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View Full Version : Has anyone used coca cola to marinade/soften ribs or brisket?


Dim
07-30-2013, 01:14 PM
There used to be a really good restaurant in South Africa that specialised in beef ribs ... there was not much on the menu .... basically a large slab of beef ribs served with chips and ice cold draught beer ... place was called the Rhodesian Rawhide

the place was always fully booked and it's the nicest ribs that I have ever tasted .... the rib portions were huge and the mop was superb (not too sweet, and not too sticky and perfectly spiced

they closed down a few years ago, but rumour had it that the ribs were first left to lay in coca cola for a day or 2 before being prepared in the normal way for the BBQ

has anyone tried using coca cola in this method for pork ribs or beef ribs or brisket? .... i.e soak in coca cola for a day or two before patting dry and adding a rub, then waiting a while before smoking/bbq'ing

I have done similar with chicken and it turned out very good (instead of using the normal recomended brine)

IamMadMan
07-30-2013, 02:47 PM
Have you ever wondered how many things Coca Cola can be used for? Aside from drinking for enjoyment, you can clean toilets and remove rust with the cola as well.

I have read about using it as a tenderizer and I have these notes in my notebook files... But never tried it. Being it is a marinade, I don't think I would wipe it dry before applying the rub, as marinades do not penetrate the meat like a brine would.

Using it as a meat marinade, the phosphoric acid in the soda acts as a meat tenderizer. It is a great cheap marinade for any meat, such as chicken, steak, or beef.

Here is a Coca Cola marinade.

12 ounces (355 ml) Coca Cola
1/4 cup (60 ml) vegetable oil
3 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice
1/2 teaspoon ground garlic powder
1/2 teaspoon ground onion powder
3 tablespoons soy sauce
1 tablespoon fresh grated ginger root
2 large fresh garlic cloves, minced
1 teaspoon kosher salt
1/2 teaspoon coarse ground black pepper
1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
1 pinch dried basil flakes

DownHomeQue
07-30-2013, 02:50 PM
yep.. liked the results too.. hadn't used on Brisket.. only as about an hour marinade on the ribs..

Dim
07-30-2013, 03:11 PM
I might try it with a pork ribs on the weekend .... I will soak the ribs for 24hrs in coca cola, then prepare as normal for the smoker, and see what happens

jimmyinsd
07-30-2013, 03:13 PM
check out PattioDaddios Cow Bath, I've used it plenty of times with great results.

oldbill
07-30-2013, 04:50 PM
I've heard of tests done in laboratories where they took a piece of steak and dropped it into a glass of cola (not sure what brand) and the meat eventually dissolved into particles. I guess they were trying to teach us how bad acidic drinks like colas are for us but what I got out of it was what a good tenderizer they would make! I noticed that Moe Casson from Pitmasters likes to use Coke as a marinade and as a steaming agent.

TheBourbonBear
07-31-2013, 12:26 AM
Had some country style ribs that I busted out of the freezer the other day. Used a 20 oz. Coke to tenderize them over night and they came out real tender. I typically only use this method on tougher cuts of meat

gmag
07-31-2013, 01:58 AM
I've used it on ribs. I've also used root beer and Dr Pepper.

Pappy
07-31-2013, 05:57 AM
I have added cola inside the foil when cooking BB ribs. Everyone liked it.

alvon
07-31-2013, 07:56 AM
i've used it on chicken, it gave some faint brown spots but did nothing bad to the meat, tasted good after cooking
acid wise it is arround the same as vinegar

Bludawg
07-31-2013, 09:19 AM
:tsk::laugh::laugh::laugh::laugh: ya'll crack me up!!! Soda pop, Pickle juice...... Forget the Snake oil and and just let the pit do it's magic. You cook it right is will be bursting with flavor and tender as a Mothers love.

Thermal Mass
07-31-2013, 09:31 AM
I have heard of it and considering some of the other things it can supposedly do it might very likely work and add some flavor. From what I have learned here; especially about ribs, not at all necessary. Just my experience.



Now if you really want something that is proven to work, get yourself some Tenda Rub!:laugh:















Sorry could't resist:tsk:

BB-Kuhn
07-31-2013, 09:38 AM
I've injected a pork butt with coke. It was pretty good. Can't say it would've tasted like what I put in, but as far as a flavorful, cheap marinade/injection you can't do much better.

Dim
07-31-2013, 09:55 AM
:tsk::laugh::laugh::laugh::laugh: ya'll crack me up!!! Soda pop, Pickle juice...... Forget the Snake oil and and just let the pit do it's magic. You cook it right is will be bursting with flavor and tender as a Mothers love.

:icon_smile_tongue: .... there's always a 'better way' to do things .... and if you dont try you will never know ....

if you keep on doing the same thing over and over again, life gets 'boring'

Bludawg
07-31-2013, 10:14 AM
I've been cooking Q for 30+ yrs I pretty much tried everything. A few things I have learned
Artificially induced tenderizing results in mushy meat
The meat is the Star don't up stage it with a bunch of Snake oil & seasoning( less is more)
Great BBQ don't need much if the pit master does his job and listens to the meat
The Critter gave the meat all it needed to be moist , tender & delicious, respect the life it gave up to give it to you enough not to screw it up.

Dim
07-31-2013, 10:27 AM
I've been cooking Q for 30+ yrs I pretty much tried everything. A few things I have learned
Artificially induced tenderizing results in mushy meat
The meat is the Star don't up stage it with a bunch of Snake oil & seasoning( less is more)
Great BBQ don't need much if the pit master does his job and listens to the meat
The Critter gave the meat all it needed to be moist , tender & delicious, respect the life it gave up to give it to you enough not to screw it up.

then, you should eat it Raw ...:icon_smile_tongue:

jokes aside ... I have BBQ'd with just plain salt and pepper .... and I have BBQ'd with salt, pepper, and a rub, and a good BBQ mop ....

and everyone that I have fed and catered for, prefers the meats that have the rub and BBQ mop

so, I suppose it's different strokes for different folks .... I always try new things .... if it turns out a flop, I loose £20 and the dogs get a treat ....

if it works, I have learned something new and will try 'tweaking it again'

bizznessman
07-31-2013, 11:59 AM
Here is a great recipe for success using Coke with BBQ meats.

1) Get one can of Coke
2) Gather up you favorite mix of spices
3) Apply spices liberally to meat
4) Pour the Coke into a glass
5) Add one or two shots of Jack Daniels
6) Begin smoking the meat
7) Begin drinking the Jack & Coke
8) Best damn BBQ in the world!!!!

:wink:

Riz58
07-31-2013, 12:04 PM
Our fajita marinade uses Coke and they are so good I can't hardly eat them in a restaurant anymore. I have tried Dr. Pepper ribs, but prefer my more traditional spices.

GrillsGoneWild
07-31-2013, 12:56 PM
I use Dr. Pepper on wild duck breasts to help get rid of the gamey taste for the wife and kids. Haven't tried it on other meat.

Maximum Burn
07-31-2013, 01:10 PM
yep.. liked the results too.. hadn't used on Brisket.. only as about an hour marinade on the ribs..

YES...and DR PEPPER

my friend makes a Dr Pepper sauce, is really good on hot dogs

she also makes DILL relish, melds so well

code3rrt
07-31-2013, 06:44 PM
Our fajita marinade uses Coke and they are so good I can't hardly eat them in a restaurant anymore. I have tried Dr. Pepper ribs, but prefer my more traditional spices.

Care to share the recipe, sounds interesting?

KC

bbqbull
07-31-2013, 07:14 PM
One time I bought 4 ribeyes that were an inch and half thick. Marinated them in coke along with salt,pepper,garlic and onion powder for 4 hours.
You could cut them with a fork!