Coca-Cola Ham Recipe with Brown Sugar Glaze

Watch this quick video tutorial!

There are certain dishes that just look like a holiday when they hit the table, and glazed ham is one of them. Around here, I want the ham to have plenty of flavor without requiring a long list of complicated ingredients.

That's where the Coca-Cola comes in.

As it simmers with brown sugar, honey, mustard, vinegar, and cloves, the soda cooks down into a sticky glaze that balances sweetness with a little tang and warm spice.

Serve it with Southern Mac and Cheese, Collard Greens with Ham Hocks, and Cornbread Dressing for a full holiday plate.

Jump to:

• Watch this quick video tutorial!
• Why You'll Love This Recipe
• Ingredients you'll need
• How to Make Coca-Cola Ham
• LaKita's Expert Tips
• What Temperature Should a Fully Cooked Ham Reach?
• Can I Use a Spiral Ham?
• Can I Make Coca-Cola Ham Ahead?
• Variations and Substitutions
• How Much Ham Do I Need Per Person?
• Storage and Reheating
• What to Serve With Coca-Cola Ham
• Frequently asked questions
• 📖 Recipe
• Did You Make This Recipe?

Why You'll Love This Recipe

• Easy holiday centerpiece: Start with a fully cooked ham, so you're mainly reheating it and building flavor.
• Simple homemade glaze: Coca-Cola, brown sugar, mustard, honey, vinegar, and cloves make a sweet-tangy glaze without anything complicated.
• Feeds a crowd: An 8- to 10-pound ham works well for holidays and family gatherings.
• Make-ahead friendly: The glaze can be prepared ahead, and leftovers reheat well.
• Classic Southern holiday flavor: Sweet glazed ham fits right in beside macaroni and cheese, greens, dressing, and sweet potatoes.

How to Make Coca-Cola Ham

Here's the quick overview. The recipe card below has the full measurements and timing.

1. Prep the Ham

Heat the oven to 325°F.

If you're using an unsliced ham, score the surface in a shallow diamond pattern. Place the ham flat-side down in a large roasting pan.

If you're using a spiral-cut ham, there's no need to score it.

2. Make the Coca-Cola Glaze

Combine the Coca-Cola, brown sugar, mustard, honey, apple cider vinegar, and cloves in a saucepan.

Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer and cook until it reduces slightly and begins to look syrupy.

It will continue to thicken as it cooks on the ham.

3. Glaze the Ham

Pour about half of the glaze over the ham, allowing it to run over the surface and into the scored areas.

Cover the roasting pan tightly with aluminum foil.

4. Bake Until Heated Through

Bake the ham at 325°F, basting occasionally with the pan juices and glaze.

Keep it covered for most of the cooking time so the meat stays moist.

5. Caramelize the Glaze

During the final 20 to 30 minutes, remove the foil and brush or spoon additional glaze over the ham.

Continue baking uncovered until the exterior looks glossy and caramelized.

6. Rest and Serve

Allow the ham to rest for about 10 to 15 minutes before slicing.

Serve with additional warm glaze or pan juices spooned over the slices.

LaKita's Expert Tips

• Check the label before you start. This recipe is written for a fully cooked ham, not a raw fresh ham.
• Regular Coke works best. Diet soda does not reduce and caramelize the same way because it lacks sugar.
• Don't rush the glaze. Give it time to simmer so some of the liquid evaporates and the flavors concentrate.
• Keep spiral ham covered. Those exposed slices can dry out quickly, so foil is your friend.
• Use a thermometer instead of guessing. Check the thickest portion without touching the bone.
• Save some glaze for the finish. Adding fresh glaze near the end gives you that shiny, sticky exterior.
• Let the ham rest before slicing. This makes serving easier and gives the juices time to settle.

What Temperature Should a Fully Cooked Ham Reach?

Because this recipe starts with a fully cooked ham, you're reheating rather than cooking raw pork.

For a fully cooked ham that was packaged in a USDA-inspected processing plant, heat it to 140°F in the center.

If the ham was repackaged outside the original processing plant or you are reheating leftover cooked ham, heat it to 165°F.

Always check the label on the ham you're using and follow any package-specific heating instructions.

Can I Use a Spiral Ham?

Yes.

A spiral-cut ham works well with this recipe, but because it is already sliced, it can lose moisture faster than a whole ham.

Keep it tightly covered with foil while most of it reheats, then uncover it only near the end to caramelize the glaze.

You can also spoon some of the glaze gently between the slices without pulling them apart too much.

Can I Make Coca-Cola Ham Ahead?

Yes.

Make the Glaze Ahead

Prepare the Coca-Cola glaze up to 3 days ahead.

Cool it completely, transfer it to a covered container, and refrigerate.

Reheat it gently before glazing the ham.

Cook the Ham Ahead

If needed, you can bake the ham the day before serving.

Allow it to cool, refrigerate promptly, then reheat it covered at 325°F until the center reaches 165°F because it is now leftover cooked ham.

Add a little reserved glaze before reheating to help keep it moist.

For the best texture and presentation, though, I prefer baking the ham on the day it will be served.

Variations and Substitutions

• Use Dr Pepper: It gives the glaze a slightly spicier flavor profile.
• Use root beer: This produces a sweeter, vanilla-forward glaze.
• Add pineapple: Arrange pineapple rings over the ham before the final uncovered bake for a classic holiday presentation.
• Add cherries: Maraschino cherries can be placed in the centers of the pineapple rings for the full old-school holiday look.
• Use Dijon or grainy mustard: Both work. Dijon gives you a smoother glaze; grainy mustard adds texture.
• Use dark brown sugar: Choose dark brown sugar if you want a deeper molasses flavor.

How Much Ham Do I Need Per Person?

For a bone-in ham, plan on roughly ½ to ¾ pound per person depending on how many side dishes you're serving and whether you want leftovers.

An 8- to 10-pound ham generally works well for a larger family meal and gives you enough for next-day sandwiches, soup, or breakfast.

For a holiday dinner with lots of sides, people often take smaller portions of the main dish than they would at an everyday meal.

Storage and Reheating

Refrigerator

Refrigerate leftover ham within 2 hours of serving.

Store it in an airtight container or wrap it tightly and use within 3 to 4 days.

Freezer

Slice the leftover ham and portion it into freezer-safe containers or bags.

Freeze for up to about 2 months for the best quality.

Adding a spoonful of glaze or pan juices before freezing can help keep the meat moist.

Reheating Slices

For individual slices, cover and microwave in short intervals until heated through.

You can also warm slices gently in a covered skillet with a splash of water or glaze.

Reheating a Larger Portion

Cover the ham tightly with foil and warm it in a 325°F oven.

Because this is leftover cooked ham, reheat it to 165°F.

Avoid leaving it uncovered for the entire reheating time, which can dry it out.

What to Serve With Coca-Cola Ham

Turn it into a full Southern holiday dinner with:

• Southern Mac and Cheese
• Easy Cornbread Dressing
• Easy Candied Yams
• Southern Collard Greens with Ham Hocks
• Easy Green Bean Casserole
• Creamy Mashed Potatoes

And for dessert? A slice of Southern Pecan Pie or Sweet Potato Pie will finish the job.

Frequently asked questions