Cola BBQ Sauce
Cola BBQ Sauce is a sweet and tangy American barbecue sauce that uses cola as a key ingredient to add depth, caramel notes, and a glossy finish. It typically combines cola with tomato-based elements like ketchup, along with vinegar, mustard, Worcestershire sauce, and spices such as paprika and garlic. This style of sauce is popular across the United States, particularly in backyard grilling and cookout culture.
🍽️ Nutrition at a glance
This sauce is generally high in carbohydrates, primarily from sugars in the cola and added sweeteners, with minimal protein or fat. A typical serving provides a quick energy boost from its sugar content and small amounts of minerals like potassium from the tomatoes and cola.
Nutrition breakdown
| Calories | 70 kcal |
| Protein | 0.5 g |
| Carbs | 17 g |
| Fat | 0 g |
| Fiber | 0 g |
| Sugar | 15 g |
| Sodium | 320 mg |
| Potassium | 85 mg |
| Vitamin C | 2 mg |
| Iron | 0.3 mg |
| Calcium | 10 mg |
| Vitamin A | 15 IU |
| Magnesium | 5 mg |
| Phosphorus | 10 mg |
| Zinc | 0.1 mg |
Per 1/4 cup (60 g) · estimated, varies by recipe
💡 What's interesting
The use of cola in BBQ sauce is a clever example of American culinary improvisation, transforming a popular soda into a complex flavor enhancer that tenderizes meat and adds a unique caramelized sweetness. Nutritionally, it highlights how a single ingredient can significantly alter a sauce's sugar profile and flavor depth.
