Southern Kitchen – Coca-Cola Glazed Meatloaf

Even though Coca-Cola is known world wide, I’ll always consider it a Southern brand.  I’m a little biased since they figured out how to bottle the well guarded recipe in Vicksburg, MS and its headquarters is in Atlanta,GA.  Also there is that little thing we Southerners do, referring to all carbonated beverages as “Coke”.  Ice cold Coca-Cola was designed to be refreshing during the hot sticky days of summer.  In honor of this Southern heat wave, we’re going to try cooking with Coca-Cola.

The first thing you need to know is that Coca-Cola has a twin that lives in Mexico, it’s hard to spot, but usually comes in the glass bottles and labeled “Product of Mexico”. Honestly if you’ve never had the chance to try Mexican Coke it’s a treat, still the same Coca-Cola you know and love, but instead of Corn Syrup they use Sugar.  It’s worth the effort to seek it out, and I often see it by the case full in Costco.  With our Coke in hand, let’s get on with the cooking.

There are lots of ways to cook with Coca-Cola, we’ve smoked brisket with it,  used it as a brine for our pork, and as a decent replacement for molasses in some of our BBQ sauce recipes. My favorite part of a great meatloaf, is the crispy crust that forms on top.  So to my usual recipe, I’m going to add a large helping of Coca-Cola, to build a tangy sweet crust, that will make our Southern Meatloaf that much better.  We’re going to make a sweet Coca-Cola reduction, instead of gravy or straight Ketchup, and glaze our meatloaf to sweet southern perfection.  Check out our recipe. It may not look pretty, but it sure does taste good.

Southern Meatloaf with Coca-Cola Glaze

Meat Loaf

• 1 lb ground turkey
• 1 lb ground beef  80/20
• 2 cups whole wheat bread crumbs
• 1/2 large white onion finely chopped
• 1 yellow bell pepper finely chopped
• 1 clove garlic finely minced
• 1 tbs balsamic vinegar
• 1 tbs worcestershire sauce
• 1 1/2 tbs salt
• 1 tbs ground black pepper
• 1 tbs cajun seasoning
• 2 large eggs beaten
• 1 tbs butter unsalted

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  In a food processor add enough fresh whole wheat bread to make 2 cups of crumbs.  Then in a hot pan saute,in butter, the yellow bell pepper and onion till translucent.  In a large bowl combine all ingredients and with your hands work it together.  Only work the meat and ingredients until it is well blended, but be gentle and don’t turn the meat into paste.  Move the meat to a lightly greased cookie sheet and hand mold the meat into a loaf.  Cover the meat in a heavy coat of the Coca-Cola Glaze and cook in the oven until the middle of the meat reads 160 degrees on a thermometer.  When the meat reaches the correct temperature, remove from oven and cover with foil (it will carry over to 170 as it rests). If you want more of a crust, add more glaze and place under the broiler till crust is formed, being careful not to burn.  Slice, Serve, Enjoy!

Coca-Cola Glaze

• 10 ounces Coca-Cola
• 1 tbs spicy mustard
• 1/2 cup ketchup
• 1 clove garlic minced

On medium-high, use a sauce pan and reduce the Coca-cola, after 10 – 15 min of reducing add the ketchup, mustard and garlic.  Lower the temp to a simmer and allow to continue for an additional 15 min.  The flavors will become rich and sweet, and the texture will be almost syrup like.  Remove warm and cover meat loaf.