Savory Recipes Made with Soda

 

We've all been there: you open a bottle of soda, enjoy a refreshing sip, but life gets busy and it ends up languishing in the fridge, flat and forgotten. But before you send it down the drain, hold on! That "dead" soda holds hidden potential, and it's not just for baking cakes. Let's ditch the waste and get creative with some surprising savory uses for your leftover soda.

Beyond the Sweet:

Gone are the days of relegating soda to sugary treats. Its acidity, subtle sweetness, and unique carbonation can actually add incredible depth and complexity to savory dishes. Here are just a few ideas to get you started:

• Glaze your meats: Flat cola makes a fantastic glaze for ribs, chicken wings, or pork chops. The sugars caramelize beautifully, creating a sticky, sweet-and-tangy coating that intensifies flavor.
• Deglaze your pan: Stuck-on bits on your pan are no match for the power of leftover soda. Use it to deglaze after sautéing or searing, creating a flavorful pan sauce that captures all those delicious caramelized bits.
• Marinate your tofu or tempeh: The acidity in soda makes it a surprisingly effective marinade for plant-based proteins. Try ginger ale for a slightly sweet and spicy kick, or club soda for a clean, refreshing flavor.
• Braise your veggies: Don't underestimate the power of flat soda in braising! It adds a touch of sweetness and acidity that balances out the richness of root vegetables, like carrots or onions, creating a complex and satisfying dish.
• Boost your soup: Give your next pot of soup a flavor boost with a splash of leftover soda. Club soda adds a subtle effervescence, while ginger ale or root beer can lend unique depth and spice.

The "Fizz"-tastic Factor:

Remember, even flat soda still retains some carbonation, which can play a fun role in your cooking. Here are some ways to leverage its bubbly potential:

• Make fluffy pancakes: Leftover soda, especially seltzer or club soda, can be used instead of milk or water in your pancake batter. The carbonation creates lighter, fluffier pancakes with a delightful texture.
• Whip up airy fritters: The same principle applies to fritters! Use flat soda in your batter for crispy, light, and airy fritters that everyone will love.
• Create a fun fizzy garnish: Don't just drink the remaining soda, use it as a playful garnish! Drizzle a small amount of flat soda over savory dishes like salads, tacos, or even grilled cheese for a surprising burst of flavor and texture.

Get Creative and Explore:

These are just a few starting points. Don't be afraid to experiment and discover your own unique uses for leftover soda! Remember, cooking is all about having fun and exploring new flavors. So next time you find yourself with a can of flat soda, don't despair, get creative, and turn it into a delicious and unexpected culinary adventure!

Here are some of my favorite recipes that use leftover soda. Click thru the links to view the full recipe.

Dr. Pepper Slow Cooker Ribs by The Magical Slow Cooker

Coca Cola Pork Carnita by 24 Byte

Cola Marinated Steak by Slow the Cook Down

Crock Pot Coke Meatballs by Crayons and Cravings

Dr. Pepper Baked Beans by Sugar and Soul

Dr. Pepper Pork Loin by Kitchen Laughter

Instant Pot Pork Rio Sweet Pork by Eating in an Instant

Brown Sugar and Coke Glazed Ham by When is Dinner

Crock Pot Dr. Pepper Ribs by Two Pink Peonies

Root Beer Smoked Ribs by Crave the Good

Find more great soda recipes here:

Homemade Strawberry Peach Soda

Strawberry Soda Syrup

Homemade Soda Recipes

Nilla Wafer Bark

 

Make this no bake Nilla Wafer Bark the next time you crave a sweet that is soft, crunchy and delicious! It is made with common pantry staples to make a fast candy that everyone is sure to love.

This recipe is so easy you might want to get the kids in the kitchen to help you prepare this for a dessert to enjoy at home, or a treat to share with friends.

I love to make homemade bark. My husband Adam loves candy, so these kind of recipes are always a hit at home. This one is no exception; it is easy to whip up when you realize a sweet is needed, and no matter what you have on hand, I know you are going to come up with something totally tasty.

1 cup of white chocolate chips

1 cup of sprinkle white chocolate chips

1 cup of vanilla wafers

1 ½ c large marshmallows (or about 12)

½ tsp crisco or coconut oil

Directions:

1. Line a baking dish with parchment paper.
2. Add vanilla wafers to the baking dish.
3. Add marshmallows to the dish.
4. Melt white chocolate chips, sprinkle chocolate chips and crisco together over a double boiler, or in the microwave. Stir often. When the chocolate chips can be stirred smooth, remove from heat.
5. Pour the melted white chocolate over the contents of the baking dish.
6. If needed, stir everything around to completely cover with melted white chocolate.
7. Stick in the refrigerator for about 45 minutes, or until the white chocolate has hardened.
8. Cut into chunks and enjoy.
9. Store leftovers in an airtight container.

Keep this easy recipe on hand for those times that the pantry is bare, or maybe you just crave candy but don't have the time to dash to the store. This also makes a great homemade gift to share at the holidays with a candy lover in your life.

If you are looking for more homemade bark recipes you won't want to miss these favorites.

Easy Rudolph Bark

Melted Snowman Bark

Grape Nuts Bark

Nuts About Cookies Bark

Fruity Pebbles Bark

Strawberry Ghosts

Trying to eat a little healthier this fall? You are in luck! With this simple recipe you can make a serving of candy coated fruit to satisfy your cravings.

I am always trying to make fruits and veggies more appealing to my kids. This recipe is a sure way to get kids excited about strawberries, while giving them a little of the candy they desire.

Supplies:

Strawberries

White candy melts

Candy eyes

Parchment or wax paper

Directions:

Wash the berries and dry them on a paper towel.

It is very important that you remove all the exterior moisture before you dip into the chocolate.

If there is still water/moisture on the berries when you dip into the chocolate; it will clump up fast.

When the berries are dry melt the white chocolate/almond bark according to the directions on the packaging.

Dip the berries into the melted chocolate, working fast.

Place the berries on the wax paper.

Before the chocolate has a chance to harden, drop 2 candy eyes on each berry.

When all of the berries have eyes, you can place them in the fridge to help the chocolate harden.

You can enjoy these within 15 minutes or so.

These are perfect for sharing at a Halloween party! What a sweet little spooky ghost!

I bet you can't eat just one!

These are delicious, easy to make, and while they do have a candy coating, they are so much healthier than some of the options Halloween is best known for!

Make a batch and stop by to share a little BOO! with a friend or neighbor!

Or maybe just eat them all by yourself! 

 You can find all of my Halloween ideas here

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Sheet Pan Lemon Garlic Shrimp

 This 6 ingredient dinner is PERFECT for busy nights this fall. It is so easy and delicious. The whole family will love this one, and it couldn't be anymore fuss free!

Now that school is back in session and we are getting geared up for the fall soccer season, I am all about sheet pan dinners. I love to toss everything in the oven and have less mess to clean up later, and I love that this dinner is fun to eat. Or am I the only one that loves biting shrimp from their tails?

This is such a fuss free meal. With just a few seasonings and some tasty butter, you are in business!

This meal only takes about 25 minutes from start to finish; so you can get a delicious dinner on the table even on the busiest of nights.

Ingredients:

1 pound of frozen shrimp

1/2 pound of baby red potatoes, halved

1 pound of asparagus

1/4 cup of butter, melted

1/2 a Lemon 

2 teaspoons of garlic, minced

Salt and Pepper to taste

Directions:

After cutting the ends off of the asparagus and halving the potatoes, place them on a sheet pan.

Add shrimp.

Add garlic and lemon, salt and pepper to the melted butter and stir.

Drizzle the butter over everything!

Bake at 375 degrees for 25 minutes.

You might like to give everything a little stir at the halfway mark so that the veggies don't stick to the pan.

Enjoy!

You can find other tasty recipes here

3 Ingredient Foolproof Biscuits

Snickerdoodle Cake

Chocolate Cherry Floats

Cake Mix Peanut Butter Chocolate Cookies

This is the easiest cookie recipe yet. It is perfect for those times you crave a chocolate peanut butter treat, but maybe don't have all of the ingredients for a totally homemade recipe. This recipe only needs 4 ingredients.

I used a triple chocolate fudge cake mix, but you can use whatever chocolate flavor you prefer! 

1 box of chocolate cake mix

1 cup of peanut butter

1 egg

¼ c water

¼ c granulated sugar for rolling

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.

Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or spray lightly cooking spray. 

Combine the cake mix, peanut butter, water and egg in a mixing bowl.

Use a hand or stand mixer to combine.

Blend for 3 minutes.

Form small balls of dough and roll them in the sugar.

Place the cookie balls 3” apart on a prepared baking sheet.

With a fork, press into the balls of dough to flatten them.

Bake for 12-15 minutes or until the edges look lightly crackled.

Allow to cool for 5 minutes before removing from the cookie sheet.

Makes 2 dozen cookies.

This is the recipe I pull out when I have not been shopping and find myself out of an ingredient I might need for cookies, or when I just simply don't want to fuss with too many ingredients.

These have a great texture and a lot of great peanut butter flavor! You are sure to love them.

Have you ever made cake mix cookies? So easy and tasty!

You can find more recipes here:

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6 Ways to Ensure Salad Satisfaction

 

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We all know that salads are good for us and they can be pretty delicious, but sometimes they are just not as satisfying as we would like, and they leave us feeling like something was missing from the meal.

It doesn’t have to be like that! There are lots of things you can do to spice up your salad and ensure that it makes for a satisfying eating experience as you will see below…

1. Make it meaty

If your salad is not special enough, then adding succulent chunks of meat is often enough to ensure that it is more satisfying than before. This barbecue chicken salad recipe is a good example of using meat to make a salad special because not only does it contain tender chicken, but also sweet and satisfying BBQ sauce and tortilla strips which transform it from a side to a delicious meal in its own right.

2. Add an avocado

If you do not eat meat or you are simply looking for a veggie option, slicing an avocado and dressing with a little lemon or lime juice, salt, and chili flakes, will elevate even the most basic salad to a spicy, satisfying meal with a slightly Mexican twist.

3. Season your greens

So many of us rely on our salad dressings to do all of the heavy lifting when it comes to flavorful salads, but there is something else you can do - season your greens. Salt them add pepper and herbs, squeeze a little lemon juice onto them and ensure they are packed with flavor before you even think about adding a dressing and you will find that the dish is much richer for it.

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4. Add nuts

Nuts are a great addition, along with seeds, to any salad. They add a satisfying crunch as well as creaminess that is not often found in salads. They are also a source of healthy fats and proteins, so they should help to fill you up better. Smoked nuts, BBQ nuts, and chili nuts, rather than plain ones, will add some extra depth of flavor to your salad bowl too.

5. Add an egg

If in doubt, poach an egg and perching it atop your salad. The yolk, when you break it will run down onto the salad making it much richer than it was prior, and you will get an extra hit of protein to keep you satiated for longer too. Just make sure to season your egg liberally with salt and cracked black pepper!

6. Leafy greens are not the only option

Most of us turn to leafy greens like lettuce, spinach, and kale when we are whipping up a salad for lunch, but they are not the only options. Some more satisfying additions include celeriac, squash, broccoli slaw, and even kimchi. Try mixing it up by trying out new combinations to see what makes you feel the most satisfied.

Salad can be truly special if you take the time to make it so!

3 Ingredient Fool Proof Biscuits

There is nothing like fresh biscuits! We love them with almost any meal, and both of my kids love to come home from a long day at school to find a basket of fresh biscuits to hold them over until dinner. This recipe is so easy that you can have a small batch of fresh biscuits ready and on the table in about 15 minutes, with only 3 ingredients!

I love to bake something fresh everyday. I do it for a bunch of reasons; out of love, boredom and necessity. Anytime I can whip up something fresh instead of turning to processed food, count me in. This biscuit recipe is so good and easy. It is truly foolproof. You can't mess this recipe up, even if you try! This is a recipe an inexperienced baker can enjoy, but even the most seasoned biscuit baker will appreciate the simplicity of this recipe!

Ingredients:

2 cups of self rising flour + a little extra for dusting

a pinch of salt

1 1/2 cups of heavy cream

Directions:

Combine all ingredients in a medium sized mixing bowl.

When the ingredients are combined, pull the dough out of the bowl and knead it by hand for about 2 minutes. You do not want to overwork this dough! That is the secret to fluffy, flaky biscuits.

Roll the dough out to about 1/2 an inch thickness.

Using a mason jar lid or biscuit cutter, cut the dough into circles and place them on a baking sheet.

Bake at 400 degrees for 8 to 10 minutes.

If you like, brush the tops with melted butter when they come out of the oven.

Serve warm, with butter and jam.

You can store any leftovers in an airtight container and pop them in the microwave for about 15 seconds to reheat.

This biscuit recipe is really good for being so fuss free. It pairs perfectly with my copycat Cracker Barrel Chicken and Dumplings. It would also be fantastic with carrot soup.

Find all of my favorite recipes here. I would be grateful if you would share this post to your social media accounts!
 

Brown Sugar Overnight Oats

Breakfast has never been easier or tastier than it is with this simple Brown Sugar Overnight Oats recipe.

Some of the best things in life are simple; this recipe embraces that and plays on the goodness of pantry staples. I love that you can literally toss this together in under a moment for a no frills, but tons of flavor start to the day.

This post contains affiliate links.

Ingredients
1 cup of old fashioned oats
1 cup of 1% milk
1/8 teaspoon of vanilla
1 tablespoon of brown sugar

Instructions
Combine all ingredients in a food storage container. Allow to sit in the fridge for at least 3 hours. Overnight is ideal.
Serve cold, or heated in the morning for a nutritious and delicious breakfast.

This recipe will last for 3 days covered in the fridge.

I love this cold and often opt for it over dessert. It is that good! I consider it my happy food these days. If you have a favorite overnight oat recipe I hope you will leave a comment and share it with me.

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Awesome Soft Pretzel Recipes

If you like soft pretzels you will want to check out these awesome pretzel recipes! These are so easy to make and are all as yummy as the next!

Little known fact, once upon a time I spent a summer rolling pretzels at a flea market. It was a long time ago but I still think about how lucky I was to eat nothing short of 100 pretzels that summer! I loved them plain, with and without salt. I loved them with dips, garlic butter and in bun form for a one of a kind sandwich!

I have been in the mood to make pretzels for a while now, so I started rounding up some recipes I knew I wanted to try with the kids. I wonder if I can still twist them up like a pro?

Easy Soft Pretzel Bites by High Heels and Grills
Vegan Homemade Pretzels by Nerdy Mama
Semi Homemade Pretzel Bites by Juggling Act Mama
Cheddar Garlic Pretzels by Layers of Happiness
Garlic and Cheddar Soft Pretzels by Palatable Pastimes
Garlic Parmesan Pretzel Bites by Somewhat Simple
Pumpkin Spice Pretzel Bites by Little Dairy on the Prairie
Soft Pretzel Footballs by Hungry Happenings

You can find all of my recipes here

My family has been loving this creamy carrot soup recipe

School Bus Snack

This easy school bus snack is the perfect way to welcome a new school year!

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Back to school is an exciting time for both kids and parents! This year my youngest is excited to begin her first year at preschool! My oldest, he says he must be most excited about lunch or the bus, he can't decide. I appreciate his honesty.

To take their excitement to a new level, we made a delicious and easy school bus snack to the delight of the kids!

This is so easy you guys! The kids can build these and they will love munching on them too!

Ingredients:

1 to 2 teaspoons of yellow frosting, any kind will do!

2 Nilla Wafers

1 Graham Cracker

4 Rice Chex pieces

Instructions:

Spread the frosting on the graham cracker

Add the Nilla Wafers as the wheels for the bus

Add the Chex cereal pieces as the windows

Enjoy!

This was a fun way to get the kids involved in making their own snacks and we might have played with our food just a little!

Do you have a fun back to school snack idea to share? I would love to hear about it in a comment!

You might also like this fun handprint fish puppet craft.