Southern Coca-Cola Glazed Ham Recipe

This Southern Coca-Cola Ham recipe is a classic dish that combines the sweetness of Coca-Cola with savory ham for a delicious and flavorful meat that's perfect to share with your family for any special occasion. 

Try pairing this baked ham recipe with some Southern Mac and Cheese, Collard Greens, and Cornbread for a complete family or holiday meal. 

With just a handful of simple ingredients such as soda, brown sugar, mustard, and cloves, you can transform an ordinary ham into a show-stopping centerpiece for any special occasion or holiday feast.

Whether you're hosting a festive Easter brunch, a cozy family dinner, or a summertime barbecue, Southern Coca-Cola ham is sure to impress your guests and leave them coming back for seconds or maybe even thirds.

Let's get started!

What Kind of Ham Works Best? 

The Coca-Cola ham recipe can be made with various types of ham, as long as it is fully cooked. Here are some common types of ham that you can use for this recipe:

• Bone-In Ham: A bone-in ham, whether it's a whole ham or a portion like the shank or butt end, is a popular choice for making a good coca cola ham recipe. The ham bone adds flavor and helps keep the meat moist while cooking.
• Spiral Cut Ham: A spiral ham is pre-sliced in a spiral pattern around the bone, making it easy to serve and carve. This type of ham works well because the slices allow the flavors of the glaze to penetrate the meat.
• Boneless Ham: A boneless ham, which has had the bone removed, is another great option. Boneless hams are typically easier to slice and may cook slightly faster than bone-in hams.
• Pre-Cooked Ham or Fully Cooked Ham: Whether it's labeled as precooked or fully cooked, any ham that's already cooked through is perfect for this recipe. This includes hams that have been smoked, cured, or brined.

Ingredients You'll Need 

1. Ham - The main ingredient! You'll need an 8 to 10-pound fully cooked bone-in ham for this recipe that can be located in the meat section of the grocery store. It can be a spiral-cut ham or not, whichever you prefer. If your ham comes with a packet of brown sugar glaze, then you can set that aside because we'll be making our own Coca-Cola glaze. 
2. Coca-Cola - The secret ingredient. Be sure to use regular cola and not Diet Coke. Dr Pepper, root beer, or any regular dark soft drink could be used instead.
3. Brown Sugar - You can use either depending on your preference, light brown sugar or dark brown sugar. I do find that dark brown sugar has more molasses and makes for a richer flavor glaze. 
4. Mustard - Be sure to use grainy mustard (stone ground mustard) or Dijon mustard. Avoid using honey mustard or yellow mustard for this recipe to help balance the sweetness with a bit of tangy flavor. 
5. Honey - Helps to make the glaze sticky and sweet. Also balances the saltiness of the ham. 
6. Apple Cider Vinegar - Adds in some much needed acid and helps to balance the sweet flavors of the glaze. 
7. Cloves - This is optional but gives the ham that classic flavor. Use ground cloves in the glaze or if you prefer to add whole cloves to the top of the ham before topping it with the glaze, then you can do that instead. 

See the recipe card below for exact ingredient quantities and instructions.

How to Make Coca-Cola Ham

Begin the recipe by adjusting the oven rack low enough to the point there is enough oven space to fit the ham. Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F. Score the surface of the ham in a diamond pattern using a sharp knife, making cuts about ¼ inch deep. Place the ham in a large roasting pan, flat side down.

In a saucepan, combine the Coca-Cola, brown sugar, mustard, honey, apple cider vinegar, and cloves. Bring the mixture to a low simmer over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until the sugar has dissolved and the sauce has thickened slightly, about 15-20 minutes.

Pour about half of the Coca-Cola mixture over the ham, making sure to get it all over and into the cuts.

Cover the ham loosely with aluminum foil and bake in the preheated oven for about 1 hour and 30 minutes, or until the internal temperature of the ham reaches 140 degrees F. on a digital thermometer.

Remove the foil during the last 20 to 30 minutes of cooking to allow the glaze to caramelize and become golden brown.

Once the ham is cooked through and glazed to perfection, remove it from the oven, and allow it to rest for about 10 to 15 minutes before slicing to serve. Serve warm with the remaining glaze on the side for drizzling or dipping. Enjoy!

Best Ham Recipe Tips & Tricks 

• To add a little something extra, you can garnish the top of the ham with pineapple slices and maraschino cherries before serving. 
• While the ham is baking, baste it frequently with the glaze to infuse it with flavor and keep it moist. Basting every 20-30 minutes will help ensure that the ham is evenly coated with the glaze.
• Once the ham finishes cooking, allow it to rest for about 10-15 minutes before slicing. This allows the juices to redistribute and keeps the ham moist and tender.
• Simmer the coca-cola ham glaze until it thickens slightly, this will make sure that it coats the ham beautifully.

Storage Tips

Storage: After your Coca-Cola ham has been cooked and served, allow any remaining ham to cool to room temperature. Then, wrap the leftover ham tightly in aluminum foil or plastic wrap and store it in the refrigerator. Leftover Coca-Cola ham can typically be stored in the refrigerator for 3 to 4 days.

Freezing: If you have a large amount of leftover ham or won't be able to consume it within a few days, you can freeze the leftovers for longer-term storage. To freeze leftover ham, wrap it tightly in plastic wrap or aluminum foil (tin foil), then place it in a resealable freezer bag or airtight container. Frozen Coca-Cola ham can typically be stored in the freezer for 1 to 2 months.

Reheating: When you're ready to enjoy your leftover ham, there are several methods you can use to reheat it:

• Oven: Preheat your oven to 325°F. Place the leftover ham in a baking dish, cover it loosely with aluminum foil, and reheat it in the oven until warmed, about 15-20 minutes per pound.
• Microwave: For a quicker option, you can reheat individual slices of ham in the microwave. Place the ham on a microwave-safe plate, cover it with a damp paper towel to prevent it from drying out, and microwave it in 30-second increments until warm.
• Stovetop: If you prefer, you can reheat leftover ham slices on the stovetop. Heat a skillet over medium-high heat, add a little oil or butter, and cook the ham slices for a few minutes on each side until warmed through.

More Recipes You'll Love 

• Crock Pot Beef Stew
• Collard Greens with Ham Hocks
• Slow Cooker Black Eyed Peas and Pork Chops 
• Southern Mac and Cheese Recipe 
• Easy Southern Meatloaf Recipe 
• Chicken and Broccoli Casserole 
• Ham, Green Beans, and Potatoes
• Sour Cream Mashed Potatoes

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