Old South Coca-Cola Pork Loin: A Tender, Southern-Style Classic

Old-fashioned Southern cooking is known for its comforting flavors, slow-cooked tenderness, and nostalgic ingredients that make a meal feel like home. One of the most iconic—and surprisingly simple—Southern dishes is Old South Coca-Cola Pork Loin, a recipe that has been passed down for generations across family tables, church potlucks, and Sunday dinners.

What makes this recipe special is its unexpected secret ingredient: Coca-Cola. The acidity in the soda helps tenderize the pork while the caramel notes combine with brown sugar, ketchup, and spices to create a beautifully rich, sticky glaze that coats every slice. The result is a pork loin that’s incredibly juicy, fork-tender, and packed with sweet-savory flavor that feels distinctly Southern.

This recipe works beautifully in the slow cooker, oven, or Dutch oven — and because it uses pantry staples, it’s affordable and easy enough for weeknights but impressive enough for holidays or entertaining.

Why You’ll Love This Southern Pork Loin

1. Ultra Tender & Juicy

Coca-Cola naturally tenderizes meat, leaving it succulent and sliceable.

2. Rich, Glossy Glaze

As the sauce cooks down, it becomes a sweet-savory glaze that clings to the pork.

3. Dump-and-Go Friendly

Perfect for busy days — especially in the slow cooker.

4. Southern Comfort Flavor

This tastes like something straight out of a classic church cookbook — nostalgic and satisfying.

5. Great for Meal Prep

Leftovers reheat beautifully and stay moist.

Ingredients

Pork

• 3–4 lb boneless pork loin
• 1 tbsp olive oil (if searing)
• Salt and black pepper

Coca-Cola Glaze

• 1 can (12 oz) Coca-Cola (not diet)
• ½ cup brown sugar
• ½ cup ketchup
• 2 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
• 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar
• 1 small onion, finely diced
• 3 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 tsp paprika
• ½ tsp onion powder
• ½ tsp garlic powder

Instructions

Slow Cooker Method (Most Popular)

1. Season the Pork
   Pat pork loin dry; season all sides with salt and black pepper.
2. Optional Sear
   Sear pork in olive oil over medium-high heat until browned. (This adds flavor but is optional.)
3. Mix the Sauce
   In a bowl, whisk Coca-Cola, brown sugar, ketchup, Worcestershire, vinegar, onion, garlic, and spices.
4. Add Everything to the Slow Cooker
   Place pork loin in slow cooker and pour sauce over top.
5. Cook Low and Slow
   Cook on LOW 6–7 hours or HIGH 3–4 hours until tender.
6. Make the Glaze
   Remove pork and simmer cooking liquid in a saucepan for 10–12 minutes until thick and glossy.
7. Slice & Glaze
   Slice pork into medallions and spoon glaze over before serving.

Old South Coca-Cola Pork Loin

Tender Southern-style pork loin slow cooked in a rich Coca-Cola glaze with brown sugar, ketchup, garlic, and spices. Juicy, nostalgic, and full of classic Old South flavor.

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Prep Time 10 minutes mins

Cook Time 6 hours hrs

Total Time 6 hours hrs 10 minutes mins

Servings: 8 servings

Course: Main Dish

Cuisine: American, Southern

Calories: 360

Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients

  

Pork

• 3-4 lb boneless pork loin
• 1 tbsp olive oil optional for searing
• salt and pepper to taste

Coca-Cola Glaze

• 12 oz Coca-Cola not diet
• 0.5 cup brown sugar
• 0.5 cup ketchup
• 2 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
• 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar
• 1 onion finely diced
• 3 cloves garlic minced
• 1 tsp paprika
• 0.5 tsp onion powder
• 0.5 tsp garlic powder

Equipment

• Slow cooker
• Skillet
• Mixing bowl

Method

 

1. Season pork loin with salt and pepper; optional sear in olive oil.
2. Whisk Coca-Cola, brown sugar, ketchup, Worcestershire, vinegar, onion, garlic, and spices.
3. Place pork in slow cooker and pour sauce over.
4. Cook on LOW 6–7 hours or HIGH 3–4 hours.
5. Simmer cooking juices on stovetop until thickened into a glaze.
6. Slice pork and spoon glaze over top before serving.

Notes

Use regular Coke for best caramelization. Reduce sauce until thick and glossy for the classic Old South finish.

Oven Method

1. Preheat oven to 325°F (165°C).
2. Place seasoned pork loin in a roasting dish; pour sauce mixture over top.
3. Cover with foil and bake 1½–2 hours.
4. Thicken sauce on stovetop, then glaze sliced pork before serving.

Tips for the Best Coca-Cola Pork Loin

Use Regular Coke

Diet sodas don’t caramelize or tenderize properly.

Don’t Overcook

Pork loin dries out if overcooked — slow cooker LOW is ideal.

Simmer the Sauce

Reducing the sauce is what turns it into a sticky, glossy glaze.

Add Spice

A pinch of cayenne or chili flakes adds warmth.

Swap to Pork Tenderloin

Reduce cooking time significantly (2–3 hours LOW in slow cooker).

Flavor Variations

• BBQ Style: Add ½ cup BBQ sauce.
• Spicy Coca-Cola Pork: Add 1–2 tbsp hot sauce.
• Garlic Lover’s: Double the garlic.
• Peach Cola Version: Use peach Coca-Cola if available.

Serving Suggestions

Serve this with classic Southern sides like:

• Mashed potatoes
• Brown sugar baked carrots
• Green beans
• Mac and cheese
• Buttermilk biscuits
• Fried cabbage
• Cornbread

Storage & Reheating

• Refrigerator: Up to 4 days
• Freezer: Up to 3 months
• Reheat: Warm gently with extra glaze or a splash of broth