Sticky Cola Glazed Vegan Ribs (Plant-Based BBQ Recipe) | Juicy Marbles

Name: Sticky Cola Glazed Vegan Ribs
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 35 min
Yield: 6-8
Ingredients: 5 tbsp soy sauce; 5 tbsp ketchup; 1 tsp garlic powder; 1 tsp ground ginger; ¾ cup / 150 ml cola-flavored soda; 1/2 tsp salt; 1/4 tsp cracked black pepper; 1/4 tsp allspice; 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar; 1 tsp cornstarch; 1 tbsp water; 300g red cabbage (shredded); 300g white cabbage (shredded); 170g carrots (grated); ⅓ cup / 80 ml olive oil; ⅓ cup / 80 ml lemon juice; 2 tsp salt; 1 tsp cracked black pepper; ½ cup chives (thinly sliced); 3-4 Juicy Marbles Baby Ribs; 2 tbsp olive oil; Salt and pepper to taste

Sticky Cola Glazed Vegan Ribs

WITH RAINBOW SLAW

Some of you might think we’re koo koo for slathering our beautiful, wholesome, hand crafted plant-based ribs with fizzy, brown, caffeine-packed liquid—street name: cola. And truth be told, we are.

But hear us out. The sweet caramel aroma—with undertones of vanilla, clove and citrus—pairs perfectly with smoke-kissed, umami packed vegan ribs. And the sweet and sticky glaze turns even stickier once hit by the fire you spent 30 minutes building and blowing into life…only to be told by your estranged father that you did it all wrong.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Maximum Flavor, Minimal Fuss - Whip up the glaze, toss the slaw, and grill the vegan ribs. Minimal prep for maximum pleasure.
Sticky In All The Right Ways - Thick and glossy glaze lovingly coats the vegan ribs and turns perfectly sticky and caramelized when kissed by the heat of the fire.
Cola, But Make It High-Cuisine - Humble Cola that we all know and love takes the role of a main character, adding depth and pizzazz to this simple, quick, and versatile glaze.

Key Ingredients for Sticky Coca-Cola Glazed Vegan Ribs

Juicy Marbles Baby Ribs are grilled to perfection and brushed with a sweet, tangy, and aromatic glaze that turns finger-lickingly sticky and pairs perfectly with a refreshing, crunchy slaw.
Cola-flavored soda adds sweetness, tang, and a hint of spice and vanilla.
Allspice, Ginger, and Cracked Black Pepper complement the aromatic, caramelly sweetness of soda, while adding complexity and warmth to the sticky glaze.
White and Purple Cabbage and Carrots add body, vibrant color, and crunch to the slaw, making it a perfect fresh companion to the sticky vegan ribs.

Equipment You’ll Need

Chopping board
Sharp knife
Measuring spoons and cups
Kitchen scale
Mandoline for slicing the cabbage (optional, can be done with a sharp knife)
Box grater for grating carrots
Citrus juicer for juicing lemons
A large mixing bowl for mixing the slaw
A small saucepan for cooking the glaze
A pastry brush for brushing the ribs with glaze
Tongs for handling vegan ribs
A grill or a large non-stick pan for cooking the vegan ribs

How To Prepare Sticky Cola Glazed Vegan Ribs

1. Make the Cola Glaze

Combine all the glaze ingredients except cornstarch and water in a saucepan. Bring to a simmer and cook for 5 minutes to reduce slightly. Mix a cornstarch slurry and add it to the saucepan. Mix well and cook for another 5 minutes, until nicely thickened.

2. Prepare the Rainbow Slaw

Combine all the slaw ingredients in a large bowl, mix well, and adjust the seasoning, if necessary. For the freshest, crunchiest result, season the slaw right before serving.

3. Grill the Sticky Vegan Ribs

Chop Juicy Marbles Baby Ribs rack into individual ribs, making sure that each piece has a bone. Season the ribs with salt and pepper, and brush them with oil.

Place the vegan ribs on a grill, brush with the sticky cola glaze, and cook for 7-9 minutes, until nicely charred and caramelized on all sides. Remove from the grill and serve immediately.

Tips & Tricks

Crunch It Up. Sprinkle Rainbow slaw with toasted sesame seeds, pumpkin seeds, or slivered almonds.

Make It Spicy. If you are looking for a spicy kick, add hot sauce, chili powder, chili flakes, or cayenne pepper to the Coca-Cola glaze.

Be On Top Of Your Game. Prepare all the ingredients ahead of time. Cook the glaze, slice the vegan ribs, and mix unseasoned vegetables for the slaw. Once you are ready to serve, grill and glaze the vegan ribs and season the slaw.
Built The Flavor. The Rainbow Slaw is a great base for building flavor. Season it with soy sauce, sesame oil, and toasted sesame seeds for an asian twist, or sliced chili, lime, and fresh coriander for a Mexican-style slaw.

FAQ

Can I prepare this recipe gluten-free?

Yes! Swap the soy sauce for tamari, making sure that the other ingredients are also gluten-free.

*NOTE: Juicy Marbles meats are not gluten-free certified, but we do not include gluten in any of our recipes.

Can I still prepare the vegan glazed ribs if I don’t have the grill?

Of course! Slice and season the vegan ribs. Place them in a non-stick pan with olive oil and cook for 5-7 minutes, turning halfway through to brown on all sides. Once browned, brush with glaze on all sides and continue cooking for another 2-3 minutes, until nicely caramelized.

What else can I pair these plant-based ribs with?

Pair these punchy vegan ribs with roasted potatoes, leafy green salad, soft fluffy bread rolls, spring potato salad, and all the sauces your heart desires.

Can I prepare this dish ahead of time?

Yes. You can cook the Cola glaze, slice the plant-based ribs, and prepare the ingredients for the slaw. Once you are ready to eat, grill and glaze the vegan ribs, and season the slaw.

Can I use the glaze for other proteins?

Of course. Use the cola-glaze on tofu, tempeh, or Meaty Meat! It’s a universal umami booster.

How can I store the leftovers?

Store the leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Eat fresh for the best eating experience.

Sticky Cola Glazed Vegan Ribs

Rated 5.0 stars by 1 users

Ingredients

Cola Glaze

5 tbsp soy sauce
5 tbsp ketchup
1 tsp garlic powder
1 tsp ground ginger
¾ cup / 150 ml cola-flavored soda
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 tsp cracked black pepper
1/4 tsp allspice
1 tbsp apple cider vinegar
1 tsp cornstarch
1 tbsp water

Rainbow Slaw

300g red cabbage (shredded)
300g white cabbage (shredded)
170g carrots (grated)
⅓ cup / 80 ml olive oil
⅓ cup / 80 ml lemon juice
2 tsp salt
1 tsp cracked black pepper
½ cup chives (thinly sliced)

Grilled Glazed Vegan Ribs

3-4 Juicy Marbles Baby Ribs
2 tbsp olive oil
Salt and pepper to taste

Directions

Cola Glaze

Combine soy sauce, ketchup, garlic powder, ground ginger, cola-flavored soda, salt, cracked black pepper, allspice, and apple cider vinegar to make the glaze. Whisk together.

Bring the mixture to a simmer and cook for 5 minutes to reduce slightly..

In the meantime, combine cornstarch and water to make a slurry.

Add the slurry to the saucepan, mixing constantly to prevent lumps. Cook for another 5 minutes, until nicely thickened.

Transfer the glaze to an airtight container and store in the fridge until ready to use. The glaze will thicken once it’s cooled, so feel free to add some water to achieve runnier texture.

Rainbow Slaw

To make the rainbow slaw, combine shredded red and white cabbage and grated carrots. Mix well.

Season with olive oil, lemon juice, salt, and cracked black pepper.

Sprinkle with thinly sliced chives and serve.

Grilled Glazed Vegan Ribs

Slice the Juicy Marbles Baby Ribs rack into individual ribs (so that each piece of vegan meat has a bone).

Season the vegan ribs with salt and pepper on all sides and brush them with olive oil.

Place the individual ribs on a hot grill. Brush them with the cola glaze and cook for 7-9 minutes, turning them around halfway through and brushing the other side with glaze.

Remove the ribs from the grill once you are happy with the char and caramelisation.

Brush with more glaze and serve immediately.