Marinate Steak In This Soda For A Tender Cut That Tastes Like Barbecue

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When we covered classic sodas that make excellent marinades for steak, Wild Cherry Pepsi was something of a wildcard option. Staid "brown" colas like Dr Pepper, Coke, and root beer are minor variations on a flavor theme, but the fruitiness of the cherry soda stands out. When it comes to marinating steaks for bigger flavor, however, that's a great thing. For our money, Wild Cherry Pepsi gives beef something special because its tart-sweet cherry taste mimics the similar profile of tomato products in BBQ sauce, making it super appealing when used with steaks.

Never soaked your steak in a soft drink before? You might find that the idea has a lot to recommend it. Regular soda — you don't want diet varieties for this use — has a few potent qualities that work delightfully on steak, namely sugar, carbonation, and acidity. The effervescence and acid work to break down stringy muscle fibers in your beef and promote scrumptious tenderness, while the sugars help your steak caramelize gorgeously on the heat (that's why sugar-free diet versions don't quite work).

In the case of Wild Cherry Pepsi, the bonus addition of natural cherry flavor enhances the beef just a little extra. Fruit juices definitely have a place in high-quality steak marinades, and that goes for the fruity flavors in cola as well. With a few well-chosen extra ingredients, you might find that same cherry soda you love to sip is an ideal soak for the steaks you're about to make for dinner. Just a few hours of marinating will do the trick, though too long in the liquid, and your beef could get mushy.

If you'd normally include an ingredient in a traditional marinade, you can augment your Wild Cherry Pepsi with it to great effect in your steak soak. Ingredients like soy sauce or Worcestershire can add umami and salt to your mix, though don't forget hoisin sauce, sometimes called Chinese BBQ sauce, if you want to elevate your meat. Seasonings can also really dress up your dunk. Salt and pepper should be assumed, of course, but we'd include garlic powder as a "gotta have it" ingredient for any great marinade.

While we're keeping things fruity to promote that BBQ-like savor, why not add some extra juice to your Wild Cherry Pepsi marinade? Prune juice sounds offbeat, but its natural syrupy sweetness can really complement cherry flavors. On that same note, remember that grenadine isn't cherry-flavored (it's traditionally made with pomegranate), but a splash of this cocktail mixer will greatly enhance your steak. For sweetness with flavorful punch, brown sugar or molasses can really round out your marinade ... maybe even pomegranate molasses like this Prime-eligible no-sugar-added product by Zest Delites?

Keep in mind that, after you've cultivated exquisite flavor in your steaks with a Wild Cherry Pepsi marinade, there's no reason to let all that great taste swirl down the drain! A flavorful liquid can do double duty as a baste for your steaks even after marinating as long as you sanitize them with a few minutes of a rolling boil on the stovetop. After that, brush your syrupy glaze on your steaks for a potent punch of BBQ-like cherry flavor!