Top 6 Ways to Use up Flat Cola

Written by
Peggy Trowbridge Filippone
Peggy Trowbridge Filippone is a writer who develops approachable recipes for home cooks. Her recipes range from Grandma’s favorites to the latest food trends.
Learn about The Spruce Eats' Editorial Process
Peggy Trowbridge Filippone
Updated 04/18/20

Do you end up tossing out half cans or bottles of flat cola? Save it to cook with. Believe it or not, flat cola has many applications in the kitchen. Use it in recipes for savory roasts to decadent desserts without imparting any cola flavor. Experiment using diet colas, but keep in mind that long cooking times at high temperatures can turn diet colas bitter. The cola should be at room temperature when you begin cooking. Other sodas or seltzer may be substituted in many of the recipes.

  • 01 of 06

    Make a Cake

    chocolate icing on a chocolate cake
    Martin Poole / Getty Images

    This easy sheet cake is wonderfully decadent and rich. The cola enhances the flavor of the chocolate without adding cola flavor. Loaded with chocolate chips, you can use your favorite chocolate frosting or sprinkle liberally with powdered sugar.

  • 02 of 06

    Make a Baked Brisket

    Beef Brisket
    John Madden / Getty Images

    Cola not only tenderizes this brisket, but it also makes a fabulous gravy. Requires no marination, but plan on up to three hours of cooking time to cook the brisket.

  • 03 of 06

    Make a Ham

    Slow Cooker Cola Ham

    The Spruce

    Southern ham cooked in cola must be tried to be believed. Bone-in ham is first boiled in cola with an onion, then baked in a glaze of mustard, molasses, and cloves.

  • 04 of 06

    Make a Barbecued Pork Sandwich

    Pulled Pork And Cole Slaw
    Robert Simon / Getty Images

    Start with boneless center cut pork loin or pork shoulder and marinate for a day in a mixture of cola, Worcestershire, vinegar, and garlic. Then slow-roast about 3 hours with a cola and Jack Daniels sauce for utterly delicious pulled pork sandwiches. Try this with different sodas, such as root beer and cherry or use brisket instead of pork.

    Continue to 5 of 6 below.
  • 05 of 06

    Make a 7-bone Roast

    Potroast dinner with potoatoes and carrots.
    tim buckner / Getty Images

    7-bone roasts are one of the few remaining beef values these days, economical and flavorful. You won't taste cola, but the gravy is to die for! Oven-baked pot roast and vegetables are enhanced by a rich gravy. Can also be made in a slow cooker.

  • 06 of 06

    Make Spareribs in the Crock Pot

    Slow cooker barbecued pork spareribs

    The Spruce

    Start these ribs in the crock pot and finish with a cola barbecue sauce on the grill or under the oven broiler. Plan at least a day ahead for pre-cooking in the crockpot, refrigeration overnight, and then finishing on the grill or under the broiler.