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You only need one skillet, 4 ingredients, and about 20 minutes for these glazed Coca Cola pork chops! The family-friendly, easy dinner recipe is perfect for busy weeknights.
Table of Contents
If you’re looking for even more easy pork chop recipes, be sure to try these 4-ingredient apricot glazed pork chops, pan fried pork chops, and baked bbq pork chops, too!
These pan fried boneless pork chops with a sweet-and-savory Coca Cola glaze are simple, downhome, comfort food! Pair the tender, juicy meat with a side of cast iron cornbread, a simple green salad, mashed potatoes, biscuits, or a pot of collard greens. It’s a simple, flavorful meal that the whole family will love — and it’s made with just a few ingredients that you can easily find in your local supermarket!
What do Cola Glazed Pork Chops Taste Like?
Coca cola pork chops taste like succulent and juicy glazed bbq pork chops — with a flavorful punch! You’ll love the taste of the sweet and zesty sauce, paired with the tender meat. It’s sweet, tangy, and savory.
Does Coke tenderize pork?
Especially in the South, folks love to add Coca Cola to just about anything — from savory pot roasts to chicken and chocolate cakes! Here, the Coke serves two primary purposes: it tenderizes the meat, and it adds flavor to the dish. Other carbonated sodas will also do the trick, so pick your favorite. Diet Coke, another brand of cola drink, Pepsi, root beer, and Dr. Pepper all work fine!
Ingredients
This is just a quick overview of the ingredients that you’ll need for the easy pan-fried pork chops with Coca-Cola glaze. As always, specific measurements and step-by-step cooking instructions are included in the printable recipe box at the bottom of the post.
- Pork chops: I use boneless pork chops that are about ½-inch thick, but you can use thick-cut or bone-in pork chops as well. You’ll just need to increase the total cooking time to account for the larger chops.
- Vegetable oil: to pan-fry the pork in a cast iron skillet.
- Coca-Cola soda: flavors the glaze and tenderizes the meat.
- Barbecue sauce: I use store-bought bbq sauce for ease, but you can substitute with your favorite homemade bbq sauce if you prefer.
- Kosher salt and ground black pepper: enhance the other flavors in the dish.
How to Make Coca Cola Pork Chops
It doesn’t get much easier than a 20-minute dinner made in a single cast iron skillet! I’ve included the detailed directions in the recipe card below, but here’s the quick version:
- Pat the pork chops dry and season with salt and pepper.
- Brown chops in hot oil in a skillet.
- Whisk together the Coke and barbecue sauce.
- Pour the glaze over the pork chops, and simmer until the meat is cooked through and the sauce thickens.
How Long to Pan Fry Pork Chops
The total cooking time will vary depending on the size and thickness of your pork chops, on the temperature of the meat when you put it in the skillet, and on the temperature of your oil. As a result, a meat thermometer is always the best way to know when your pork chops are perfectly cooked. You’re looking for an internal temperature of 140°F – 145°F, which will still look slightly pink in the center.
For these thinner boneless pork chops, I find that browning them for 4-5 minutes per side and then cooking them in the glaze for an additional 10 minutes, yields perfectly tender and juicy meat. Be careful not to overcook the pork or it can become tough and dry.
Serving Suggestions
Here are some easy sides that pair well with coca-cola pork chops:
- Hush Puppies
- Coleslaw or Vinegar Coleslaw
- Hoe Cakes
- Baked Potato Wedges, Baked Potatoes, Skin On Mashed Red Potatoes, 3-Ingredient Buttermilk Mashed Potatoes, or Mashed Sweet Potatoes
- Cast Iron Cornbread, Southern Cornbread, Pumpkin Cornbread, Cake Mix Cornbread, Skillet Cornbread, Sweet Cornbread, Jiffy Cornbread with Creamed Corn, Corn Sticks, Honey Cornbread, Broccoli Cornbread, or Cornbread Muffins
- Creamy Baked Mac and Cheese, Duke’s Homemade Mac and Cheese, Crock Pot Mac and Cheese, Stovetop Shells and Cheese, or No-Boil Easy Mac and Cheese
- 3-Ingredient Buttermilk Biscuits, Southern Buttermilk Biscuits, Flaky Biscuits, Aunt Bee’s 3-Ingredient Buttermilk Biscuits, Sweet Potato Biscuits, Cheese Biscuits, Easy Drop Biscuits, or Cheddar Biscuits with Chives and Bacon
- Pumpkin Bread or Pumpkin Muffins
- 3-Ingredient Sour Cream Muffins
- Wedge Salad with Buttermilk Ranch Dressing, Green Salad with Red Wine Vinaigrette, House Salad with Candied Pecans, Mixed Greens with Dijon Vinaigrette, or Classic Caesar Salad
- Easy Potato Salad
- Arkansas Green Beans with Bacon or Southern-Style Green Beans
- Broccoli Cauliflower Salad
- Fried Apples or Baked Apple Slices
- Southern Succotash
- Southern Collard Greens or Sweet and Spicy Collard Greens with Bacon
- Fried Okra
- Broccoli and Cheese
- Easy Pasta Salad
- Homemade Baked Beans with Bacon
- Charleston Red Rice
- Okra and Tomatoes
- Southern Squash Casserole
- Cheese Grits or Pimento Cheese Grits Casserole
- Fried Cabbage with Apples and Onion, Braised Red Cabbage, or Roasted Cabbage
Storage Tips
Leftovers will keep in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-4 days. You can also freeze cooked pork chops in an airtight container for up to 3 months.
Recipe Variations
- If you prefer a thicker sauce (rather than a thinner glaze), use less Coca Cola. For instance, try just ½ cup of soda with 1 cup of bbq sauce. You can also simmer and reduce the glaze longer. Just remove the pork chops to a plate and tent with foil so that they don’t get overdone.
- For even more zesty flavor, season the pork chops with a bbq dry rub before pan-frying them. You can use our favorite dry rub recipe, or just pick up a store-bought seasoning blend.
- Season the meat with your favorite herbs and spices. Other good options include cayenne pepper, garlic powder, kosher salt, all-purpose house seasoning, or rosemary, thyme, parsley, oregano, and chives.
- Thick-cut boneless or bone-in pork chops will also work in this recipe. You’ll just need to increase the total cooking time slightly.
Tips for the Best Coca Cola Pork Chop Recipe
- Pat the chops dry with a paper towel before seasoning and frying. This helps them brown nicely.
- Start with a fairly thick barbecue sauce, since you will thin it with Coke to make the glaze. I use Sweet Baby Ray’s bbq sauce here.
- Depending on the size of your skillet and how many pork chops you’re preparing, you may need to fry the chops in batches so that you don’t overcrowd the pan.
- The total cooking time will vary depending on the size and thickness of your pork chops. Use a meat thermometer to know exactly when your meat is done. You’re looking for an internal temperature of 140°F – 145°F.
- If your pork chops are done before the sauce has thickened to your liking, just remove the pork chops to a plate and tent with foil. You can continue simmering and reducing the sauce as long as you like.
- Garnish with fresh parsley, sliced green onions, or other fresh herbs for a bright, fresh finishing touch.
More Pork Chop Recipes to Try
Stuffed Pork Chops
45 minutes mins
Pan Fried Pork Chops
30 minutes mins
Oven Fried Breaded Pork Chops
30 minutes mins
Coca Cola Pork Chops
Ingredients
- 4 (½-inch thick) boneless pork chops (about 1 ½ lbs. total)
- Kosher salt and ground black pepper, to taste
- 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
- 1 cup Coca-Cola soda
- 1 cup store-bought or homemade barbecue sauce
- Optional garnish: chopped fresh herbs, such as parsley or chives, or sliced green onions
Instructions
- Pat the pork chops dry. Season on both sides with salt and pepper to taste.
- In a large skillet, heat the oil over medium heat. When the oil shimmers, add chops to the skillet and cook until browned on both sides, about 4-5 minutes per side. They will continue cooking in the sauce, so the meat does not need to be totally cooked through at this point.
- In a small bowl or in a large measuring cup, whisk together Coca-Cola and barbecue sauce.
- Pour over the chops, turning to coat the pork in the sauce. Bring the sauce to a simmer, and then reduce the heat to low. Cook until the glaze thickens slightly and the pork registers 140°F – 145°F on an instant read thermometer, about 10 minutes. If the pork is done before the sauce is finished simmering, simply remove the chops to a plate and tent with foil. Continue to simmer and reduce the glaze as desired.
- Spoon glaze over pork chops and serve. Garnish with chopped fresh herbs or sliced green onions, if desired.
Notes
-
- Pat the chops dry with a paper towel before seasoning and frying. This helps them brown nicely.
-
- Start with a fairly thick barbecue sauce, since you will thin it with Coke to make the glaze. I use Sweet Baby Ray’s bbq sauce here.
-
- Depending on the size of your skillet and how many pork chops you’re preparing, you may need to fry the chops in batches so that you don’t overcrowd the pan.
-
- The total cooking time will vary depending on the size and thickness of your pork chops. Use a meat thermometer to know exactly when your pork chops are perfectly cooked. You’re looking for an internal temperature of 140°F – 145°F.
- If you prefer a thicker sauce (rather than a thinner glaze), use less Coca Cola. For instance, try just ½ cup of soda with 1 cup of bbq sauce.
-
- Season the meat with your favorite herbs and spices. Other good options include cayenne pepper, garlic powder, kosher salt, all-purpose house seasoning, or rosemary, thyme, parsley, oregano, and chives.
- For even more zesty flavor, season the pork chops with a bbq dry rub before pan-frying them. You can use our favorite dry rub recipe, or just pick your favorite store-bought seasoning blend.
We liked the sauce. Think we’ll try the pressure cooker next time as the pork chops were very tough. Thanks for the recipe.
We’re sorry to hear they turned out tough for you, Toni. This is most commonly caused from the pork being overcooked. We’ve found that searing thinner pieces on each side can help prevent this. We’re always happy to answer any questions and help troubleshoot to help you achieve the results you’re looking for!
Yummy! Easy to make and sauce is great. Suggest you brine pork chops as well as let them rest a little but to keep them moist.
Thank you, Donna!