This easy Coca Cola Ham recipe uses just three simple ingredients to make a perfect Holiday ham worthy of any Southern table.
Why This Recipe Works
When it comes to making a ham, there are quite a few specifics that help it come out moist, flavorful, and ready to be enjoyed.
This coke ham recipe, unlike many others, recognizes that you may not be choosing the exact same ham that I did and tells you what adjustments to make to get the same outcome no matter what you choose.
For example, the amount of glaze a coca cola ham recipe makes may burn and turn as thick as sludge if you choose a ham that is bigger than the recipe calls for.
Save yourself the hassle and let this recipe do the work for you.
What's Goes Into the Recipe?
- Ham. It doesn't matter whether you choose spiral sliced or uncut as long as you get a fully cooked ham. Heck, you can even get boneless if you want. Just make sure that the ham is fully cooked and hasn't already been glazed with added flavors. (Note: smoked isn't the same as added flavors.)
- Coca Cola. You can substitute the coke in this ham recipe with any other dark soda or generic brand. The recipe calls for ¼ cup (or four ounces) per pound of ham.
- Mustard. Dijon mustard is ham's best friend. A little added to the glaze gives it a hint of acid and tang. Go for a smooth dijon instead of whole-grain though. The seeds in whole grain won't be great by the end of cooking.
- Brown sugar. I prefer dark brown because it has more depth of flavor, but this coca cola ham works whatever you have on hand. It'll still be delicious.
How To Make This Recipe
Preheat the oven to 325°F. Place the ham's largest cut side down in the pan for a spiral cut ham. Do it fat side up for an uncut ham. (See notes for more about uncut hams.)
In a small bowl combine the brown sugar, coca-cola, and dijon mustard.
Pour the coca cola mixture over the top of the ham and use your hands to rub the brown sugar into the ham. It won't all stay on the ham, but that's okay.
Cover the ham TIGHTLY with aluminum foil and put it in the oven.
Bake the coke ham for 30 minutes then remove the foil and baste it with the juices from the pan.
Cover it again with the foil (as tightly as possible, see notes for tips) and repeat every 30 minutes until heated through.
Remove the foil and baste the ham one last time. Cook the ham UNCOVERED for 15 minutes to help the glaze become caramelized and crusty.
Take the ham from the oven, douse it in the glaze one last time and let it rest for 15 minutes before slicing or serving.
Expert Tips
- The roasting rack is entirely optional for making coca cola ham. I like it because it helps the ham stay crisper and become roasted instead of baked. This is all personal preference though.
- If you choose to do an uncut bone-in ham, use a sharp knife to score the fatty top about ¼" deep. Make 3-4 lines going one direction, the criss-cross them with 3-4 lines in the opposite direction, making diamonds in the top. Cook it with the fat side up.
- When you pour the coca cola glaze over the ham, it won't be fully smooth. The brown sugar will settle in the bottom of the bowl a bit, so just rub what you can into the ham at the beginning.
- Fully cooked hams cook roughly based on weight; 15 minutes per pound. Use the guide below to find the cooking time for yours.
- If you notice that the glaze is getting too thick, add an extra ¼ cup of Coca-Cola to the pan before basting.
Cook Times for Ham by Weight
- 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)
If your coke ham weighs somewhere in between, round for your cook time. If it's a little below, as long as the ham is tightly covered the whole time, it will finish reaching the desired 140°F internal temperature during resting.
FAQ's
For a boneless ham, expect ½ - ¾ pounds per person. For a bone-in ham, assume one pound per person.
Yes, this ham can be made with any dark soda, like Pepsi, Dr. Pepper, Root Beer, or their generic or branded counterparts.
The most important thing is to keep the ham moist. This is done by tightly trapping at least one cup of liquid in the pan with aluminum foil. Then, as it cooks the steam keeps the ham moist. If you are basting your ham, the foil will lose integrity and begin to rip each time to remove and replace it. Consider using fresh foil halfway through cooking.
Ham is extremely salty so ham glaze is made of sweeteners to balance the saltiness. This is usually a sugar like a maple syrup, brown sugar, or honey with a liquid-like juice, soda, or fruit preserve with water. Any other ingredients are there just for a flavor boost.
Related Recipes
Besides the standard holiday ham fare, this coca cola ham pairs really nicely with vegetable heavy salads. Some of my favorites are:
Coca-Cola Ham
Ingredients
- 1 pound ham, bone-in recommended (see tips for choosing the right size for you)
- ¼ cup Coca Cola, plus more as needed*
- ½ teaspoon smooth dijon mustard
- 1 Tablespoon packed brown sugar
Instructions
- Put the number of pounds of your ham into the portion scaler at the top of this recipe card to get the right glaze amounts.
- Preheat oven to 325°F. Place a ham largest cut side down inside of a roasting pan with high sides.
- In a bowl stir together the dijon, brown sugar, and coke. Pour it over the ham and rub the sugar into the ham as best as possible.
- Cover the roasting pan TIGHTLY with foil and bake for 30 minutes. Remove the foil and baste the ham all over with the juices from the pan. Recover, keeping the foil as tight as possible and repeat every 30 minutes until cooked.
- Remove the foil and baste the ham again. Bake uncovered for 15 minutes to help the glaze get crisp. Take the ham out of the oven and let it rest for 15 minutes before slicing and serving.
Notes
- The roasting rack is entirely optional in the roasting pan. I like it because it helps the ham stay crisper and become roasted instead of baked.
- If you choose to do an uncut ham, use a sharp knife to score the fatty top about ¼" deep. Make 3-4 lines going one direction, the criss-cross them with 3-4 lines in the opposite direction, making diamonds in the top. Cook it with the fat side up.
- When you pour the glaze over the ham, it won't be fully smooth. The brown sugar will settle in the bottom of the bowl a bit, so just rub what you can into the ham at the beginning.
- Fully cooked hams cook roughly based on weight; 15 minutes per pound. Use the guide below to find the cooking time for yours.
- *If you notice that the glaze is getting too thick, add an extra ¼ cup of Coca-Cola to the pan before basting.
- 6 pounds = 90 minutes (1 ½ hours)
- 7 pounds - 105 minutes (1 hour 45 minutes)
- 8 pounds = 120 minutes (2 hours)
- 9 pounds = 135 minutes (2 hours 15 minutes)
- 10 pounds = 150 minutes (2 hours 30 minutes)
- 11 pounds = 165 minutes (2 hours 45 minutes)
- 12 pounds = 180 minutes (3 hours)
What are your thoughts?