Coca Cola Ham

This 4-ingredient Coca Cola Ham is a holiday showstopper with minimal prep. The coke adds a molasses slightly sweet glaze to each bite. The perfect recipe for any springtime celebration, cook this low and slow for an easy and impressive main course your guests will love!

Spring has sprung! So it's about time to serve up a spectacular main dish on your Easter or holiday table. A big, beautiful, Coca Cola Glazed Ham is one our favorites. And while it may look intimidating, this recipe only uses 4 ingredients, making it simple to prepare and the perfect meal to impress a group of guests.

With a sweet and tangy brown sugar Coca-Cola glaze, this juicy cola ham hits all the flavor notes. Baked in the oven low and slow, and glazed regularly for a beautiful, caramelized crust, this roast is sure to be a showstopper!

If you're excited about this Coca Cola Glazed Ham, here are some other recipes my family serves for the holidays: try this impressive Ham and Swiss Ring, our Spinach and Bacon Quiche, and these crowd-pleasing Spicy Sausage Balls.

Why This Recipe Works

• Easy To Prepare: With a quick brush of brown sugar and mustard, then cooking low and slow in the oven, this dish couldn't be easier to make.
• 4 Ingredients: Using only 4 ingredients you probably already have in your pantry, this recipe is beyond simple to prep.
• Perfect for a Crowd: Great for a large group with this affordable cut of meat, and it can be served up in so many ways - as a main course, on sandwiches, and more!
• Great for Leftovers: You'll be sure to have plenty of leftovers to use however your tastebuds desire.

What Kind of Ham to Buy

• Fully Cooked Ham: You can find fully cooked hams in a few varieties: spiral sliced (convenient for serving!), boneless, or uncut bone-in, but the key is to get a one that is already fully cooked. They're often "cured" or "smoked".
• Skip Pre-Glazed: Some come already glazed or in a marinade. Start with a ham where you can control all of the added flavor yourself.
• Cook Times for Ham by Weight: Roughly 15 minutes per pound
  • 6 pounds = 90 minutes (1 hour 30 minutes)
  • 7 pounds = 105 minutes (1 hour 45 minutes)
  • 8 pounds = 120 minutes (2 hours)
  • 9 pounds = 135 minutes (2 hours 30 minutes)
  • 10 pounds = 150 minutes (2 hours 45 minutes
  • 11 pounds = 165 minutes (2 hours 45 minutes)
  • 12 pounds = 180 minutes (3 hours)

Ingredients for Coca Cola Ham

Scroll Down for Ingredient Amounts Listed in the Recipe Card Below

• Bone-In Cured or Smoked Ham: The star of the show, a fully-cooked ham is easy to shop for and prepare, and a great cut of meat to serve a crowd. We call for an un-sliced ham, but feel free to get whatever is at the store. Smoked will give a nice subtle flavor, but avoid any that are pre-glazed.
• Coca Cola: Adds a nice signature sweetness to the meat and is key in keeping it moist and tender.
• Dark Brown Sugar: With hints of molasses, this adds a sweet depth of flavor to the ham while also helping to form a nice, caramelized crust on the outside as it cooks
• Dijon Mustard: Adds a tangy bite to the overall flavor and perfectly balances the sweet brown sugar and bold cola.
• Parsley (optional): A bright finishing touch, fresh parsley is a lovely fresh herb to bring everything together when serving.

Tools to Use

• Roasting Pan
• Pairing Knife
• Small Bowl
• Measuring Cups and Spoons
• Liquid Measuring Cups
• Baster

How to Make Coca Cola Ham

1. Preheat oven to 325°F and prepare the ham by scoring the top in a diamond pattern about ¼ inch deep. If desired, insert whole cloves at the intersections of the diamond pattern for added flavor and decoration.

2. Place the ham in a large roasting pan, flat side down, scored side up.
3. In a small bowl, whisk together dark brown sugar and dijon mustard.

4. Brush mixture all over the scored sides.

5. Pour the Coca Cola directly on the bottom the pan, around the ham.

6. Cover the pan with foil and place on the middle rack in the oven. Bake 15 minutes per pound.
7. With 15 minutes of baking time left, remove the foil and baste with the cooking liquid from the bottom of the pan. Bake the remaining 15 minutes uncovered.

8. Baste the ham again, remove from oven and rest 10 minutes.
9. Transfer to a cutting board to slice. Pour the excess glaze from the pan in a gravy bowl to serve alongside the sliced ham, and garnish with fresh parsley if desired.

Expert Tips

• Insert cloves after scoring. For a little extra flavor and presentation, insert whole cloves into the diamond pattern after scoring. It's a classic technique and tastes delicious, if you've got another minute for this step.
• Use smooth mustard. The sharp tanginess of dijon pairs perfectly with ham. Use a smooth version for the glaze here - the seeds in a whole grain variety might burn and won't be great by the end of cooking.
• Rub in brown sugar mixture. Be sure to fully rub the brown sugar-mustard mixture into the scored skin of the ham. Get all of the crevices to make sure flavor hits everywhere!
• Be liberal with basting. Use plenty of glaze when basting to keep the ham tender and moist.
• Use extra cola to thin out glaze. If it seems like the glaze at the bottom of the pan is getting too thick or starting to overcook, add ¼ cup of cola to the bottom and stir before basting the meat.
• Let the ham rest before slicing. Avoid slicing ham immediately after baking - let it rest at least 10 minutes to keep all of the delicious juices in, and to keep them from running out onto your cutting board instead.
• Instant Pot: Here's another ham that would be great for your holiday table. Instant Pot Boneless Ham has just two ingredients and is made in one pot.

What to Serve with Coca Cola Ham

This sweet holiday ham is a delicious main course that should be served with side dishes that are just as special and satisfying! Some of our favorites are hearty vegetable sides like Gremolata Green Beans, Whipped Mashed Potatoes, Honey Roast Parsnips, or our Loaded House Salad.

And for something sweet to top off the meal, we love serving this ham with our Green Jelly Salad and festive Mini Carrot Cakes.

Storage Instructions

Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days. You can also freeze the ham slices in a airtight container for up to 2 months. Thaw on the counter at room temperature for an hour or so or in the fridge overnight.

To reheat leftover ham and prevent it from drying out, you can microwave for 1 to 2 minutes until hot. A second option is to add the ham to a piece of foil with a little bit of stock and reheat in a 300ºF oven for 8 to 10 minutes until warmed through.

FAQs