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Make Coca-Cola BBQ Sauce in 10 Minutes

10-minute Coca-Cola BBQ Sauce — a versatile, flavorful sauce perfect as a marinade, basting sauce, or served on meaty sandwiches and burgers.

I make this Coca-Cola BBQ Sauce practically every week. It’s rich, well-balanced, and ready in about ten minutes, which makes it ideal to keep on hand. The sweetness and acidity from the cola combine with tomato and savory elements to create a sauce that complements grilled meats, burgers, pulled pork sandwiches and more. You can use it warm for basting or cooling it down before using as a marinade.

This sauce works beautifully as a marinade, a basting glaze while grilling, or simply spooned onto meat sandwiches and burgers. It stores easily in the refrigerator for several days when bottled in a sterilized jar.

10-Minute BEST Coca-Cola BBQ Sauce

10-Minute Best Coca-Cola BBQ Sauce

Overview

This Coca-Cola BBQ Sauce is quick to prepare and highly versatile. It brings together cola, tomato sauce, brown sugar, Worcestershire, vinegar, a touch of heat and fresh garlic. Cook briefly until the sugar dissolves and the flavors meld. Use immediately warm as a basting sauce or cool before using as a marinade. Refrigerate and use within a week.

Author

Linda Nortje

Course

Marinade, Sauce

Time

  • Prep time: 2 mins
  • Cook time: 8 mins
  • Total time: 10 mins

Yield

About 2 cups

Ingredients

  • 1 cup Coca‑Cola (original, not diet)
  • 1 cup tomato sauce (thick ketchup)
  • 1/4 cup brown sugar
  • 1/3 cup Worcestershire sauce
  • 2 Tbsp red wine vinegar
  • 1/2 tsp Tabasco or other hot sauce, or to taste
  • 2 tsp fresh garlic, minced

Instructions

  1. Combine all ingredients in a small saucepan over medium heat. Stir to dissolve the brown sugar and blend the mixture.
  2. Reduce the heat and simmer gently for 8–10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until slightly thickened and well combined.
  3. Remove from the heat. If you plan to use the sauce immediately as a basting or burger sauce, warm is fine. If you intend to marinate meat, allow the sauce to cool completely before adding the meat.
  4. Pour into a sterilized bottle or jar and refrigerate. Use within 7 days.

Notes

If using as a burger or sandwich sauce straight away, there’s no need to cool it. For marinating, cooling first prevents partially cooking the meat and keeps food-safe temperatures. Adjust the hot sauce to your heat preference. The cola adds sweetness and depth; use regular Coca‑Cola for best results.

Suggested uses: Marinade, basting glaze, or poured directly on meat sandwiches and burgers — wherever you would use a classic BBQ sauce.

About the recipe creator

LINDA

If you enjoy this sauce, consider doubling the recipe and bottling it as a gift for friends or family who love grilling. It makes a thoughtful homemade present when paired with grilling tools or other homemade condiments.

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Nutrition values, when provided, are approximate. Check your ingredient labels for precise nutritional information.