Cola-pepper BBQ marinade
Cola-pepper BBQ marinade is a sweet, smoky, and slightly spicy sauce used to flavor meats before grilling or roasting. It typically combines cola for sweetness and caramel notes, black or white pepper for heat, along with soy sauce, vinegar, garlic, and sometimes Worcestershire sauce. This style of marinade is popular in American barbecue culture, particularly in the Southern and Midwest regions, where it's used on ribs, chicken, and pork.
🍽️ Nutrition at a glance
This marinade is generally high in carbohydrates and sugar due to the cola base, with moderate sodium from soy sauce and minimal fat or protein. A typical serving provides a quick energy boost from sugars, along with small amounts of minerals like iron and potassium from the spices and soy.
Nutrition breakdown
| Calories | 45 kcal |
| Protein | 0.5 g |
| Carbs | 10 g |
| Fat | 0 g |
| Fiber | 0 g |
| Sugar | 9 g |
| Sodium | 380 mg |
| Sodium | 380 mg |
| Potassium | 25 mg |
| Iron | 0.2 mg |
| Calcium | 5 mg |
Per 2 tablespoons (30 g) · estimated, varies by recipe
💡 What's interesting
Using cola in BBQ marinades is a clever way to tenderize meat with its acidity while adding a deep, caramelized sweetness that complements smoky flavors. Nutritionally, it's a reminder that many condiments can be hidden sources of added sugars, making them flavorful but best used in moderation.
