Cola Barbecue Sauce
A rich, tangy barbecue sauce with cola, ginger, and Worcestershire for a sweet, smoky flavor perfect for grilling or as a dipping sauce.
Ingredients
Instructions
- Melt butter in a heavy saucepan over medium heat.
- Add onion, ginger, and garlic; sauté for 3 minutes or until tender.
- Stir in cola and bring to a boil.
- Add ketchup, lemon rind, lemon juice, Worcestershire sauce, steak sauce, liquid smoke, pepper, and salt; bring to a boil.
- Reduce heat and simmer for 5 minutes.
Tips & Substitutions
For a sweeter sauce, consider adding a bit of brown sugar or honey, which complements the cola nicely. If you want a spicier kick, add a dash of hot sauce or cayenne pepper. You can substitute the Worcestershire sauce with soy sauce for a gluten-free option. This sauce works wonderfully for grilling chicken or ribs, making it a versatile addition to your barbecue repertoire.
Serving Suggestions
This Cola Barbecue Sauce is perfect for slathering on grilled meats, especially ribs and chicken. It pairs beautifully with Flank Steak With Mustard-Caper Sauce, creating a delightful barbecue feast. Serve it alongside coleslaw or baked beans for a classic American meal. You can also use it as a dipping sauce for fries or as a glaze for roasted vegetables.
Storage & Reheating
Store any leftover Cola Barbecue Sauce in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to one week. When ready to use, simply reheat on the stovetop over low heat, stirring occasionally until warmed through. This sauce can also be frozen for up to three months; just thaw it in the refrigerator overnight before reheating.
Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)
Each serving of Cola Barbecue Sauce contains roughly 201 calories, with 3g protein, 29g carbohydrates, and 9g fat. It is a good source of iron (10% of the Daily Value). Note that it is relatively high in sodium, at 1022mg per serving (44% of the Daily Value).
Estimated from ingredients & per-serving nutrition — verify against package labels for allergies or strict diets.
* % Daily Values based on a 2,000 calorie diet (FDA 2020).
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use diet cola instead of regular cola?
Yes, you can substitute diet cola for regular cola in this recipe. The flavor will be slightly different, but it will still work well in creating a tasty barbecue sauce. Just keep in mind that the sweetness may be reduced, so consider adjusting other sweet ingredients accordingly.
How can I make this sauce spicier?
To add some heat to your Cola Barbecue Sauce, mix in a teaspoon of cayenne pepper or a couple of dashes of your favorite hot sauce. You can also experiment with adding some chopped jalapeños or a pinch of red pepper flakes to the sautéed onion and garlic for an extra kick before simmering the sauce.
Is this sauce suitable for vegetarian diets?
Yes, this Cola Barbecue Sauce can be made suitable for vegetarians. Ensure that the steak sauce and Worcestershire sauce you use do not contain animal products, as some brands may include anchovies. Most vegetarian Worcestershire sauces are available at grocery stores, or you can make your own at home.
Nutrition is estimated from USDA FoodData Central ingredient data and may vary with brand, portion and preparation — see our methodology. This information is for general educational purposes only and is not medical or dietary advice (disclaimer).