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Home » Recipes » Beef

Coca Cola Glazed Pork Loin

Published: Mar 13, 2024 · Updated: Apr 15, 2024 by Marye

Spicy and sweet roast, Coca-Cola glazed pork loin is a great substitute for ham. This vintage recipe has been a southern favorite for generations.
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Overhead view of the pork loin being served.
Overhead view of cooked pork loin with text overlay for Pinterest.

This perfect recipe is easy enough for first-timers—and after everyone happily devours it, you might even feel like a kitchen master!

Overhead view of the finished, glazed pork loin.
Table of Contents
  • 🗝️ Key takeaways
  • 🧾 Ingredients
  • 📖 Variations
  • 🔪 Instructions
  • 🥫 How to store leftovers
  • Marye's Tip:
  • 💭 Things to know
  • 👩‍🍳 FAQs
  • 📚 Related recipes
  • 🍽️ Serve with...
  • 📞 The last word
  • 📖 Recipe
  • 💬 Comments

🗝️ Key takeaways

  • Old-fashioned pork roast comes out fork-tender and super juicy. No one can resist the sweet, spicy glaze on top.
  • This is a family favorite for Sunday dinner. Be careful—after getting a whiff, the entire neighborhood will want some!
  • Don't bother with messy marinating liquids or prep days in advance. This easy dinner recipe gets its flavor from a quick dry rub and glaze.

Coca-Cola glazed pork loin is fabulously flavorful. Don't be afraid to try other types of fizzy drinks (because I call everything 'Coke' and I've never said soda in my life) like Dr Pepper or root beer.

🧾 Ingredients

This is an overview of the ingredients. You'll find the full measurements and instructions in the green recipe card (printable) at the bottom of the page.

Labeled ingredients for the coca cola pork loin.

📖 Variations

  • Feel free to use bone-in pork loins or tenderloin or make Coca-Cola pork chops. However, the cook time will vary depending on the size.
  • Adjust the seasonings to taste to make the pork spicier (or milder). The chipotles in adobe and the chili powder will add some heat.
  • Any kind of dark cola will work except for diet soda. You can even use leftover, flat soda—the carbonation doesn't matter much. Bonus points if you find the good Coca-Cola with real cane sugar in it!
  • If you're out of balsamic vinegar and don't want to run to the store, opt for red wine vinegar instead.

🔪 Instructions

This is an overview of the instructions. Full instructions are in the green recipe card at the bottom of the page. Click on the image to see it full sized.

Dry rub ingredients being mixed together.

Combine the dry rub ingredients in a large bowl.

Glaze ingredients being mixed together.

Mix the glaze ingredients

Dry rub being patted onto the pork loin.

Pat the dry rub generously on all sides of the pork.

Pork loin being seared in a pan.

Sear the pork in hot olive oil until it has a crisp crust all around.

Pork loin with a shiny Coca Cola glaze.

Finish cooking in the oven, and spoon glaze/Coca-Cola sauce on top.

🥫 How to store leftovers

Keep leftover Coca-Cola glazed pork loin in the fridge for three to four days. It makes great leftover pork sandwiches—we even like it cold!

You can reheat pork on the stovetop over low heat, in the air fryer at 350 degrees F, or simply in the microwave. If using that last option, add a splash of broth or a little cold water to prevent the pork from tasting dry.

Frozen leftover pork will keep for three to four months. Just be sure to seal it tightly in a plastic bag with a zip-type seal to prevent freezer burn.

The best way to thaw frozen pork is in the fridge. Pull it out of the freezer and place it in the refrigerator for a day or two, then heat as you wish.

Slices of pork loin served on a white plate.

Marye's Tip:

Don't cut into pork straight out of the oven. It needs to rest to allow the internal temperature to rise and the juices to disperse.

💭 Things to know

  • I like to use one (clean) hand to sprinkle the spice rub onto the pork loin and then my other hand to press it on. This way, I'm not contaminating the extra dry rub with bacteria, so I can save it for another time.
  • After adding the dry spice rub, you can let the pork loin sit at room temperature. In fact, this helps it cook better.
  • Always check for doneness with a roast meat thermometer in the thicket part of the pork, generally near the center.
  • Keep the meat juicy by letting it rest under a loose foil tent.
  • For extra tender sliced pork, cut against the grain of the meat. In other words, cut across the muscle fibers, not in line with them.

👩‍🍳 FAQs

Is there a difference between pork loin and tenderloin?

Yep! Tenderloin is lean, long, and thin, while loin is loaf-shaped (more like a traditional beef roast you might remember mom cooking.) Pork loin results in a much juicer roast because it has more fat.

How long will it take the pork to cook?

That depends! Estimate 15 minutes per pound, but check the temperature a few minutes before time elapses.

For example, two pounds of pork loin roast should take around 30 minutes, but I'll check at 27 to make sure it doesn't overcook.

Do I have to marinate Coca-Cola glazed pork loin?

Nope! Marinade ingredients are wet and take longer to flavor the meat. We use a dry rub made of ground spices.

Can I use pork shoulder instead of a loin cut?

I don't recommend it in this recipe. Pork shoulder is best in the slow cooker, so it can get tender. On the flip side, loin needs quick, hot cooking to maintain its juiciness.

Finished pork loin on a cutting board.

📚 Related recipes

  • Fried Pork Chops and Gravy is a classic, homestyle meal that'll take you back to your childhood. It's lip-smacking, tummy-rubbing good!
  • Juicy and packed with savory flavor, this Bottom Round Roast feeds the whole family and tastes like an old-fashioned Sunday dinner.
  • For a hearty, flavorful, complete meal that cooks in the crockpot, try Braised Pork and Red Cabbage.
  • Closeup of pizza cups filled with ground beef, pepperoni, olives, pizza sauce, and cheese.
    Easy Pizza Cups
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    Crock Pot Honey Garlic Pork Chops
  • Closeup of sliced ham on a plate.
    Southern Coca-Cola Glazed Ham
  • Creamy slow cooked pork tenderloin shredded and served over rice.
    Creamy Slow Cooked Pork Tenderloin

🍽️ Serve with...

With a classic Southern dish like Coca-Cola glazed pork loin, you don't need anything fancy to make a perfect meal.

Overhead view of the asparagus tart.

This cheesy puff pastry asparagus tart is so easy and it's a great starter.


Overhead view of a bowl of garlic mashed potatoes for feature image.

Serve it with delicious Red Skin Mashed Potatoes and bacon-smothered Green Beans for a hearty, savory dinner everyone will crave.


Overhead view of a bowl of butterbeans with bacon.

I have to admit that I prefer creamy, soothing butter beans as a side.


Close up of cake for featured image.

Of course, you'll never have a better excuse to make Double Chocolate Fudge Coca-Cola Cake. We love a themed dinner. Yum!

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Overhead view of the pork loin sliced on a cutting board with a knife next to it.

📞 The last word

If this doesn't make you hop up and holler "y'all!" nothing will. It's so tender and SO good.

If you click on the number of servings in the recipe card you can adjust the measurements up or down for the exact number of servings you need.

If you love this recipe please comment below and give it 5 stars!

📖 Recipe

Overhead view of the pork loin being served.

Spicy Southern Coca Cola Glazed Pork Loin

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Spicy and sweet roast, Coca-Cola glazed pork loin is a great substitute for ham. This vintage recipe has been a southern favorite for generations.
Course Main Dish
Cuisine American - Southern
Prep Time: 30 minutes minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes minutes
Servings:8 servings
Calories:228
Author:Marye Audet-White

Ingredients

Meat

  • 2 pounds pork loin

Spicy Rub

  • 2 tbs Kosher salt
  • 2 tbs brown sugar
  • 1 teaspoon ground ginger
  • ½ teaspoon ground cloves
  • 1 tablespoon chile powder
  • 1 teaspoon pepper

Glaze

  • 12 ounces Coke
  • 2 tablespoons honey
  • ¼ cup brown sugar
  • 1 tablespoons chipotle in adobo sauce, more to taste
  • 2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
  • 1 teaspoon cinnamon
  • Pinch of salt and pepper

Instructions

Meat

  • Preheat oven to 425F.
  • Rub the pork on all sides with the rub, pressing it into the meat.
  • Allow it to stand for 20 minutes.
  • Heat some olive oil in a heavy pan and saute the meat on all sides until the rub has made a golden brown crust.
  • Remove from heat and brush with glaze.
  • Bake 15 minutes per pound or until done (140F), glazing 2 or 3 more times.
  • Let stand for 10 minutes before slicing and serving. The meat will continue to cook to a safe temperature of 145F during the resting period.

Glaze

  • Stir ingredients together in a heavy saucepan.
  • Simmer until reduced and syrupy, about 10 to 15 minutes.

Spicy Rub

  • Mix together well. Store in a tightly covered container.

Notes

Storage:
Let leftover Coca-Cola glazed pork loin come to room temperature.
Cover with plastic wrap and put in the fridge for three to four days. It makes great leftover pork sandwiches—we even like it cold! See reheating instructions in the post above.
Freezes well. Frozen leftover pork will keep for three to four months. 
Tips:
    • Be sure to let the pork rest for 5 to 10 minutes after removing it from the oven.
    • After adding the dry spice rub, you can let the pork loin sit at room temperature for a bit. In fact, this helps it cook better.
    • Always check for doneness with a roast meat thermometer in the thicket part of the pork, generally near the center. Cook it to 145F and let sit for at least 5 minutes before carving for the juiciest results.
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Nutrition Facts

Serving: 0g | Calories: 228kcal | Carbohydrates: 20g | Protein: 26g | Fat: 5g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 2g | Cholesterol: 71mg | Sodium: 1843mg | Potassium: 477mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 18g | Vitamin A: 320IU | Vitamin C: 0.2mg | Calcium: 25mg | Iron: 1mg

Nutrition information is estimated as a courtesy. If using for medical purposes, please verify information using your own nutritional calculator. Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

This recipe has been tested several times. If you choose to use other ingredients, or change the technique in some way, the results may not be the same.

First published October 4, 2023. Last updated March 13, 2024 for editorial updates.

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Meet Marye Audet, a wizard in the kitchen and a storyteller at heart. Marye is like your eccentric but fun aunt who knows all the secret recipes and isn't afraid to spill them.

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Marye Audet-White, founder of Restless Chipotle Media

Hey Y'all, I'm Marye

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NY Times bestselling author. 10 cookbooks. Mom of 8 kids. Homeschooling mom for 22 years. Addicted to Hallmark Christmas Movies. Collector of old cookbooks.

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