Coke And Soy Sauce: Why This Combo Works And What To Use It For

Separately, soy sauce and Coke are great ingredients for amping up steak, chicken, and more, but together the duo make for the perfect marinade. Soda works well as a meat marinade thanks to the phosphoric acid found in the beverage, which breaks down the protein's connective tissues until it's deliciously tender. 

The umami-rich, salty soy sauce almost works as a brine, pulling out moisture from within the surface to produce a juicy piece of meat. The incredible texture both ingredients bring to meat is what makes them great marinade components, but the combined notes are the real draw. Although the detailed components are shrouded in secrecy, Coca-Cola's flavor features citrus oils, nutmeg, vanilla, and cinnamon, giving meat a spiced, sweet flavor.

Soy sauce is equally mouthwatering; the balance of sweet, salty, and earthy flavors is perfect for elevating a range of proteins. Both ingredients are filled with depth, and together, they make the ideal sweet and savory mixture to elevate meat. To ensure the marinade isn't too salty, use about a half cup of soy sauce for every can of Coke. Stir some oil, garlic, pepper, and shallots into the mix and marinate the meat for at least an hour.

Since the sweet and savory duo works to tenderize food, you can use it on poultry, beef, or pork. With the help of other ingredients, the two can create the perfect juicy bite. Add minced ginger and garlic, shallots, rice vinegar, and sesame oil to the soy sauce and Coke mixture to imbue chicken with flavor before roasting it. The mix also works when creating a glaze, as well. Both soy sauce and Coca-Cola can take your chicken wings up a notch when reduced into a thick sauce. After searing the wings, add it to a pan with Coke, soy sauce, and other flavorings and let simmer until the sticky sweet mixture coats the wings.

For robust meat like steak, you can add a touch of sweetness into the mix to balance out its savoriness. Brown sugar or molasses bolsters the headiness of the Coke, helping it to stand out amidst the umami soy sauce and beef combo. Ginger brings a honeyed spice to the meat, and minced white onions add a pungent flair. With pork, the mild, sweet protein benefits from a bold, earthy presence. Amp up the umami soy sauce with some Worcestershire sauce, and throw in some rosemary, thyme, and nutmeg, as well.