove the tea bag promptly to prevent over-steeping and bitterness.
How long should I steep tea after brewing with a Keurig?
Steeping time varies by tea type but generally 2 to 5 minutes after brewing improves flavor. If you use tea bags or loose leaf in the cup, leave them in while steeping. For pods, the brewing cycle usually completes the steeping, so additional steeping is often unnecessary.
Is the water temperature from a Keurig hot enough for all types of tea?
Keurig machines typically brew water around 192°F (89°C), which is suitable for most black and herbal teas. However, delicate green and white teas brew best at lower temperatures (around 160-180°F), so using a Keurig may risk a slightly bitter taste for these. Adjusting brew size to reduce extraction time helps limit bitterness.
Can I use the same Keurig machine for coffee and tea without flavor transfer?
Yes, you can use one machine for both, but run a water-only brew cycle between drinks to flush out residual flavors. This prevents coffee oils or tea tannins from mixing and affecting taste. Regular cleaning of the water reservoir and needle also helps keep flavors distinct.
How do I clean my Keurig to keep tea tasting fresh?
Clean your Keurig’s water reservoir and pod holder regularly with warm soapy water. Descale the machine every 3 to 6 months using a vinegar solution or descaling product to remove mineral buildup. These steps prevent off-flavors and maintain consistent water temperature for better tea taste.
Can I make iced tea in a Keurig without a special pod?
Yes, brew hot tea directly over a full glass of ice using the smallest brew size for a concentrated flavor. The ice chills the tea quickly without diluting it too much. You can use regular tea bags or loose leaf in the cup, just like for hot tea.
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Caffeine & Sugar Drink GuideKnow exactly how much caffeine, sugar and sodium is in 150+ popular drinks, and set daily limits that fit you.Caffeine and sugar in 150+ drinksDaily limits, smart swaps and a cut-back planDaily caffeine and sugar calculator (Excel)