Tender Coca-Cola Glazed Pork Loin Recipe From the South

Old South Coca-Cola pork loin represents a beloved tradition from Southern kitchens that has delighted families for generations.

Slow-cooked to tender perfection, it combines sweet and savory flavors in a way that feels both comforting and special enough for Sunday dinner.

The recipe honors regional cooking styles where pantry staples become something memorable without requiring fancy techniques or hard-to-find items.

What makes it stand out is how effortlessly it goes from weeknight meal to centerpiece for entertaining.

You can count on juicy, flavorful results that please everyone at the table, from picky eaters to seasoned food enthusiasts.

The caramelized exterior and melt-in-your-mouth texture make every bite satisfying.

Perfect for potlucks, family gatherings, or simply treating yourself to genuine Southern comfort food, it never disappoints.

Why Old South Coca Cola Pork Loin Works

• Southern Comfort: This classic recipe brings pure Southern charm straight to your dinner table, perfect for family gatherings where everyone craves something special and deliciously different.
• Crazy-Easy Prep: The marinade comes together in minutes, letting you toss ingredients in a dish and forget about it overnight while flavor magic happens in the refrigerator.
• Soda Surprise: Using Coca-Cola creates a unique sweet-savory glaze that transforms an ordinary pork loin into a standout main dish that will have dinner guests asking for your recipe.
• Make-Ahead Magic: The overnight marinade means less stress on cooking day, giving you more time to relax and enjoy preparing a meal that feels like a treasured family tradition.

Essential Ingredients for Coca-Cola Pork Loin

• 1 3-5 lb Pork Loin Roast: The star of the show, this tender cut will soak up all the delicious flavors of the marinade.

• 1 cup Coca-Cola, ⅔ cup Coca-Cola: The secret weapon that adds sweetness and helps tenderize your meat.
• ¼ cup Soy Sauce, 2 tablespoons Worcestershire Sauce: These sauces bring deep, savory umami notes to your roast.
• ⅓ cup Ketchup: Adds a tangy sweetness that complements the pork perfectly.
• ⅓ cup Balsamic Vinegar, 2 tablespoons Balsamic Vinegar: Brings a rich, complex acidic touch to balance the sweetness.

• 3 tablespoons Vegetable Oil: Helps distribute flavors and prevents sticking.
• 2 tablespoons Dijon Mustard, 1 tablespoon Dry Mustard: Provides a sharp, zingy background flavor to your roast.
• 2 teaspoons Minced Garlic, 1 teaspoon Ground Ginger, 1 teaspoon Dried Thyme: A trio of herbs and spices that create a robust flavor profile.
• 1 cup Brown Sugar: Caramelizes beautifully, creating a rich glaze for your pork.
• 2 tablespoons Butter: Adds richness and helps create a silky sauce.
• 1 tablespoon Cornstarch: Thickens the sauce to the perfect consistency.
• Salt and Pepper to Taste: Enhances all the other flavors in the dish.

Basic Tools for Cola Pork Loin

• Large Baking Dish: A rectangular ceramic or glass dish where your pork loin can comfortably sit during marinating and easily transfer to the oven.
• Whisk: A handheld tool to blend marinade and sauce ingredients smoothly without lumps.
• Roasting Pan: A sturdy metal pan with sides high enough to catch drippings while your pork roasts evenly.
• Meat Thermometer: Essential for checking your pork’s internal temperature and ensuring perfect doneness.
• Saucepan: A medium-sized pot for creating and reducing your Coca-Cola sauce to the right consistency.
• Sharp Carving Knife: Needed for slicing your roasted pork loin into tender, even portions.
• Cutting Board: A large wooden or plastic surface to safely slice your cooked meat.
• Measuring Cups and Spoons: Precise measurements for your marinade and sauce ingredients.

Cooking Method for Coca-Cola Pork Loin

Cook Smarter With Old South Coca-Cola Pork Loin

• Let the pork soak up all those delicious Coca-Cola flavors by giving your meat a long, relaxing bath in the marinade overnight. This helps tenderize and infuse deep flavor into every bite.
• Cook your pork loin at a gentle 325°F, which helps keep the meat super juicy and prevents your protein from drying out during roasting.
• Use a meat thermometer to ensure your pork reaches 175°F, guaranteeing a perfectly cooked and safe-to-eat main dish that’s tender and succulent.
• Whisking your sauce ingredients and letting them simmer creates a rich, thick coating that caramelizes beautifully over the pork during the final roasting stage.
• After roasting, let your pork loin rest for 5 minutes before slicing, which helps redistribute the juices and keeps the meat moist when serving.

Easy Variations for Coca-Cola Pork Loin

• Spicy Cola Kick: Add red pepper flakes or sriracha to the marinade for a fiery version that’ll warm up your dinner plate.
• Maple-Cola Swap: Replace some sugar with maple syrup for a deeper, woodsy sweetness that complements the pork’s richness.
• Gluten-Free Friendly: Use tamari instead of soy sauce and check that your cola is gluten-free to make this recipe safe for sensitive diets.
• Slow Cooker Option: Transfer marinated pork and sauce to a slow cooker, cooking on low for 6-8 hours for an effortless hands-off meal that falls apart tenderly.

Best Ways To Plate Old South Coca Cola Pork Loin

• Perfect Portion Sizes: Slice this tender pork loin into 1/2-inch thick pieces, which delivers about 4-6 servings per roast depending on the size of your cut.
• Classic Southern Side Dish: Serve with creamy mashed potatoes or buttery corn on the cob to complement the rich, sweet glaze of the pork.
• Wine Pairing Recommendation: Choose a slightly sweet Riesling or a medium-bodied Zinfandel to match the caramelized Coca-Cola sauce’s flavor profile.
• Leftovers Transformation: Shred any remaining pork and toss into sandwiches or tacos for a delicious next-day meal that keeps the Southern comfort going.

How Long Does Old South Coca-Cola Pork Loin Keep

• Store the marinated pork loin in a sealed container or tight plastic wrap to prevent any leaks in your refrigerator overnight.
• Transfer leftover pork to an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 3-4 days, keeping the sauce separate to maintain the meat’s texture.
• Freeze sliced pork without the sauce in freezer-safe bags for maximum 2 months, removing as much air as possible to prevent freezer burn.
• When reheating, warm your pork gently in the oven at 325°F with a splash of broth to keep the meat moist and prevent drying out.

Old South Coca Cola Pork Loin Frequently Asked Questions

Old South Coca-Cola Pork Loin Recipe

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• Total Time: Overnight plus 1 hour 35 minutes to 2 hours 5 minutes
• Yield: 6 1x

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Description

Coca-Cola Pork Loin sings with Southern charm, bringing sweet and tangy magic to your dinner table. Juicy pork marinated in classic soda delivers a mouthwatering centerpiece that’ll have your family asking for seconds.

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Ingredients

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Proteins:

• 1 3-5 lb pork loin roast

Marinade Liquids:

• 1 cup Coca-Cola
• ¼ cup soy sauce
• ⅓ cup ketchup
• ⅔ cup Coca-Cola
• ⅓ cup balsamic vinegar
• 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
• 2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar

Seasonings and Enhancers:

• 3 tablespoons vegetable oil
• 2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
• 1 tablespoon dry mustard
• 2 teaspoons minced garlic
• 1 teaspoon ground ginger
• 1 teaspoon dried thyme
• 1 cup brown sugar
• 2 tablespoons butter
• 1 tablespoon cornstarch
• Salt and pepper to taste

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Instructions

1. Combine all marinade ingredients in a large glass dish, whisking 2 minutes until completely smooth and well-blended.
2. Submerge the entire pork loin in the marinade, ensuring complete coverage. Refrigerate 8-12 hours, turning once halfway through marinating time.
3. Remove pork from refrigerator 45 minutes before roasting to reach room temperature. Preheat oven to 325°F.
4. Transfer pork from marinade to a roasting pan, discarding remaining liquid. Season generously with salt and pepper.
5. Roast the pork loin at 325°F for approximately 25-30 minutes per pound, using a meat thermometer to check internal temperature reaches 145°F.
6. While pork roasts, prepare cola sauce by combining ⅔ cup Coca-Cola, 1 cup brown sugar, 1 Tbsp cornstarch, 2 Tbsp butter, and ½ tsp dry mustard in a saucepan.
7. Simmer sauce over medium heat for 8-10 minutes, stirring constantly until mixture thickens and becomes glossy.
8. Brush half the prepared cola sauce over the pork during the last 30 minutes of roasting.
9. Remove pork from oven and let rest 10-15 minutes before slicing. This allows juices to redistribute throughout the meat.
10. Slice pork against the grain into ½-inch thick pieces. Drizzle remaining cola sauce over the slices before serving.

Notes

• The longer you marinate the pork, the more flavor penetrates the meat, so aim for a full 8-12 hours if possible.
• Check your pork’s internal temperature with a meat thermometer to ensure it reaches 175°F for perfect tenderness without drying out.
• Use regular Coca-Cola for this recipe, as diet soda won’t provide the same caramelization and depth of flavor.
• Let the pork rest after cooking so the juices redistribute, keeping your meat moist and preventing it from becoming tough when sliced.

• Prep Time: Overnight (refrigeration)
• Cook Time: 1 hour 30 minutes to 2 hours
• Category: Pork
• Method: Roasting
• Cuisine: Southern American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 6
• Calories: 385 kcal
• Sugar: 41 g
• Sodium: 700 mg
• Fat: 15 g
• Saturated Fat: 6 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
• Trans Fat: 0.1 g
• Carbohydrates: 46 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 30 g
• Cholesterol: 85 mg