Subway’s PepsiCo Partnership: Beyond the Soda – Delicious Recipes Inspired by the Collaboration
The iconic partnership between Subway and PepsiCo is well-known. You walk into a Subway, you expect to see Pepsi products readily available. But what if we could take the flavors and ingredients from both Subway and PepsiCo brands and create something entirely new and delicious? This article explores the Subway-PepsiCo collaboration beyond just the beverage options, diving into recipes inspired by this dynamic duo. We’ll leverage the flavors of Subway’s ingredients and the diverse range of PepsiCo snacks and drinks to craft exciting and innovative culinary creations.
## Understanding the Flavor Profiles
Before we jump into the recipes, let’s break down the key flavor profiles we’ll be working with:
**From Subway:**
* **Fresh Vegetables:** Lettuce, tomatoes, cucumbers, onions, green peppers, spinach, olives, pickles, and jalapenos. These provide freshness, crunch, and varying levels of acidity and spice.
* **Proteins:** A wide array of meats like turkey, ham, roast beef, chicken, and steak, plus vegetarian options like veggie patties. Each protein offers a unique savory element.
* **Cheeses:** American, provolone, Monterey cheddar, and pepper jack contribute creaminess, sharpness, and richness.
* **Sauces and Dressings:** Ranch, mayonnaise, mustard (yellow, honey mustard), vinaigrette, sweet onion sauce, chipotle southwest sauce, and more. These add moisture, tanginess, sweetness, and spice.
* **Bread:** A variety of bread options, from Italian to wheat, offering different textures and subtle flavor notes.
* **Spices and Seasonings:** Salt, pepper, oregano, garlic powder, and other seasonings used to enhance the overall flavor.
**From PepsiCo:**
* **Pepsi Beverages:** Pepsi, Diet Pepsi, Mountain Dew, Sierra Mist (or Starry), Gatorade, and various flavored waters. These provide sweetness, carbonation, citrus notes, and electrolytes.
* **Lay’s Potato Chips:** Classic, BBQ, Sour Cream & Onion, Salt & Vinegar, and many other flavors. These add saltiness, crunch, and specific flavor profiles depending on the variety.
* **Doritos:** Nacho Cheese, Cool Ranch, Spicy Nacho, and other bold flavors. These contribute intense cheesy, savory, and spicy notes.
* **Cheetos:** Crunchy and Puffed varieties offering cheesy and savory flavors.
* **Tostitos:** Restaurant Style, Scoops, and other tortilla chip options, providing a corn flavor and a sturdy base for dips and toppings.
* **Quaker Oats:** Oats, granola, and other grain-based products, offering texture and nutty flavors.
* **Other Snacks:** Rold Gold pretzels, SunChips, and other snack options, providing saltiness, crunch, and unique flavor profiles.
## Recipe Ideas: Blending Subway and PepsiCo Flavors
Now, let’s get creative with some recipes that incorporate elements from both Subway and PepsiCo. Remember to adjust ingredient quantities to your personal preferences.
### 1. Doritos Crusted Chicken Sub Sandwich
This recipe takes the classic Subway chicken sub and elevates it with a crunchy, flavorful Doritos crust.
**Ingredients:**
* Subway-style Italian bread
* Chicken breast, cooked and sliced
* Doritos (Nacho Cheese or Cool Ranch), crushed
* Egg, beaten
* Flour
* Lettuce
* Tomato
* Onion
* Your favorite Subway sauce (e.g., Ranch, Chipotle Southwest)
* Salt and pepper to taste
**Instructions:**
1. **Prepare the Chicken:** Season the sliced chicken breast with salt and pepper.
2. **Create the Crust:** Set up a breading station with flour, beaten egg, and crushed Doritos in separate shallow dishes.
3. **Bread the Chicken:** Dredge each chicken slice in flour, then dip in the beaten egg, and finally coat thoroughly with crushed Doritos, pressing to adhere.
4. **Cook the Chicken (Optional):** For a warmer sandwich, pan-fry the Doritos-crusted chicken in a little oil over medium heat until golden brown and heated through. Alternatively, you can use pre-cooked chicken or even air fry the breaded chicken for a healthier option.
5. **Assemble the Sandwich:** Slice the Italian bread and layer with lettuce, tomato, and onion.
6. **Add the Chicken:** Place the Doritos-crusted chicken slices on top of the vegetables.
7. **Sauce it Up:** Drizzle your favorite Subway sauce over the chicken.
8. **Enjoy:** Close the sandwich and enjoy the crunchy, cheesy, and savory flavors.
**PepsiCo Pairing:** Mountain Dew Baja Blast complements the cheesy and savory flavors of the Doritos-crusted chicken.
### 2. Lay’s Potato Chip Tuna Salad Sandwich
This recipe adds a surprising crunch and flavor boost to traditional tuna salad using Lay’s potato chips.
**Ingredients:**
* Subway-style Wheat bread
* Canned tuna in water, drained
* Mayonnaise
* Celery, finely chopped
* Onion, finely chopped
* Lay’s Potato Chips (Classic or Salt & Vinegar), crushed
* Lettuce
* Salt and pepper to taste
**Instructions:**
1. **Prepare the Tuna Salad:** In a bowl, combine the drained tuna, mayonnaise, celery, and onion.
2. **Add the Crunch:** Gently fold in the crushed Lay’s potato chips into the tuna salad mixture.
3. **Season:** Season with salt and pepper to taste.
4. **Assemble the Sandwich:** Spread the tuna salad mixture onto slices of Subway-style wheat bread.
5. **Add Lettuce:** Top with lettuce for added freshness.
6. **Close and Enjoy:** Close the sandwich and enjoy the creamy, crunchy, and flavorful tuna salad.
**PepsiCo Pairing:** Sierra Mist (or Starry) provides a refreshing citrus contrast to the rich tuna salad.
### 3. Cheetos Mac & Cheese Bites
These bite-sized snacks are a fun and cheesy way to combine the flavors of Cheetos and macaroni and cheese, inspired by Subway’s side options.
**Ingredients:**
* Cooked macaroni
* Cheddar cheese, shredded
* Milk
* Butter
* Flour
* Cheetos (Crunchy), crushed
* Egg, beaten
* Breadcrumbs
* Salt and pepper to taste
**Instructions:**
1. **Make the Mac & Cheese:** In a saucepan, melt butter over medium heat. Whisk in flour and cook for 1 minute. Gradually whisk in milk until smooth. Bring to a simmer, then reduce heat and stir in cheddar cheese until melted and smooth. Season with salt and pepper.
2. **Combine Macaroni and Cheese:** Stir the cooked macaroni into the cheese sauce until well coated.
3. **Cool the Mixture:** Spread the mac and cheese mixture onto a baking sheet and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to firm up.
4. **Shape the Bites:** Use a spoon or small cookie scoop to form the chilled mac and cheese into small balls or bites.
5. **Create the Crust:** Set up a breading station with beaten egg, breadcrumbs, and crushed Cheetos in separate shallow dishes.
6. **Bread the Bites:** Dip each mac and cheese bite in the beaten egg, then coat with breadcrumbs, and finally coat with crushed Cheetos, pressing to adhere.
7. **Bake or Fry:** Bake the Cheetos mac and cheese bites in a preheated oven at 375°F (190°C) for 15-20 minutes, or until golden brown. Alternatively, you can deep-fry the bites until golden brown.
8. **Serve and Enjoy:** Serve the Cheetos mac and cheese bites warm and enjoy the cheesy, crunchy goodness.
**PepsiCo Pairing:** Pepsi complements the cheesy and savory flavors of the Cheetos mac and cheese bites.
### 4. Spicy Doritos Chicken Wrap (Subway-Style)
Recreate a spicy chicken wrap with a Doritos twist, mimicking the portable nature of a Subway wrap.
**Ingredients:**
* Large tortilla wrap
* Chicken breast, cooked and shredded
* Spicy Doritos (Spicy Nacho or Flamin’ Hot), crushed
* Lettuce
* Tomato
* Onion
* Jalapenos (optional)
* Chipotle Southwest Sauce or Ranch dressing
**Instructions:**
1. **Prepare the Chicken:** Cook and shred the chicken breast. You can season it with chili powder, cumin, and garlic powder for extra flavor.
2. **Assemble the Wrap:** Lay the tortilla wrap flat and layer with lettuce, tomato, onion, and jalapenos (if using).
3. **Add the Chicken:** Place the shredded chicken on top of the vegetables.
4. **Crunch Factor:** Sprinkle the crushed Spicy Doritos over the chicken.
5. **Sauce it Up:** Drizzle Chipotle Southwest Sauce or Ranch dressing over the Doritos.
6. **Wrap it Up:** Carefully fold in the sides of the tortilla and roll it up tightly.
7. **Enjoy:** Enjoy the spicy, crunchy, and flavorful Doritos chicken wrap.
**PepsiCo Pairing:** Gatorade (Lemon-Lime or Fruit Punch) provides a refreshing and hydrating counterpoint to the spicy flavors.
### 5. Tostitos Scoops Taco Salad (Subway-Inspired)
This recipe transforms the classic taco salad into a fun and interactive dish using Tostitos Scoops, taking inspiration from Subway’s salad bowl options.
**Ingredients:**
* Tostitos Scoops tortilla chips
* Ground beef, cooked and seasoned with taco seasoning
* Shredded lettuce
* Diced tomatoes
* Shredded cheddar cheese
* Diced onions
* Sour cream
* Salsa
* Black olives, sliced
* Jalapenos, diced (optional)
**Instructions:**
1. **Prepare the Ground Beef:** Cook the ground beef and season with your favorite taco seasoning.
2. **Arrange the Scoops:** Arrange the Tostitos Scoops on a platter or individual plates.
3. **Fill the Scoops:** Fill each Tostitos Scoop with layers of ground beef, shredded lettuce, diced tomatoes, shredded cheddar cheese, diced onions, sour cream, salsa, black olives, and jalapenos (if using).
4. **Serve and Enjoy:** Serve immediately and let everyone enjoy the customizable taco salad bites.
**PepsiCo Pairing:** Pepsi or Diet Pepsi complements the savory and spicy flavors of the taco salad.
### 6. Quaker Granola Yogurt Parfait (Subway Breakfast Alternative)
Subway now serves breakfast; this recipe brings a health-conscious element by incorporating Quaker granola into a yogurt parfait, creating a balanced and nutritious breakfast option.
**Ingredients:**
* Yogurt (Greek or regular)
* Quaker Granola (any flavor)
* Fresh berries (strawberries, blueberries, raspberries)
* Honey or maple syrup (optional)
**Instructions:**
1. **Layer the Parfait:** In a glass or parfait cup, layer yogurt, granola, and fresh berries.
2. **Repeat Layers:** Repeat the layers until the glass is full.
3. **Sweeten (Optional):** Drizzle with honey or maple syrup for added sweetness, if desired.
4. **Serve and Enjoy:** Serve immediately or chill for later. This parfait is a healthy and delicious way to start your day.
**PepsiCo Pairing:** Tropicana orange juice (though technically a PepsiCo product indirectly, via its association with PepsiCo distribution) provides a refreshing and vitamin-rich accompaniment.
### 7. Pepsi-Marinated Chicken Skewers
This recipe uses Pepsi as a marinade for chicken skewers, adding a unique sweetness and flavor.
**Ingredients:**
* Chicken breast, cut into 1-inch cubes
* Pepsi
* Soy sauce
* Garlic, minced
* Ginger, minced
* Green onions, chopped
* Skewers
**Instructions:**
1. **Prepare the Marinade:** In a bowl, combine Pepsi, soy sauce, minced garlic, and minced ginger. Mix well.
2. **Marinate the Chicken:** Add the chicken cubes to the marinade and let it marinate for at least 30 minutes, or up to a few hours in the refrigerator.
3. **Assemble the Skewers:** Thread the marinated chicken cubes onto skewers.
4. **Grill or Bake:** Grill the chicken skewers over medium heat or bake them in a preheated oven at 375°F (190°C) for 15-20 minutes, or until cooked through.
5. **Garnish and Serve:** Garnish with chopped green onions and serve the Pepsi-marinated chicken skewers.
**PepsiCo Pairing:** Pepsi (obviously!) complements the sweet and savory flavors of the chicken skewers.
### 8. Rold Gold Pretzel Crusted Turkey Breast (Subway Carving Board Inspiration)
Taking inspiration from Subway’s carved turkey breast sandwiches, this recipe creates a crunchy pretzel crust for added texture and saltiness.
**Ingredients:**
* Turkey breast
* Rold Gold pretzels, crushed
* Egg, beaten
* Flour
* Dried herbs (thyme, rosemary, sage)
* Salt and pepper to taste
**Instructions:**
1. **Prepare the Turkey:** Season the turkey breast with salt, pepper, and dried herbs.
2. **Create the Crust:** Set up a breading station with flour, beaten egg, and crushed Rold Gold pretzels in separate shallow dishes.
3. **Bread the Turkey:** Dredge the turkey breast in flour, then dip in the beaten egg, and finally coat thoroughly with crushed pretzels, pressing to adhere.
4. **Bake the Turkey:** Bake the pretzel-crusted turkey breast in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) for approximately 20 minutes per pound, or until a meat thermometer inserted into the thickest part registers 165°F (74°C).
5. **Rest and Slice:** Let the turkey breast rest for 10 minutes before slicing.
6. **Serve and Enjoy:** Serve the Rold Gold pretzel-crusted turkey breast as a main course or use it in sandwiches, mimicking a Subway carving board sandwich.
**PepsiCo Pairing:** Diet Pepsi provides a lighter, less sweet contrast to the rich and salty turkey.
### 9. SunChips Crusted Veggie Patty Sub
For a vegetarian option inspired by the Subway-PepsiCo partnership, this recipe uses crushed SunChips to create a flavorful crust for a veggie patty, perfect for a sub sandwich.
**Ingredients:**
* Subway-style bread (Italian or Wheat)
* Veggie patty (store-bought or homemade)
* SunChips (Harvest Cheddar or Garden Salsa), crushed
* Egg, beaten
* Lettuce
* Tomato
* Onion
* Your favorite Subway sauce (e.g., Sweet Onion, Ranch)
**Instructions:**
1. **Prepare the Veggie Patty:** If using a frozen veggie patty, cook according to package directions. If making your own, form the patty and cook until browned and heated through.
2. **Create the Crust:** Set up a breading station with beaten egg and crushed SunChips in separate shallow dishes.
3. **Bread the Veggie Patty:** Dip the cooked veggie patty in the beaten egg, and then coat thoroughly with crushed SunChips, pressing to adhere.
4. **Pan-Fry (Optional):** For extra crispness, pan-fry the SunChips-crusted veggie patty in a little oil over medium heat until golden brown.
5. **Assemble the Sandwich:** Slice the Subway-style bread and layer with lettuce, tomato, and onion.
6. **Add the Patty:** Place the SunChips-crusted veggie patty on top of the vegetables.
7. **Sauce it Up:** Drizzle your favorite Subway sauce over the patty.
8. **Enjoy:** Close the sandwich and enjoy the crunchy, savory, and vegetarian-friendly creation.
**PepsiCo Pairing:** Starry (or Sierra Mist) offers a crisp and refreshing complement to the savory flavors of the SunChips and veggie patty.
### 10. Mountain Dew Code Red Glazed Ham (Holiday Special)
This recipe, perfect for a holiday gathering, uses Mountain Dew Code Red to create a unique and flavorful glaze for a ham. While Subway doesn’t typically serve ham this way, the PepsiCo connection provides the inspiration.
**Ingredients:**
* Fully cooked ham
* Mountain Dew Code Red
* Brown sugar
* Dijon mustard
* Ground cloves
**Instructions:**
1. **Prepare the Glaze:** In a saucepan, combine Mountain Dew Code Red, brown sugar, Dijon mustard, and ground cloves. Bring to a simmer over medium heat and cook for 15-20 minutes, or until the glaze has thickened slightly.
2. **Score the Ham:** Score the surface of the ham in a diamond pattern.
3. **Glaze the Ham:** Brush the glaze generously over the ham.
4. **Bake the Ham:** Bake the ham in a preheated oven at 325°F (160°C) for approximately 15-20 minutes per pound, basting with the glaze every 15-20 minutes.
5. **Rest and Slice:** Let the ham rest for 10 minutes before slicing.
6. **Serve and Enjoy:** Serve the Mountain Dew Code Red glazed ham as a centerpiece for your holiday meal.
**PepsiCo Pairing:** Mountain Dew Code Red (served chilled) complements the sweet and tangy flavors of the glazed ham.
## Beyond the Recipes: The Power of Collaboration
These recipes are just a starting point. The beauty of the Subway-PepsiCo partnership lies in its potential for endless culinary creativity. By understanding the flavor profiles of each brand, you can experiment and create your own unique dishes.
**Tips for Experimentation:**
* **Think about Texture:** Combine crunchy elements (like chips or pretzels) with creamy textures (like sauces or cheeses).
* **Consider Contrasting Flavors:** Balance sweet and savory, spicy and mild.
* **Don’t Be Afraid to Experiment:** Try different combinations of ingredients and flavors to discover your new favorite recipe.
* **Adjust to Your Preferences:** Modify the recipes to suit your personal tastes and dietary needs.
The Subway-PepsiCo agreement provides a fantastic platform for culinary innovation. By thinking outside the box (or the sandwich wrapper), we can create delicious and exciting recipes that celebrate the best of both brands. So, get creative, have fun, and enjoy the delicious possibilities!