Coca Cola Roast

8 servings Prep: 15 m Cook: 3 h Total: 3 h 15 m Beginner
5.0/5 (1)
Coca Cola Roast
An interesting cooking angle to get a better gravy with the older Cajun women when cooking a meat dish was to caramelize sugar after browning the meat. Some cooks actually do this as the first step. Caramelizing sugar result is a tasty, brownish syrup which is used to coat the meat and be the basis of the gravy when mixed with the meat drippings. You can also buy prepared caramelized sugar marketed as Classic Caramel Color to darken your gravies or gumbo. The Coca-Cola use in this recipe has the similar effect and result—creating a rich, sweet-savory gravy from a simple chuck roast or eye of round.

Ingredients

8 servings
  • 2-3 pounds beef roast (chuck roast or eye of round)
  • salt to taste
  • black pepper and cayenne to taste or your favorite Cajun Seasoning
  • 2-4 tbsp flour
  • 4 tbsp oil or fat
  • 1 can Coca Cola (12 oz)
  • sliced onions (optional)

Step-by-Step Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 325°F.
  2. Season the roast generously with salt and pepper or your favorite Cajun seasoning. Coat the roast with flour on all sides, patting to help it adhere.
  3. In a medium roaster or Dutch oven, heat the fat/oil over medium-high heat. Brown the roast on all sides until a deep golden crust forms, about 3-4 minutes per side. When browned, drain the fat off.
  4. Pour the Coca Cola over the roast and cover the roaster. Place in the preheated 325°F oven. Cook for approximately 2 1/2 to 3 hours depending on desired tenderness.
  5. If using onions, add sliced onions to the roaster in the last 30 minutes of cooking. If the liquid reduces too much and you need extra for gravy, add water as needed to reach desired gravy thickness.
  6. Remove from oven and let stand 15 minutes before carving. The Coca-Cola will have caramelized into a rich, sweet-savory gravy.

Common Problems and Solutions

Q: Why is my gravy too thin?

A: If the Coca-Cola reduces too much during cooking, the gravy may be thin. Add water or beef broth in small amounts during the last hour of cooking to maintain enough liquid for gravy. You can also remove the roast and simmer the liquid on the stovetop to reduce and thicken.

Q: Can I use a different cola or soda?

A: Yes, other colas work fine. Dr Pepper or root beer create interesting flavor variations. Avoid diet sodas as they lack the sugar needed for the caramelization effect.

Tips and Techniques

For even deeper flavor, add the sliced onions at the beginning of the cooking process instead of the last 30 minutes—they’ll caramelize beautifully in the Coca-Cola. You can also deglaze the pan with a bit of the cola before adding the rest to pick up all those browned bits.

Ingredient Substitutions

  • Coca-Cola: Dr Pepper, root beer, or other cola
  • chuck roast: eye of round roast or bottom round
  • vegetable oil: bacon grease or beef tallow

Equipment Needed

  • Dutch oven or covered roasting pan
  • meat thermometer (optional but helpful)

Historical Context

Caramelizing sugar for gravies is a classic Cajun technique similar to making a sugar roux, where sugar is cooked until dark and syrupy before adding to meat dishes. This recipe modernizes that traditional method with an ingredient that became widely available in the mid-20th century.