To paraphrase the old slogan, things really do go better with cola, and these recipes prove it. Here we showcase the versatility of cooking with cola in this collection of desserts, sides, and main dishes.
Cooking with Cola
Although carbonated colas were originally flavored with a kola nut, they're now commonly flavored artificially with a combination of sugar, citrus oils, tamarind, cinnamon, vanilla and some type of acidic ingredient. Manufacturers of cola drinks add other ingredients in trace amounts to create distinctively different tastes for each brand. Because of the pleasing combination of flavors, it turns out that cola is an ideal ingredient for desserts, sauces, veggies and meats.
Coca-Cola Cake
Our Coca-Cola Cake is simply one of the best sheet cake recipes on earth. The magical brew of carbonated cola is the key to the tender texture of the chocolate cake.
Cola-Marinated Flank Steak
Combining cola and teriyaki sauce with hot sauce, onion and garlic creates just the right amount of sweetness in the tangy marinade.
See Recipe: Cola-Marinated Flank Steak
Cola Baked Beans
Achieve the perfect balance of sweetness for baked beans with cola, molasses and brown sugar.
Photo: Annabelle Breakey; Styling: Randy MonCola Shredded Beef Tacos
In this authentic Mexican beef taco recipe, the chuck roast is flavored with two types of chiles, cumin, Mexican oregano, and a Mexican cane-sugar sweetened or regular cola.
See Recipe: Cola Shredded Beef Tacos
Photo: Randy Mayor; Styling: Lydia DeGaris Pursell
Beer-Can Chicken with Cola Barbecue Sauce
The secret ingredient in the sweet barbecue sauce is the 1/2 cup of cola that's added to ketchup, Worcestershire sauce, and steak sauce.
See Recipe: Beer-Can Chicken with Cola Barbecue Sauce
Photo: Jennifer Davick; Styling: Lydia DeGaris PursellSlow Cooker Barbecue Pork
All you need are three ingredients-Boston butt, a bottle of barbecue sauce, a can of cola-and one slow cooker to make this tender barbecue pork.
See Recipe: Slow Cooker Barbecue Pork
Brined Maple Turkey with Cream Gravy
Basting the turkey in a mixture of cola and maple syrup adds sweetness and also contributes to the browning of the bird.
See Recipe: Brined Maple Turkey with Cream Gravy
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