There’s a certain comfort that tender and flavorful meat can bring to the table, quite literally! While it may seem off the beaten path, Coca-Cola pork loin are a staple food of the South that the rest of the country can enjoy. Discover the genius behind this recipe here.
A Little Sweet & A Little Heat: Our Coca-Cola Glazed Pork Loin
While it may sound foreign, our Coca-Cola glazed pork loin are a familiar friend to many in the South. This isn’t so surprising, when you take histoy into account. The ubiquitous red-labelled soda was invented in Atlanta towards the end of the 19th century. While not an overnight success, by the time of the World Wars, the drink had become a nation-wide success and the drink became sweeter with notes of orange and vanilla. It’s no wonder then that chef’s around the soda’s homebase began experimenting with ways to bring the drink into the kitchen! It was in no-time that the Coca-Cola glazed pork loin became a familiar home recipe. Here’s why:
Coca-Cola as a glaze makes perfect sense. It’s acidity will help tenderize the meat, while its syrups will sweeten the dish, quite literally! But, if you’re worried about any soda notes in your meat, don’t fret. The drink’s heavier notes will simmer out as you’re cooking. On that note, you can use any soda for a glaze! Root Beer and orange sodas will bring different notes to the dish as well. The only soda that won’t work is a diet soda. It’s the sugar in the soda that will caramelize the pork loin!
Once ready, this pork loin will feed quite a few mouths! To make sure these mouths are happy, keep in mind a few simple tricks and tips. First, make sure to pat the pork loin dry. This will help the loin develop a satisfying a crispy golden crust. Sear the pork loin in an oven-safe skillet, this will let it develop some flavor and texture before simmering. Once popped into the oven, no need to braise the pork loin. It’s a lean and tender cut, so letting it simmer by itself will keep it nice and juicy. With the recipe below, you’ll find that in just under an hour you’ll have a delicious Coca-Cola glazed pork loin for yourself.
Looking for a little something-something to pair with your Coca-Cola glazed pork loin? For indulgence, pair it with a cheddar biscuit and for some freshness, a peach, blueberry, and feta salad will do well by this dish! If you want to match richness with richness, chase our Coca-Cola glazed pork loin with a rich chocolate-honey layer cake.
Coca-Cola Glazed Pork Loin
Equipment
- 1 large oven-safe cooking skillet
Ingredients
For the pork loin:
- 1¼ lbs pork tenderloin
- ½ tsp ground black pepper
- ½ tsp smoked paprika
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp onion powder
- 1 tbsp olive oil
For the Coca-Cola glaze:
- ½ cup Coca-Cola
- ¾ cup barbecue sauce
- 2 tbsp soy sauce
- 1 tbsp Dijon mustard
- 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar
- pinch of chili flakes optional, for heat
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C) and pat the pork tenderloin dry with paper towels.
- Season the pork all over with black pepper, smoked paprika, garlic powder, and onion powder.
- Now, to sear the pork: Start by heating the olive oil in a large oven-safe skillet over medium-high heat. Add the tenderloin and sear for 2–3 minutes per side, until browned all over. Remove the skillet from heat.
- To make the glaze: Whisk together the Coca-Cola, barbecue sauce, soy sauce, Dijon mustard, apple cider vinegar, and chili flakes (if using) in a small bowl.
- Pour half the glaze over the pork in the skillet, then transfer the skillet to the oven and roast for 18–22 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 145°F (63°C).
- Remove pork from the skillet and let it rest for 5–10 minutes. Meanwhile, place the skillet back on the stove over medium heat. Add the remaining glaze and let it simmer for 3–5 minutes until thickened.
- Slice the tenderloin into medallions, then drizzle it with the reduced glaze. Make sure to serve it hot.