There's nothing like sipping on a refreshing, crisp drink like Coca-Cola. For over 125 years, this iconic and delicious soda has been a favorite to people all over the world. However, did you know that Coca-Cola has many more uses than just a soda? Coca-Cola is the perfect ingredient to use to add flavor to your dinners and even desserts! It also acts as a great tenderizer and marinade for different meats. You can even use it around the house, who would've thought?
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Believe it or not, there are a bunch of recipes that use Coke as one of the main ingredients. So, instead of drinking it with your next meal, try using it to sweeten up your next dinner or dessert. You'll be impressed with these 12 recipes!
The Main Cola Course
1. Coca-Cola Chicken Wings
Chicken wings are the perfect appetizer or dinner, but sometimes they can take awhile to prepare. Common recipes will have you coat them in a flour mixture and then deep fry them, and there's absolutely nothing wrong with that. However, this recipe is really simple and only requires one pan (this recipe recommends using a wok if you have one).
The glaze on these chicken wings is seriously mouthwatering and uses a can of Coca-Cola along with some soy sauce, ginger, Shaoxing wine, orange peel and a cinnamon stick. You might have to try these out before Super Bowl Sunday! Here's the recipe.
2. Slow Cooker Shredded Beef Tacos
Three ingredients are all you need to make this shredded beef for your tacos! Chipotle peppers and some of the adobo sauce are combined with Coca-Cola and added to the beef round in the slow cooker.
The Coke will really tenderize the beef while it's slowly cooking. You can even use this beef in burritos, enchiladas or even on top of nachos. This is a great meal to set up in the morning, and when you come home, dinner will be all set! So easy! Here's the recipe.
3. Coca-Cola Pulled Pork
I don't think I have ever had a pulled pork sandwich that I didn't like! You really can't go wrong with slow cooking pork butt with some spices and barbecue sauce. The meat just falls off the bone because it's so tender, which makes it easy to shred. The Coca-Cola also helps tenderize and sweeten the pork.
This is another great meal to set up in the morning and by the time dinner rolls around, it will be ready for you! Don't forget the coleslaw! Here is the recipe.
4. Bourbon and Coca-Cola Steak
Even though you might like drinking that classic cocktail with bourbon and Coca-Cola, why not try using that combination in a marinade for steak! You can really use any cut of steak you like (this recipe recommends strip or flank steak), but just make sure it marinates in the refrigerator for at least two hours so you get the most out of all the flavors.
You can even prepare this ahead of time and store it in the freezer for future use. The steaks will get a chance to marinate as they thaw out. Here's the recipe.
5. Grilled Barbecue Beef Ribs
Ribs are the best rustic and meaty meal to eat with your hands. Kind of makes you feel like a caveman/woman, right? To get ribs that are tender instead of tough, they are boiled for about 2 hours in Coke, water, peppercorns and salt.
Afterwards, they are grilled or broiled and brushed with homemade barbecue sauce or your favorite store-bought variety. This will be your go-to rib recipe! Find it here.
6. Cola and Mustard Glazed Ham
Spiraled ham is a popular dish that might be found on your holiday table this year! This recipe is easy to make, especially when you don't want to spend hours and hours in the kitchen!
This recipe is sweet and savory with flavors from the Coke, whole grain mustard and brown sugar, and I'm sure you and you're guests will eat every last slice of ham! Here is the recipe.
Sweet Cola Treats
7. Coca-Cola Cookies with Coca-Cola Frosting
Coca-Cola in cookies? Yes, you read that right! The soda in this recipe makes the cookies really soft and tender and a perfect holiday cookie (or for any occasion cookie for that matter!). The frosting on top will add some sweetness and really help finish off these cookies. Definitely a recipe worth trying! Find it here.
8. Coca-Cola Bundt Cake
Bundt cakes are fun and simple to make. The cake turns out perfectly cooked and looks amazing. You can make a bundt cake in that classic round pan or you can impress your guests and buy one of those gorgeous decorative pans, just make sure to grease the pan really well so it doesn't stick!
This Coca-Cola bundt cake is slightly chocolatey, with a hint of espresso powder and that Coca-Cola glaze really brings out that sweet soda flavor. And of course, this cake is topped with pecans! Here's the recipe.
9. Coca-Cola Soft Serve Ice Cream with Peanut Brittle
There's nothing like silky smooth soft serve ice cream. I absolutely love this unique ice cream flavor using Coke. You will begin by boiling the soda in a pan until it's reduced down to a syrup like consistency.
Once you have the rest of ingredients combined for the ice cream base, it gets churned in an ice cream maker. Please, go out and invest in a ice cream maker or in the attachment for your KitchenAid mixer. They're inexpensive and always there for you when you have an ice cream craving!
This ice cream is topped with homemade peanut brittle for a nice sweet crunch and looks like the perfect all-American dessert! Here's the recipe.
10. Coca-Cola Ice Cream Float
While we're on the topic of ice cream (who doesn't love talking about ice cream?!) why not try out this classic ice cream float that's seriously so easy. Just two ingredients you'll need: ice cream and Coca-Cola.
This recipe suggests using vanilla ice cream, but if you want to be a little adventurous, try out using a different flavor. Or you can even make the ice cream above! Serve in a tall glass with a long spoon for the ultimate retro experience. Here is the recipe.
11. Coca-Cola Cupcakes with Vanilla Frosting
The Coke in this recipe gives great flavor and sweetness to these cupcakes. However, the method is a little different than some cupcake recipes you might be used to. The dry ingredients are combined while the soda, butter, cocoa powder and sugars are heated together.
Once that mixture is cooled, it's combined with the eggs and dry ingredients. Top with vanilla or chocolate buttercream. Say hello to your go-to cupcake recipe! Here is the recipe.
12. Coca-Cola Brownie Sundae
I could use this brownie sundae right about now! Anyone else feel the same way? The shortcut in this recipe is great for when you're tight on time and just want an amazing dessert.
It uses boxed brownie mix and the end result is a fudgy chocolate brownie. For the ultimate experience, serve warm with a scoop of ice cream, homemade Coca-Cola fudge sauce and a cherry. Here is the recipe.
