Skip Soy Sauce And Vinegar: Marinate Steak In This Soda For A More Tender Cut

When you're perusing the list of chef-approved tips for cooking the juiciest steak, marinating in soda doesn't appear on the page ... but maybe it should. Marinating steaks in classic sodas is an underrated play for increasing not just flavor in your beef but also tenderness. Because cola is often acidic, it helps break down tough muscle fibers. Many sodas make exceptional marinades, but we really like Dr Pepper for the job. Why? Well, its complex flavor not only works a treat on your beef but also marries well with other common marinade ingredients.

We've seen several recipes for Dr Pepper-marinated steak, and many have a few things in common. Keep in mind that a successful marinade will have several ubiquitous elements: oil, acid, sweetener, and potent flavorings. Dr Pepper covers you right off the bat with the acidity, sweetness, and flavorings. Smart home cooks will get some salt and oil in there to round out the profile and promote gorgeous browning.

Olive oil is a fave for grilling because it appears in many kitchens. You can put straight salt in your marinade, but we enjoy kicking things up with some generous glugs of Worcestershire sauce to add umami to your marinade bag. Dijon mustard is another player that will nicely counteract the sweetness of the cola. Once you pull your marinade together, go ahead and soak your steaks, but don't leave them in there for longer than a few hours. As one social media cook learned when he soaked steaks in Fanta for 24 hours, animal proteins eventually start to break down in soft drinks and compromise the texture.

You may prefer drinking Diet Dr Pepper, but beware of subbing diet cola for regular in marinades. This likely has something to do with natural sugars producing a nicer result when grilled, as opposed to artificial sweeteners. However, we wouldn't think that cold soda versus room temperature would make a difference, nor would it matter if your drink had gone flat. In fact, this could be a great way to use up the remaining soda that you perhaps bought for a get-together and didn't finish in time.

The goal of utilizing Dr Pepper in your marinade is tenderness, so, towards that end, you should also utilize your best steak practices for the most delightful texture on your meat. Therefore, let your steaks rest at room temp for at least half an hour before cooking. This will allow the heat from your grill or pan to penetrate the cut more evenly. You should also season your meat well. Marinating steaks will give some flavor, but it's no substitute for a generous rub of at least salt and pepper. 

Lastly, make sure that your cooking surface is nice and hot. This will ensure that the sugars in your Dr Pepper caramelize. Of course, not overcooking your steak is a must! Once you've grilled or pan-fried your tender steaks, don't let your Dr Pepper marinade go to waste. Pour your remaining liquid into a pot and let it cook at a rolling boil for at least five minutes to kill any pathogens. Then, you can use it as a basting sauce.