Saucy Soda Roast

This recipe is based on the amazing Pepsi Pork Roast by Mysterygirl (Pepsi Pork Roast). I make it often because it's a family fave but I have changed the recipe over the years, so when people ask me for the recipe and I give them the original, they complain that it's not the same as mine. So I am making this recipe to hand out in the future. You can use any cut of roast with this; we like pork the best but beef, venison and elk are great too. The carbonation in the soda will make the meat very tender and moist. You can use any dark cola - we've made it with everything from Diet, to Dr. Pepper, to cheap store brand soda. I know it sounds weird, but don't be afraid - you won't taste the sweetness of the soda when it's done. You can make this in the crock pot (see the original recipe for instructions) but I do it in the oven. This freezes well and makes a great base for stews. I like to place carrots, celery and potatoes around the roast in the last 45 minutes of cooking.

• Ready In: 3 hrs 10 mins
• Serves: 10-12

Ingredients

• 6  lbs  pork shoulder butt
• 18  ounces  dark  cola (use more or less depending on how much gravy you like)
• 2 (10 3/4ounce) cans  cream of mushroom soup
• 1 (1 1/4ounce) package  onion soup mix
• 3  tablespoons  brown gravy mix (1 packet)
• 1  large  white onion, sliced
• 3  garlic cloves, minced (more or less, as desired)
• 1  tablespoon Kitchen Bouquet, browning & seasoning sauce (or equivalent)
• 1⁄2 teaspoon black pepper (to taste)

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
2. Place roast in deep roasting pan or dutch oven.
3. In a large bowl, mix canned soup, dry soup, gravy mix, Kitchen Bouquet and garlic. Pour over roast.
4. Cover the roast and gravy mix with onion slices.
5. Pour the soda over the whole thing. Sprinkle with black pepper. (Unlike other roast recipes, I don't add salt to this one because there is a lot of salt in the ingredients.).
6. Cover and bake for approximately 3 hours or to desired tenderness. Meat is done when it falls apart with a fork.
7. Add root vegetables in the last 45 minutes of cooking, if desired.
8. Remove meat and veggies from gravy. If you prefer a thicker gravy, you may thicken it with a little cornstarch and water.